=Indian Mallow. American Jute. Velvet Leaf.= _Abutilon Theophrasti_
Medic. _Abutilon Abutilon_ (L.) _Rusby_. Flowers yellow; seeds brown,
flattened, 3.5-4 mm. long, ovoid excepting a piece cut from one side of
the smaller end with 3-4 curved rows of minute slender objects on each
side, the raphe extending from the pointed end to the notch on one side
(half anatropous). Naturalized from northern Asia.
[Illustration: Fig. 129.]
=Bladder Ketmia.= _Hibiscus Trionum_ L. Seed brown, the surface dotted
with numerous, ragged, light-colored pimples. Think of the shape as
obovoid, and then bent somewhat to the side. As now found the seed is
triangular in outline with rounded corners, considerably thinned toward
one corner near which is the seed scar in the midst of a depression.
Each side of the triangle is about 2 mm. long. Introduced from Europe.
Not yet a prominent weed in Michigan.
[Illustration: Fig. 130.]
=Cheeses. Running Mallow.= _Malva rotundifolia_ L. Flowers white;
cluster of 12-15 fruits flattened, circular with depression on each
side, ovary circular, wedge-shaped, very slightly roughened, with
radiating ridges; seeds light brown, nearly smooth, flattened, 1.4-1.7
mm. in diameter, wedge shaped, nearly circular with a small notch on the
thin edge. Naturalized from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 131.]
=Whorled Mallow.= _Malva verticillata._ L. Flowers white; cluster of
10-12 fruits flattened, circular with depression on each side, carpel
circular, wedge-shaped, about three rows of irregular shallow pits on
the wide edge, radiating ridges on each flat side; seeds light brown,
nearly smooth, flattened, wedge-shaped, ovate or nearly circular,
1.5-1.7 mm. long, with a small notch on the thin edge. Introduced from
the west.
[Illustration: Fig. 132.]
=Prickly Sida.= _Sida spinosa_ L. Seed smooth, dull brown or reddish
brown, having one side round and two sides flat or more or less concave,
all edges obtuse while lying on one flat side, broadly ovoid, with one
side nearly straight, scar at the larger end in the midst of a slight
depression, 1.5-1.8 mm. long. Not yet common in Michigan. Introduced
from the tropics.
ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY. HYPERICACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 133.]
=Common St. John's-wort.= _Hypericum perforatum_ L. Seed dark brown,
mottled with about twenty-four vertical rows of small scars, short
oblong, 1 mm. long, a little more or less, circular in cross-section, a
slight point at one or both ends. Troublesome in old meadows and
pastures. From Europe.
EVENING-PRIMROSE FAMILY. ONAGRACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 134.]
=Small-flowered Gaura.= _Gaura parviflora_ Dougl. Achenes greenish
brown, at first glance, having the appearance of barley, linear, swollen
in the middle, more or less grooved or channeled, 6-8 mm. long.
Introduced from the South.
[Illustration: Fig. 135.]
=Common Evening-Primrose.= _Oenothera biennis_ L. _Onagra biennis_ (L.)
Scop. Flowers yellow; seeds reddish brown or darker, surface dull,
minutely ridged, very irregular in shape owing to crowding in the pod,
more or less pyramidal and four or five sided, the angles acute or with
a wing-like border, 1.-1.5 mm. long. Native to this country.
PARSLEY FAMILY. UMBELLIFERAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 136.]
=Water Hemlock.= =Mosquash Root.= =Beaver Poison.= _Cicuta maculata_ L.
Achenes, when young grow in couples joined by their flat sides, broadly
oval, somewhat flattened, a single one-half oval, 2.7-3.2 mm long, with
five corky yellowish white vertical stripes alternating with four brown
oil tubes, the flat side with two wide light corky stripes including two
brown oil tubes. The roots are very poisonous. Native to Michigan and
elsewhere. Moist or wet lands.
[Illustration: Fig. 137.]
=Poison Hemlock.= _Conium maculatum_ L. Flowers white, achenes growing
in pairs, light brown, oval, flat on one side, five ribs extending from
one end to the other, between them the surface abounds in minute
vertical projections, achene about 3.5 mm. long. Difficult to identify.
Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 138.]
=Wild Carrot.= _Daucus Carota_ L. Flowers white; achenes light brown,
striped with white, oval, flattened, bearing numerous frail spines
along the edges and in two rows lengthwise of one face, tips of spines
diverging, often hooked, about 3.5 mm. long not including the spines.
Introduced from Europe. This is the cultivated carrot escaped from
fields and gardens. A great pest in old meadows.
[Illustration: Fig. 139.]
=Wild Parsnip.= _Pastinaca sativa_ L. Flowers yellow; achenes growing in
pairs, 5-6 mm. long, with flat sides together, light brown, broad oval,
much flattened, surrounded by a narrow thin ridge, 9-curved shallow ribs
on one side. Introduced from Europe.
MILKWEED FAMILY. ASCLEPIADACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 140.]
=Common Milkweed.= _Asclepias Syriaca_ L. Pods 8-12 cm. long, covered
with soft spiny processes; seeds dull light brown, much flattened,
narrowly obovate, 6.5-8 mm. long, the small end truncate, surrounded by
a broad wrinkled wing-margin or hem. The concave side bears a slender
vertical ridge (raphe) for two-thirds of its length; the convex side
bearing fine, short ridges. Before escaping from the pods, the small end
of the seed contains a cluster of spreading silky hairs (coma) 2-3 cm.
long. Native of this country. Often troublesome and conspicuous in light
soil, occasionally becoming small, pale, with slender branches and
dying.
[Illustration: Fig. 141.]
=Black Swallow-wort.= _Cynanchum nigrum_ (L.) Pers. _Vincetoxicum
nigrum_ Moench. Smooth pods of the vine about 5 cm. long; seeds brown
when dry, much flattened, concave, obovate, 6-8 mm. long, nearly
surrounded by a wing margin or hem, the small end truncate. The concave
side bears a slender vertical ridge (raphe) for over half its length,
both sides bearing fine short ridges. Before escaping from the pods, the
small end of the seed contains a cluster of spreading silky hairs.
Introduced from Europe; not yet common, but it is persistent where once
started.
MORNING GLORY FAMILY. CONVOLVULACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 142.]
=Small Bindweed.= _Convolvulus arvensis_ L. Color of seeds dull dark
brown, coarsely roughened, oval, 3-4 mm. long, one face convex, the
other face sloping to the edges from a broad, central ridge, becoming
mucilaginous when soaked in water. Introduced from Europe. Seldom, if
ever, seeding in Michigan. On dry, poor land.
[Illustration: Fig. 143.]
=Hedge or Great Bindweed.= _Convolvulus sepium_ L. Pod nearly globose,
about 8 mm. in diameter, usually covered by the bracts and calyx; seeds
dull black or dark brown, roughened, oval, about 5 mm. long, one face
convex, the other face sloping to the edges from a central ridge. Native
to this country. Seldom seeding in Michigan. On low land.
[Illustration: Fig. 144.]
=Field Dodder.= _Cuscuta arvensis_ Beyrich. A pale yellow leafless
parasitic vine; seeds dull, yellowish brown, minutely pitted,
considerably resembling those of red clover, broad oval, ovoid or
spherical, .7-1 mm. long, one side rounded the other often with two flat
surfaces terminating in a ridge. Not uncommon with alfalfa.
[Illustration: Fig. 145.]
=Flax Dodder.= _Cuscuta Epilinum_ Weihe. Stems very slender, yellow or
red, a parasitic vine; seeds dull, yellowish to dark brown, minutely
pitted, nearly spherical, oval, ovoid, 1-1.5 mm. long. Introduced from
Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 146.]
=Clover Dodder.= _Cuscuta Epithymum_ Murr. Stems very slender, a
parasitic vine; seeds oval to spherical, dull, pitted, color yellowish,
light to dark brown, light green to purple, about 2 mm. long. Introduced
from Europe. Occasionally found on red clover.
[Illustration: Fig. 147.]
=Gronovius Dodder.= _Cuscuta Gronovii_ Willd. Seed light to dark brown,
surface minutely granular, free from gloss, a few spherical, most of
them indented as they dry or variously angled where they crowded against
each other in the pod, 1.5-1.7 mm. in diameter. Species of dodder are
difficult to distinguish one from the other. This is common on low land,
where it draws nourishment from a great variety of plants, such as
willows, balsams, nettles.
[Illustration: Fig. 148.]
=Spanish Dodder.= _Cuscuta planiflora_ Tenore. Color light to dark pink,
purple buff, olive green; surface well roughened, almost reticulated, in
shape flattened on one side, ovoid, oval angled, indented in great
variety, 0.7-1.2 mm. long.
BORAGE FAMILY. BORAGINACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 149.]
=Hound's Tongue.= _Cynoglossum officinale_ L. Flowers reddish purple;
ovary brown deeply 4-lobed separating into four achenes, 5-7 mm. long,
flattened, broadly ovate or circular, excepting a slight extension at
one end, lower side having an ovate scar, nearly half as long as the
achenes, all the rest of the surface clothed with straight, stiff,
cap-shaped hairs, bearded on all sides. Introduced from Europe. Very
objectionable in pastures.
[Illustration: Fig. 150.]
=Stick-Seed. Burr Seed.= _Lappula echinata_ Gilibert. _Lappula Lappula_
(L.) Karst. Flowers blue, ovary deeply 4-lobed separating into four
warty achenes, each one brown, about 2.5 mm. long, slightly flattened,
ovate with wedge-shaped apex; the upper side bearing a few stiff
straight, diverging cap-shaped hairs, bearded on all sides; lower side
destitute of hairs, bearing a straight ridge from the point to the
middle of the large end. Introduced from Europe. Very objectionable in
pastures.
[Illustration: Fig. 151.]
=Wild Comfrey.= _Lappula Virginiana_ (L.) Greene. Flowers blue; ovary
deeply 4-lobed separating into four brown achenes, about 3 mm. long,
flattened on upper side, broadly ovate, the apex wedge-shaped, the upper
side clothed with stiff straight cap-shaped hairs, bearded on all sides;
lower side a low 4-sided cone, nearly smooth with a concave triangular
scar. Native to rich woodlands.
[Illustration: Fig. 152.]
=Red Root. Wheat Thief. Corn Gromwell.= _Lithospermum arvense_ L.
Flowers white; ovary 4-divided separating into four hard, conical-ovoid
achenes, each dull gray, erect, wrinkled, 2.5-3 mm. long, convex on the
back, keeled on the inner side, base obliquely truncate, containing two
minute white tubercles. A prominent weed of high rank in fields of
winter wheat.
VERVAIN FAMILY. VERBENACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 153.]
=Blue Vervain.= _Verbena hastata_ L. Achenes crowded, four together
until mature, dull, reddish brown, flattened, oblong, 1.7-2 mm. long,
bordered by a narrow margin, the outer face convex, bearing 3-5 small
vertical ridges branching and uniting at the apex, forming a distinct
network, the inner face sloping to the margin from a central vertical
ridge; a light colored scar is seen on one side of the base. Native to
this country. Not important.
[Illustration: Fig. 154.]
=Nettle-leaved Vervain.= _Verbena urticifolia_ L. Achenes 1.6-1.8 mm.
long, very closely resembling the last above mentioned. The achenes of
this one are a trifle shorter and broader, more nearly oval than oblong.
Native to this country. Not common in fields.
MINT FAMILY. LABIATAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 155.]
=Dead Nettle.= _Lamium amplexicaule_ L. Achenes light brown,
conspicuously marked by white spots some of which coalesce making the
surface striped crosswise, obovate-oblong, pointed at the smaller end,
1.5-2 mm. long, the outer surface rounded, the inner face angled, the
concave surfaces sloping to the edges from a central vertical ridge.
Introduced from Europe. Thrives in cool weather.
[Illustration: Fig. 156.]
=Motherwort.= _Leonurus Cardiaca_ L. Achenes light brown,
obovoid-oblong, rounded on one side flat on the other two sides, the
truncate apex hairy, 2-2.4 mm. long. Introduced from Europe. Waste
places.
[Illustration: Fig. 157.]
=White Hoarhound.= _Marubium vulgare_ L. Achenes dull, varying from
light to dark brown, sometimes finely roughened by numerous minute
tubercles, slightly flattened, oval or obovoid, about 2 mm. long, outer
surface convex, inner face angled sloping to the edges from a central
vertical ridge, edges of achenes often slightly margined, surface
lightly grooved. Introduced from Europe. A weed in northern Michigan
where snow protects it in winter.
[Illustration: Fig. 158.]
=Catnip. Catmint.= _Nepeta Cataria_ L. Achenes dull, light reddish brown
to nearly black, with two laterally placed cavities near the base, each
filled with white spongey tissue, broadly oval, slightly flattened,
1.3-1.7 mm. long. Introduced from Europe. Scarcely a weed.
[Illustration: Fig. 159.]
=Self-heal. Heal-all.= _Prunella vulgaris_ L. Achenes light to dark
brown, slightly roughened, having a diffused luster, slightly flattened,
oval or oblong, the base tapering to a small whitish, triangular
appendage, outer side convex having dark verticle lines, the other face
sloping to the edges from a central ridge, becoming mucilaginous when
soaked in water. Native to this country.
NIGHT SHADE FAMILY. SOLANACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 160.]
=Jimson Weed. Thorn-apple.= _Datura Stramonium_ L. Pods ovoid, densely
prickly, about 4 cm. long; seeds black to brown, flattened, with 6-10
slight irregular elevations, the whole surface covered with minute
shallow pits, short kidney shaped, i. e., one edge nearly straight or
slightly notched, the remainder of the margin making about two-thirds of
a circle. 3-3.5 mm. long. Most likely introduced from Asia. A coarse,
poisonous weed found in waste places.
[Illustration: Fig. 161.]
=Purple Jimson Weed. Purple Thorn-apple.= _Datura Tatula._ The color of
the stems are purple, the flowers and pods nearly the same as those last
above; seeds of the two scarcely if at all unlike. Naturalized from
tropical America. Waste places.
[Illustration: Fig. 162.]
=Horse Nettle.= _Solanum Carolinense_ L. Berry orange-yellow, 1.6 to 2
cm. in diameter; seeds lemon yellow, slightly double convex, obovate
2.1-2.9 mm. long, surface finely granular all over. Native of the
southwest U. S. It spreads rapidly by long roots.
[Illustration: Fig. 163.]
=Black Nightshade.= _Solanum nigrum_ L. Berry black, smooth, globose,
8-10 mm. in diameter; seeds finely granular, dull, yellowish to light
brown, flattened, unsymmetrically ovate, about 1.5 mm. long. Native to
this country. I have the best of authority for saying that these berries
when ripe make good pies, whether the uncooked fruit is poisonous there
is less proof. Of little importance.
[Illustration: Fig. 164.]
=Beaked Nightshade.= _Solanum rostratum_ Dunal. Fruit surrounded by a
persistent prickly calyx about 2 cm. long; seeds flattened, irregularly
undulate or wrinkled, dark brown or black, usually ovate or circular in
outline, 2-2.5 mm. in diameter, surface covered with small pits.
Introduced into Michigan from the southwest. A coarse prickly weed.
FIGWORT FAMILY. SCROPHULARIACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 165.]
=Butter and Eggs. Toad-Flax.= _Linaria vulgaris_ Hill. _Linaria Linaria_
(L.) Karst. Flowers yellow and orange; seeds dark brown or black, flat,
circular or oval, surrounded by a broad wing-margin, the wing notched
and covered by numerous fine radiating ridges, the surface of the seed
roughened by numerous projecting points, seed, including its wing, 1.5-2
mm. long. Introduced from Europe. A vigorous weed in meadows, spreading
by seeds and by root stocks.
[Illustration: Fig. 166.]
=Moth Mullein.= _Verbascum Blattaria_ L. Flowers yellow; pod 6 mm.
diameter; seeds light to dark brown, .5-1 mm. long, columnar, lateral
surface slightly angular and 6-sided, base truncate or obliquely so and
broader than the rounded apex, thus somewhat thimble-shaped, each
lateral face deeply pitted in longitudinal rows, the pits in contiguous
rows, alternating. Introduced from Europe. A vile weed in meadows and
pastures.
=Velvet-Leaved Mullein.= _Verbascum Thapsus_ L. Flowers yellow; pod 6
mm. high; seeds cannot be distinguished with certainty by means of the
ordinary lens from those of moth mullein. The pitted surface seems to
predominate in _Verbascum Blattaria_, while the grooved surface seems to
be more common in the seeds of V. Thapsus. Introduced from Europe.
Common in thin pastures.
[Illustration: Fig. 167.]
=Wall Speedwell.= _Veronica arvensis_ L. Pods heart-shaped; seeds dull,
light yellow, flattened, oval, .7-1.1 mm. long on one side appearing as
though the two ends had been brought together by bending. From Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 168.]
=Common Speedwell.= _Veronica officinalis_ L. Pods heart-shaped; seeds
dull, pale yellow, flattened, broadly oval to broadly obovate, .8-1.2
mm. long, with a small scar near the middle of one side, from which
extends a faint line (raphe) to one extremity. Appearing as though
introduced.
[Illustration: Fig. 169.]
=Purslane Speedwell.= _Veronica peregrina_ L. Pods heart-shaped; seeds
dull, light reddish yellow, flattened, oval to broadly obovate .5-.8 mm.
long, with a small scar a little above the middle of one side, from
which extends a dark line (raphe) to one extremity. Most likely native
to this country.
[Illustration: Fig. 170.]
=Thyme-leaved Speedwell.= _Veronica serpyllifolia_ L. Pods broadly
heart-shaped; seeds pale yellow, a trifle darker than those of V.
officinalis, light, reddish yellow, in shape and markings much like
those of V. peregrina, flattened, broadly oval to obovate .5-.7 mm.
long, with a small scar near the middle on one side, from which extends
a dark line (raphe) to one extremity.
Apparently native to this country.
Seeds of the Veronicas are very difficult to distinguish from one
another.
PLANTAIN FAMILY. PLANTAGINACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 171.]
=Sand Plantain.= _Plantago arenaria_ W. & K. Seeds dark amber brown,
shining, rounded on the back like the bottom of a shallow canoe, 2.5-3
mm. long, transverse groove around the middle of the back, opposite side
with a groove extending lengthwise, about as wide as the ridge on either
side of it; hilum in the middle of the groove. Found at Harrisville,
Mich.
[Illustration: Fig. 172.]
=Large-bracted Plantain.= _Plantago aristata_ Michx. Seeds oval, dull,
light to dark brown, 2.2-3 mm. long, shaped like a shallow, thick-walled
canoe with ends rounded alike, outer face marked by a shallow,
transverse groove at or near the middle, a white line marking the margin
at the base on the canoe inside, two white-margined pits occupying the
middle of the concave side. Introduced from the west in clover seeds,
not yet common.
[Illustration: Fig. 173.]
=Rib-Grass. Narrow-leaved Plantain.= _Plantago lanceolata_ L. Seeds
shining, amber-colored to brown, oval, 2-2.5 mm. long, shaped like a
shallow, thick-walled canoe with ends rounded alike, a dark scar
occupying the middle of the narrow concave side, a faint, transverse
groove across the convex side near the middle sometimes apparent. Often
found mixed with clover seeds from which it is very difficult to
separate. Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 174.]
=Broad-leaved Plantain.= _Plantago major_ L. Seeds, light to dark brown
or very nearly black, 1-1.5 mm. long, slightly flattened, with acute
edges very variable in shape, oval, oblong, rhomboidal and trapezoid,
the surface roughened by slender, colored ridges, appearing under the
lens as slightly wavy lines, radiating from the scar. The clear light
green color of the lower end of the leaf-stem is an easy mark to
distinguish this plant from another broad-leaved plantain, _P. Rugelii_
in which the base of leaf is red. Introduced from Europe. About door
yards.
[Illustration: Fig. 175.]
=Rugel's Broad-leaved Plantain.= _Plantago Rugelii Decne._ Seeds dark
brown to black, much like those of P. major, but larger, 1.5-2.5 mm.
long slightly flattened, with edges acute, very variable in shape, oval
oblong, rhomboidal, surface minutely roughened and dull, but wholly
without ridge or lines as in P. major. Native of this country. Lower end
of leaf-stalk red, and not clear green as in P. major. A vile pest in
clover fields.
MADDER FAMILY.
[Illustration: Fig. 176.]
=Blue Field Madder.= _Sherardia arvensis_ L. The parts often called
seeds are in reality the half-fruits ripened, each one bearing at the
apex three, white, pointed, persistent calyx lobes, the inner face
showing a vertical groove, and in some of the fruits the calyx is broken
off. Surface dull brown, clothed with small white hairs, obovoid, 2-2.5
mm. long. Introduced from Europe, not often found in the northern
states.
TEASEL FAMILY. DIPSACACEAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 177.]
=Wild Teasel.= _Dipsacus sylvestris_ Huds. Achene brown, minutely hairy,
4 mm. long, oblong, square in cross-section, with four vertical ribs on
the angles and four on the sides. Seed suspended, anatropous, supplied
with endosperm. Introduced from Europe. A weed requiring two years from
seed to seeding.
COMPOSITE FAMILY. COMPOSITAE.
[Illustration: Fig. 178.]
=Yarrow. Milfoil.= _Achillea Millefolium_ L. Flowers white; achenes
white to gray, finely striate lengthwise, flattened, oblong, tapering at
the lower end, straight or curved. 2-2.3 long. Most likely introduced
from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 179.]
=Ragweed.= _Ambrosia artemisiifolia_ L. Achenes hard, straw-colored to
light brown or black, top-shaped, broadly oval, 2.5-3 mm. long, besides
the beak 1.5 mm. long, the sides irregularly ridged vertically, with
5-10 short teeth at the apex. Sometimes the hard covering is removed by
a clover huller, exposing the naked seed. Native of the U. S.
[Illustration: Fig. 180.]
=Great Ragweed.= _Ambrosia trifida_ L. Achenes hard, brown, more or less
mottled, top-shaped, 7-8 mm. besides the stout beak 2-3 mm. long, sides
with 5 stout ridges terminating in 5 short teeth. Native to the United
States. River bottoms, low land, sometimes 15 ft. high.
[Illustration: Fig. 181.]
=Corn Camomile=. _Anthemis arvensis_ L. Achenes very variable, creamy
white to light brown, oblong, wedge-shaped in outline, circular to
four-angled in cross-section, more or less ribbed lengthwise, a
ripple-shaped scar at the narrow end; apex truncate with a minute
projection in the center, often with a narrow ridge about the margin.
About 1.7 mm. long. Introduced from Europe. Seldom troublesome in
Michigan.
[Illustration: Fig. 182.]
=May-weed. Dog's-Fennel.= _Anthemis Cotula_ L. Outer flowers white;
achenes straw color to light brown, obovoid (large end uppermost) to
oblong, circular in outline, 1.3-1.8 mm. long, with 10 warty ribs.
Introduced from Europe. Old roads and waste places.
[Illustration: Fig. 183.]
=Great Burdock.= _Arctium Lappa._ So far as I have seen the achenes of
this species, when compared with A. minus, are darker colored, rather
longer, the ribs more distinct.
=Smaller Burdock.= _Arctium minus_ Beruh. Possibly only a variety of _A.
Lappa_ L., but the prevailing plant in central Michigan. I see no way of
distinguishing the achenes of one from the other; but it makes little
difference as one burdock is as bad as another.
Flowers purple; achenes dull brown, often spotted with black, straight
or curved, slightly flattened, oblong-prismatic with 3-5 narrowly ridged
angles, and occasionally other smaller ridges, 4.5-6 mm. long.
Introduced from Europe.
[Illustration: Fig. 184.]
=Biennial Wormwood.= _Artemisia biennis_ Willd. Achenes dark brown,
smooth, somewhat flattened, 3-4 angled, obovate, narrowed at the base
.8-1.3 mm. long. Native in the northwestern United States and introduced
east with grass seeds. Moist land.
[Illustration: Fig. 185.]
=Smaller Bur-Marigold.= _Bidens cernua_ L. Flowers yellow; achenes 4-6
mm. long, dull brown, the awns lighter, flattened, 4-angled,
wedge-shaped, awns 2-4, barbed downward as also are the ribs. Native of
this country. Low lands.