38 COUCH GRASS. TEASEL. 
52. CO UCH, or SQ I] ITCH GRASS ( Triticum 
repens, Fig 36), is, in general, considered a trouble- 
some and pernicious weed. The roots strike so deeply 
into the ground, and extend so widely, that the eradi- 
cating of them is frequently attended with difficulty. 
As the plant lies upon the ground it strikes out fibres 
from every joint; and so luxuriant is it sometimes 
seen, that a single joint, when transplanted, has, in the 
course of twelve months, covered a square yard of 
land. 
The roots of couch grass are collected in large quan- 
tities at Naples, and sold in the market as food for 
horses. They have a sweetish taste, somewhat resem- 
bling that of liquorice; and, in times of scarcity, when 
dried and ground into meal, they have been converted 
into bread. A decoction of the roots is sometimes used 
in medicine. 
CLASS IV. TETRANDRIA. 
MONOGYNIA. 
53. TEASEL (Dipsacus fullonem) is a plant, with a some- 
what egg-shaped head of Jlowers, and hard reflected scales, 
which is cultivated in several parts of England, to be used in the 
carding ofzcoollen cloth. 
The Fuller s Teasel is distinguished from other plants of the 
same tribe by having its leaves connected at the base, the flower 
scales hooked, and the general calyx reflected or bent back. 
The seeds of this plant are usually sown in strong 
rich land, about the commencement of spring. The 
flowers appear in July, and the blossoms begin to decay 
in the following month. Shortly after this the heads 
are cut off, and exposed daily to the sun until they are 
perfectly dried. 
