82 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
has branches, with small leaves on the stems of 
the branches. Flowers, about same size as Catsear 
flowers. 
(5) SOWTHISTLE, also called “Milky Thistle” 
and “Rauriki” (Maori). Larger plant than the 
others in this group—usually found in ground that 
has been previously cultivated. Leaves, lobed, 
slightly prickly, succulent, dark green, sometimes 
having a purplish tinge: popular food for tame 
rabbits. Shape and size are approximately same as 
dandelion leaves. Flowers, yellow. Notes: The 
Maoris cook the leaves and use them as a vegetable. 
Finches and canaries are fond of the seeds. 
NOTE—Easiest plan of identification is to 
examine (1) stem, (2) leaf, (3) flower. 
POISONOUS PLANTS 
The following are more or less poisonous, and 
young scholars should be warned against putting 
parts of them in their mouths:— 
(1) Hemlock: All parts. 
(2) Buttercups: Leaves, flowers and seeds, espec¬ 
ially unripe seeds. 
(3) Privet (hedge shrub): The small black berries. 
(4) Sorrel: The leaves contain salts of lemon, 
which are harmful to children. 
(5) Nightshade (see p. 95): All parts, but espec¬ 
ially the purplish black berries. 
(6) Ivy: The dark black berries, which grow in 
winter, are eaten by birds, but are harmful to 
children. 
(7) Flannel Leaf (see p. 87) : The seed only. 
