Part 63

The blossoms begin to open at the base of the cluster and continue upward, leaving behind the partly formed berries; when ripe they form a cluster of blue-black fruit, smooth-skinned, and with an abundant crimson juice. The Pokeberry is a plant of homely gesture and a rather strong odor, redeemed by its luxuriant growth, and the fine quality of its foliage. The berries are favorites of children who squeeze them to use their deep magenta-crimson juice for writing and painting and dyeing purposes.

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY.

POLYGONACEÆ.

*Red Sorrel.* Rumex Acetosella. *Sheep Sorrel.* *Horse Sorrel.*

Found everywhere in impoverished soil during May and June.

Many slender, leafy stems from 6 to 12 inches in height, and bearing flowers terminally, spring from a foot-tuffet of leaves.

The lower leaves are pointed, with long and flaring wing-like bases (“halberd-shape”); they are set on long grooved stems; the upper leaves are similar in shape, or Jack the winged bases, and are set on short stems. Their margins are entire and their texture is thick, juicy, and porous, with a smooth surface; gray-green in color. They are acid to the taste.

The very tiny flower has 6 petal-like parts, and many stamens, and is in color a bright yellow-green, turning to reddish- or crimson-tawny. The flowers are arranged irregularly on branching stems in a feathery spire.

Spreading by underground runners, the Red Sorrel colors the dry fields of early summer with its rich hues, and children love its fresh leaves for their tart flavor; but few give its feathery plumes their meed of praise, since it is nothing more than “a common weed.”

*Tear-thumb.* Polygonum sagittatum.

Found blossoming on swampy ground, and along ditches, from July to October.

The weak-fibred, 4-angled, stalk, armed on the angles with sharp saw-toothed prickles, that point downwards, is green in color.

The long arrow-shaped leaves have short foot-stems, and grow singly, at long intervals; they have entire edges, and a smooth surface, though the back of the midrib is set with small prickles; they are fine in texture, and of a dark green color.

The little 5-parted flowers, white, or rose colored, grow in small close heads, on the ends of smooth foot-stems, from the angles of the upper leaves.

The leaves are pretty in shape and color, though so far apart as to make small impression on the passer-by; the lopping stalk supports itself on the surrounding vegetation by means of its backward pointing prickles; it turns a russet-red in autumn. A shining, brown, 3-angled seed is developed within the long-lasting flower.

*Knotweed.* Polygonum Pennsylvanicum.

Found in barrens and waste places in August and September.

Branching much and sprawling in manner, this plant grows from 1 to 3 feet in height; it is jointed, noticeably shining, and smooth except for the new growths and flower-stems which are rough with hairs. Its color is green, somewhat red at the joints, which are covered loosely by sheaths of a coarse weak fabric.

The leaf is long-pointed at each end, and roughened by hairs on the ribs, edges, and upper surface; the texture is flimsy, and the color a crude green. The arrangement is alternate.

The small and inconspicuous flowers are 5-parted, and vary from pink to green-white in color; they are tightly and irregularly bunched in a terminal club-shaped spike, with a little leaf at its base--frequently a second bunch of flowers occurs a little lower down the stem.

Found commonly in great masses the plant serves to hide the ugly remnants man casts into the fields it chooses for its habitation.

*----* Polygonum amphibium.

Found in swamps in September and October.

The single stem, 3 or 4 inches high, bears a few leaves, and is large, round, hollow, and juicy; a dull-reddish-green color, that is dark near the foot.

The leaf (varying from 2 to 5 inches in length) is oblong with a pointed tip and wedge- or heart-shaped base, an entire margin, and prominent midrib; it has a thin, leathery texture, and a very smooth shining surface; in color it is dark green, much toned with dull red, the midrib lighter. The leaves, on short stout stems, clasp the stalk with a dry, red-brown sheath enfolding the joint; they are placed alternately.

The flowers are 5-parted, the tips of the divisions seldom spreading, of a bright rose-pink, coarse hue. They are gathered in a close club, set on a short, terminal, green stem.

The lower of the three or four leaves float upon the surface of the water or lie on the mud of this plant’s miry home.

BIRTHWORT FAMILY.