USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 32
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3. Bidens bipinnata. (Spanish Needles.) Grows in waste places, in corn-fields, etc .; stem from two to four feet high; a nuisance.
12. Maruta. (May-Weed.)
1. Maruta cotula. (Common May-Weed.) Naturalized in waste places, along roadsides, etc .; an ill-scented plant. Linnæus says: "It is grateful to toads, drives away fleas, and is annoying to flies."
13. Achillea. (Yarrow.)
1. Achillea Millefolium. (Common Yarrow. Milfoil.) The yarrow abounds in fields, pastures, etc. It is a mild, aromatic tonic and astringent; its taste and smell is agreeable and pungent.
14. Leucanthemum. (Ox-eye.)
1. Leucanthemum vulgare. (White-weed. Ox-eye Daisy.) The common white-weed is an annoyance to farmers, rapidly over- spreading pastures and neglected fields.
15. Tanacetum. (Tansy.)
1. Tanacetum vulgare. (Common Tansy.) Naturalized in old 24
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fields and roadsides. The whole plant has a strong aromatic smell, and a very bitter taste. @The seeds are anthelmintic.
16. Cirsium. (Common Plumed Thistle.)
1. Cirsium discolor. (Tall Thistle.) A slender thistle, from two to five feet high; found in thickets.
2. Cirsium lanceolatum. (Common Thistle.) Common in borders of fields and along roadsides; stem from three to four feet high, surmounted with numerous, large, purple flowers.
3. Cirsium altissimum. A very tall thistle found in fields and barrens. Stem from three to eight feet high; flowers, purple.
17. Lappa. (Burdock.)
1. Lappa officinalis. (Common Burdock.) Grows almost everywhere; an unsightly. ill-scented plant, and very troublesome.
18. Taraxcum. (Dandelion.)
1. Taraxacum Dens-Leonis. (Common Dandelion.) Grows everywhere in all open situations. It is slightly tonic, diuretic and aperient; and it is used as a pottage, and as a substitute for coffee.
19. Lactuca. (Lettuce.)
1. Lactuca elongata. (Wild Lettuce. Trumpet Milkweed.) A common, rank plant, growing in hedges and thickets, where the soil is rich and damp. Stem hollow, stout, and from three to six feet high.
2. Lactuca sativa. (Common Garden Lettuce.) The varieties of this exotic are everywhere well known, and cultivated for a salad.
ORDER XXIX. LOBELIACEE. (Lobelia Family.)
1. Lobelia. (Lobelia.)
1. Lobelia cardinalis. (Cardinal Flower.) A tall species of superior beauty, frequent in meadows and along streams; stem from two to four feet high. Flower a deep scarlet.
2. Lobelia inflata. (Indian Doctor.) Found in fields and woods. This plant is rendered famous by the Thompsonian physi- cians. It is a powerful emetic and has narcotic powers also. Its
effect on the system is much the same as tobacco.
3. Lobelia spicata. (Clayton's Lobelia.) Found in fields and prairies. Stem from one to two feet high; flowers pale blue.
ORDER XXX. CAMPANULACEE. (Campanula Family.)
1. Campanula. (Bell-Flower.)
1. Campanula Americana. (Tall Bell-Flower.) A tall, erect, ornamental species in fields, hills, etc .; also cultivated in gardens.
2. Specularia. (Venus' Looking-Glass.)
1. Specularia Speculum. (Venus' Looking-Glass.) A pretty bor- der flower named from the form of the blue corolla, which resembles a little, round, concave mirror (speculum).
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
ORDER XXXI. ERICACEAE. (Heathworts. Heath Family.)
1. Vaccinium. (Huckleberry)
1. Vaccinium resinosum. (The Black Whortleberry or Huckle- berry.) This common shrub of the woods and pastures is about two feet high. Its berries are black, globose, sweet and eatable.
2. Vaccinium corymbosum. (Blue Bilberry. High Whortle- berry.) A tall shrub, from four to eight feet high, growing in shady swamps and by mud ponds. Berries, black, with a tinge of pur- ple; subacid.
ORDER XXXII. PLANTAGINACEAE. (Ribworts. Plantain Fam- ily.)
1. Plantago. (Plantain. Rib-Grass.)
1. Plantago major. (Common Plantain.) This well-known ribwort is a native of Japan, Europe and America. Its leaves are reputed a good external application for wounds.
2. Plantago lanceolata. (Lance-leaved or English Plantain.) Common in pastures and grass-lands. It is freely eaten by cattle.
ORDER XXXIII. SCROPHULARIACEAE. (Figwort Family.)
1. Verbascum. (Mullein.)
1. Verbascum Thapsus. (Common Mullein.) Found in every slovenly field, and by the roadsides.
2. Verbascum Canadensis. (Canadian Snap-dragon.) An an- nual species in roadsides and fields. Flowers small, and blue, at the end of the stems.
ORDER XXXIV. BIGNONIACEA. (Bignonia Family.)
1. Tecoma. (Trumpet Flower.)
1. Tecoma radicans. (Trumpet Creeper.) A splendid climber in woods and thickets, along streams. Flowers are a bright scarlet red.
2. Catalpa. (Catalpa.)
1. Catalpa bignonioides. (Common Catalpa.) Cultivated for ornament and shade. A fine, wide-spreading tree.
ORDER XXXV. ACANTHACEA. (Acanthus Family .(
1. Dianthera. (Water Willow.)
1. Dianthera Americana. (Common Water Willow.) Found on sluggish streams; stem from one to three feet high.
2. Ruellia. (Prairie Willow.)
1. Ruellia strepens. (Common Prairie Willow.) Found in dry barrens and prairies; stem eight to twenty-four inches high.
ORDER XXXVI. VERBENACEAE. (Vervain Family.)
1. Verbena. (Vervain.)
1. Verbena hastata. (Blue Vervain. Simpler's Joy.) An elegant, tall and erect plant, frequent by roadsides and in low
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grounds. Flowers small and blue; used sometimes as a nervine remedy.
2. Verbena bracteosa. (Prostrate Verbena.) Found in dry fields and roadsides, and in waste places; flowers small and blue.
3. Verbena Aubletia. Common Garden Verbena.) A slender and delicate green-house plant; cultivated. Flowers in successive clusters, rose-color and scarlet.
ORDER XXXVII. LABIATE. (Mint Family.)
1. Teucrium. (Germander.)
1. Teucrium Canadense. (American Germander.) Found in fields and roadsides; stem abont two feet high; flowers of a purplish color.
2. Isanthus. ( Blue Gentian. False Pennyroyal.)
1. Isanthus cæruleus. (Blue Gentian.) A branching, leafy herb, in dry fields. It has the aspect of pennyroyal. Flowers numerous and blue.
3. Mentha. (Mint.)
1 Mentha Canadensis. (Horse Mint.) An herbaceous, grayish plant growing in muddy places. The stem is square, and about one to two feet high. The plant is aromatic.
2. Mentha viridis. (Spearmint.) A well known plant, highly esteemed for its agreeable aromatic properties. It grows in wet soil.
3. Mentha piperita. (Peppermint.) Cultivated in gardens, and naturalized in wet places. The essence of peppermint is a well-known medicine, acting as a cordial in flatulency, nausea, etc.
4. Melissa. (Balm.)
1. Melissa officinalis. (Common Balm.) A well-known gar- den plant. Flowers white or yellowish. It is a stomachic and diuretic, generally administered in the form of tea.
5. Hedeoma. (Mock Pennyroyal.)
1. Hedeoma pulegioides. (American Pennyroyal.) A small, strong-scented herb, held in high repute in the domestic medicine.
6. Salvia. (Sage.)
1. Salvia lyrata. (Wild or Meadow Sage. Cancer-weed.) Found in shady woods. Stem erect, quadrangular, and nearly leaf- less; from one to two feet high.
2. Salvia officinalis. (Common Sage.) A well-known garden plant, very useful in domestic economy and medicine.
3. Salvia Mexicana. (Mexican Salvia.) A beautiful and popular house-plant. Flowers bright crimson or scarlet.
7. Monarda. (Horse-mint.)
1. Monarda fistulosa. (Wild Bergamot.)' A handsome vari- able plant, growing in hedges and thickets. Stem from two to four feet high.
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2. Monarda punctata. (A kind of Horse-mint.) Found in pine barren. Stem from two to three feet high. It contains an essen- tial oils which is valuable in medicine.
S. Nepeta. (Cat-mint.)
1. Nepeta Cataria. (Common Catnip.) This common plant is naturalized everywhere about old buildings and fences. It is used as a tonic and stimulant, especially with young children.
2. Nepeta Glechoma. (Ground Ivy.) A creeping plant. Found in woods lately cleared. The plant is aromatic, and a gentle stimulant and tonic.
9. Prunella. (Self-heal.)
1. Prunella vulgaris. (Heal-all. Blue Curls.) A common plant in meadows and low grounds. Flowers blue.
10. Scutellaria. (Skull-cap.)
1. Scutellaria galericulata. (Common Skull-cap.) Found in meadows and ditches; abundant. Flowers blue. Used in medicine. 2. Scutellaria lateriflora. (Mad-dog Skull-cap.) Found in meadows and ditches; flowers blue, intermixed with small leaves.
11. Marrubium. (Hoarhound.)
1. Marrubium vulgare. (Common Hoarhound.) Found in dry fields and roadsides. It is an aromatic and bitter herb. It possesses tonic and diuretic properties, and is much used in lung affections.
12. Galeopsis. (Hemp Nettle.)
1. Galeopsis Tetrahit. (Common Hemp Nettle.) A common weed.
13. Leonurus. (Motherwort.)
1. Leonurus Cardiaca. (Common Motherwort.) Commenc- ing to escape to woods, streets and roadsides; the constant follower of civilization. It has a strong, pungent smell, and is used in herb drinks for coughs and colds.
14. Stachys. (Hedge Nettle.)
1. Stachys sylvatica. (Wood Stachys.) A very rough and hairy herb, in low woods and shady banks.
ORDER XXXVIII. BORRAGINACEAE. (Borage Family.)
1. Symphytum. (Comfrey.)
1. Symphytum officinale. (Common Comfrey.) A large, but showy exotic; naturalized in dry grounds. Useful in curing wounds.
2. Myosotis. (Scorpion-grass.)
1. Myosotis stricta. (Forget-me-not.) Found in sandy woods. The whole plant is of a grayish hue. Flowers very small and white.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
3. Cynoglossum. (Hound's-Tongue.)
1. Cynoglossum officinale. (Common Hound's -Tongue.) Grows in waste grounds and roadsides; erect, downy, and of a dull green color. Flowers of a dull red color.
2. Cynoglossum Virginicum. (Wild Comfrey.) Inhabiting woods and thiickets; a very hairy plant, with purple flowers.
3. Cynoglossum Morrisoni. (Beggar Lice. Virginia Mouse- ear.) An erect weed found in the woods and thickets. A great annoyance.
ORDER XXXIX. POLEMONIACEE. (Polemonium Family. Phloxworts.)
1. Polemonium. (Greek Valerian.)
1. Polemonium reptans. (American Greek Valerian.) A handsome plant of woods and damp ground. Varies much in color of flowers, even on the same plant, blue and white prevailing.
2. Phlox. (Phlox.)
· 1. Phlox paniculata. (Panicled Phlox.) A well-known favorite of the gardens; it may be found native in the woods. Stem sur- mounted by a pyramidal panicle of innumerable pink-colored flowers.
2. Phlox maculata. (Wild Sweet William.) Found in moist grounds and in meadows. A panicle of pink-colored, sweet-scented flowers crowns the stem.
ORDER XL. CONVOLVULACEE. (Convolvulus Family. Bind- weeds.)
1. Ipomæa. (Morning-Glory.)
1. Ipomæa purpurea. (Common Morning-Glory.) A beanti- ful twining plant, found somewhat escaped, but more frequently cultivated. It is best known as a garden annual.
2. Ipomæa pandurata. (Wild Potato-vine. Man of the Earth.) In sandy fields. Flowers two inches long, purple and white.
2. Culystegia. (Bracted Bindweed).
1. alystegia Sepium. (Hedge Bindweed. Rutland Beauty.) A vigorous climber, in hedges and low grounds. It is highly esteemed as a shade for windows and arbors.
ORDER XLI. SOLANACEAE. (Nightshade Family.) 1. So (Nightshade. )
1. Solanum Dulcamara. (Woody Nightshade. Bitter Sweet.) A well-known shrubby climber, with blue flowers and red berries. It possesses feeble narcotic properties, with the power of increasing the secretions.
2. Solanum nigrum. (Common Black Nightshade.) A weed of no beauty and of suspicious aspect. Stem about a foot high, erect, branching and angular. Berries, globose and black. It is reputed poisonous, but is used medicinally.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
3. Solanum Carolinense. (Horse Nettle.) A rough weed found along roadsides, etc., about one or two feet high, armed with straw-colored, scattered prickles. Fruit like potato balls. Common.
4. Solanum tuberosum. (Common Potato.) It needs no description.
5. Solanum Melongena. (Egg Plant.)
2. Lycopersicum. (Tomato.)
1. Lycopersicum esculentum. (Tomato.) 3. Physalis. (Ground Cherry.)
1. Physalis viscosa. (Yellow Henbane. Common Ground Cherry.) It is found in dry fieids. along roadsides, etc. Stem more or less decumbent, and about a foot high. Fruit yellow or orange-colored, and not unpleasant to the taste.
2. Physalis lanceolata. (Lance-leaved Physalis.) This is most likely a variety of the Physalis viscosa.
3. Datura. (Thorn Apple.)
1. Datura Stramonium. (Jamestown Weed. Jimson Weed.) Plentifully found in waste places, barnyards, etc. It is a well- known, poisonous plant; every part is poisonous, but when used with certain restrictions is a useful remedy for asthma. It is a narcotic.
4. Petunia. (Petunia.)
1. Petunia violacea. (Common Petunia.) A pretty trailing or climbing plant, quite popular in cultivation.
5. Nicotiana. (Tobacco.)
1. Nicotiana rustica. (Common Tobacco.) Cultivated. Said to have been introduced by the Indians.
2. Nicotiana Tabacum. (Virginian Tobacco.) As a tobacco this is considered superior to Nicotiana rustica. It is very exten- sively cultivated.
6. Hyoscyamus. (Henbane).
1. Hyoscyamus niger. (Common Henbane.) This is a plant of a sea-green hue, and emits a fœtid odor. It is reputed poisonous, but has been long regarded as an excellent remedy in nervous dis- eases, coughs, convulsions, etc.
7. Capsicum. (Pepper.)
1. Capsicum annuum. (Red Pepper. Cayenne Pepper.) Cul- tivated for its fruit, whose stimulant properties are well known.
8. Atropa. (A Nightshade.)
1. Atropa Belladonna. (Deadly Nightshade.) This foreigner is far less repulsive in its appearance than most others of its order. . Every part of the plant, especially the berries, is poisonous. Its stem branches below and grows five feet high.
ORDER XLII. GENTIANACEE. (Gentian Family.)
1. Frasera. (Columbo.)
. Frasera Carolinensis. (Wild Columbo.) Found in moist woods. Stem perfectly straight, dark purple, and from four to nine feet high. It is highly prized as a tonic.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
ORDER XLIII. APOCYNACEE. (Dogbane Family.)
1. Nerium. (Bay-tree.)
1. Nerium Oleander. (Rose Bay-tree. Oleander.) Cultivated, quite highly prized. It is a common shrub in Palestine. It is supposed to be the plant to which the Psalmist refers in Psalms i: 3.
ORDER XLIV. ASCLEPIADACEAE. (Milkweed Family.)
1. Asclepias. (Milkweed. Silkweed.)
1. Asclepias Cornuti. (Common Milkweed.) A coarse plant growing everywhere by roadsides and in sandy fields.
2. Asclepias incarnata. (Rose-colored Silkweed.) A handsome species found in wet places; from three to four feet high.
ORDER XLV. OLEACEA. (Olive Family.)
1. Syringa. (Lilac. )
1. Syringa vulgaris. (Common Lilac.) Cultivated. One of the most popular shrubs, beautiful in foliage and flowers.
2. Fraxinus. (Ash.)
1. Fraxinus Americana. (White Ash.) A forest tree,-one of the most desirable; used in furniture and in agricultural im- plements.
2. Fraxinus sambucifolia. (Black or Water or Swamp Ash.) This tree prefers to grow in moist woods and swamps. It is a useful tree, the sapling being greatly used for barrel hoops, and the mature tree for baskets.
ORDER XLVI. PHYTOLACCACEE. (Pokewood Family.)
1. > Phytolacca. (Pokewood.)
1. Phytolacca decandra. (Poke. Garget. Jalap.) This is sometimes called Pigeon Berry. It is a well-known weed growing some five to eight feet high with large stem, smooth, and branching, and bearing juicy, purple berries.
ORDER XLVII. CHIENOPODIACEAE. (Goosefoot Family.)
1. Chenopodium. (Goosefoot. Pigweed.)
1. Chenopodium album. (White Goosefoot. Lamb's-Quarters.) A common weed in cultivated lands; grows from three to four feet high.
2. Chenopodium ambrosioides. (Ambrosia Goosefoot. Mexican Tea.) Grows in fields and along roadsides; plant rather fragrant.
ORDER XLVIII. AMARANTHACEE. (Amaranth Family.)
1. Amaranthus. (Amaranth.)
1. Amaranthus albus. (White Cockscomb.) Cultivated. A common garden plant.
2. Amaranthus hypochondriacus. (Prince's Feather). Cul- tivated. A garden plant, dark red, and with long, plume-like clusters.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
3. Amaranthus melancholicus. (Love-lies-bleeding.) Culti- vated. A garden plant, purple, and about 18 inches high.
2. Celosia. (Cockscomb.)
1. Celosia cristata. (Red Cockscomb.) This curious annual is said to have come from Japan, where the crests are a foot in diameter, and of an intense purplish red.
ORDER XLIX. POLYGONACEE. (Buckwheat Family.)
1. Rheum. (Pie-plant.)
1. Rheum Rhaponticum. (Garden Rhubarb or Pie-plant.) Cultivated in gardens for the juicy, acid stems of the leaf.
2. Polygonum. (Knotweed.)
1. Polygonum Hydropiper. (Common Smart-weed or Water Pepper.) A plant well known for its acrid taste, growing in ditches, low grounds, among rubbish, etc.
2. Polygonum Persicaria. (Spotted Knotweed, or Lady's Thumb.) A common species about fences, in low grounds, etc.
3. Polygonum aviculare. (Bird Knot-grass.) A common weed in fields, highways and door-yards.
4. Polygonum sagittatum. (Scratch-grass.) A rough climbing species found in low ground.
5. Polygonum Fagopyrum. (Buckwheat.) A valuable grain cultivated for the flour which is made into pan-cakes and eaten warm.
3. Rumex. (Dock-sorrel.)
1. Rumex crispus. (Common Yellow Dock.) A weed so com- mon as hardly to need a description, growing in cultivated grounds, about rubbish, etc. Quite an annoyance. The root is used as a medicine in cutaneous diseases.
2. Rumex obtusifolius. (Broad-leaved Dock.) A weed as troublesome as the first, growing about houses and fields wherever it is least welcome.
3. Rumex Acetosella. (Field Sorrel. Sheep Sorrel.) A common weed, growing in pastures and waste grounds; acid in taste.
ORDER L. LAURACEAE. (Laurel Family.)
1. Benzoin. (Wild Allspice.)
1. Benzoin odoriferum. (Spice-bush.) A shrub growing in moist woods; it has an aromatic flavor, and the bark a spicy taste.
2. Sassafras. (Sassafras.)
1 Sassafras officinale. (Common Sassafras.) A tree growing from 10 to 40 feet high. It has a very aromatic, sweetish taste, which is caused by an essential oil that is highly prized in medicine.
ORDER LI. URTICACEE. (Nettleworts.)
1. Morus. (Mulberry.)
1. Morus rubra. (Red Mulberry. ) A forest tree; wood very elastic; berries of a deep red color, and of an agreeable acid taste.
2. Maclura. (Osage Orange.)
1. Maclura aurantiaca. (Common Osage Hedge Plant.) A beautiful tree, and forms a perfect hedge.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
3. Urtica. (The Nettle.)
1. Urtica Canadensis. (Common Nettle.) Grows in damp places.
2. Urtica dioica. (Dicecious, or Stinging Nettle.) Found in waste places, moist woods, etc. Stings when it is but touched.
4. Cannabis. (Hemp.)
1. Cannabis sativa. (Hemp.) Cultivated for the sake of its fiber in many countries; a specimen here and there may be seen.
5. Humulus. (Hop-vine.)
1. Humulus Lupulus. (Common Hop.) A well known climb- ing vine.
6. Ulmus. (Elm.)
1. Ulmus fulva. (Red or Slippery Elm.) Grows in woods and in low grounds. The mucilaginous character of the inner bark makes . it very valuable as an emollient.
2. Ulmus Americana. (White Elm.) This is a majestic tree, much songht for as a shade tree; the timber is also valuable.
ORDER LII. PLATANACEE. (Plane-tree Family.)
1. Platanus. (Plane-tree. Buttonwood.)
1. Platanus occidentalis. (American Plane-tree or Sycamore.) It grows on the margins of streams, and is by far the largest, though not the loftiest tree in American forests.
ORDER LIII. JUGLANDACEE. (Walnut Family.)
1. Juglans. (Walnut.)
1. Juglans cinerea. (Butternut. White Walnut.) This tree grows on elevated banks of streams and on cold, uneven soils. The nnt possesses an oily, pleasant-flavored kernel. The wood is used in paneling and ornamental work. The bark yields an excellent cathartic.
2. Juglans nigra. (Black Walnut.) The black walnut is a common and stately forest tree; in open lands it grows into a large and spacious head. It is very extensively used in cabinet work.
2. Carya. (Hickory.)
1. Carya alba. (Shag-bark or Shell-bark Hickory.) This is an important forest tree; it is used in making axle-trees, whipstocks, axe handles, hoops, etc. The wood is superior for fuel, and the nut is highly prized for its richly-flavored kernel.
2. Carya porcina. (Pig-nut or Broom Hickory. ) It is a forest tree. The timber is valuable,-used where great strength is re- quired. The nut-kernels are small and bitter.
3. Carya sulcata. (Western or Thick Shell-bark Hickory.) It more nearly resembles Carya alba than any other species.
ORDER LIV. CUPULIFERA. (Mastworts. Oak Family.)
1. Quercus. (Oak.)
1. Quercus alba. (White oak.) A fine forest tree; timber of great valne for strength and durability. The bark is useful in
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
tanning, and also in medicine; it possesses astringent properties.
2. Quercus rubra. (Red Oak.) A well known forest tree, not so valuable as the Quercus alba.
3. Quercus tinctoria. (Black Oak. Yellow-bark Oak.) The bark of this tree is deeply furrowed, and from it is obtained "quer- citron," a substance used in dyeing. The bark is used also in tanning.
4. Quercus nigra. (Barren Oak. Black Jack.) A small, gnarled tree, growing in light soils. Quite common.
2. Fagus. (Beach.)
1. Fagus sylvatica. (American Beach.) A common forest tree. Nut small, oily, sweet and nutritious; timber fine-grained and valuable.
3. Corylus. (Hazel-nut. Filbert.)
1. Corylus Americana. (Wild Hazel-nut.) A shrub, growing in thickets and borders of fields. The nuts are well-flavored and very much prized, though it is said that they are inferior to the European hazel or filbert.
4. Ostrya. (Hop_Hornbeam. Ironwood.)
1. Ostrya Virginica. (Lever-wood. Iron-wood.) A small tree with shaggy bark hard wood, which is white and strong. Used for levers.
5. Carpinus. (Hornbeam.)
1. Carpinus Americana. (Blue or Water Beach.) A small tree with sinboth bark. Found mostly near running water. The wood is very fine-grained, compact and white.
ORDER LV. BETULACEAE. (Birchworts.)
1. Betula. (Birch.)
1. Betula rubra. (Red Birch.) A tree growing along the Kankakee river, and perhaps elsewhere; trunk covered with red- dish or chocolate-colored bark, which at length becomes very loose and torn.
ORDER LVI. SALICACEE. (Willow-worts. Willow Family.)
1. Salix. (Willow. Osier.)
1. Salix tristis. (Sage Willow.) Found in sandy or dry fields, borders of woods, pastures, etc. A small, downy shrub.
2. Salix discolor. (Bog Willow.) A shrub from eight to ten feet high; found in swampy grounds, and has tough brown twigs.
3. Salix fragilis. (Crack Willow.) A tall tree along streams, and elsewhere; twigs break off at base by a slight pressure. The wood is salmon-color.
4. Salix vitellina. (Yellow Willow. Golden Osier.) This is a tree of moderate height, with shining yellow branches, common along roadsides, etc.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
5. Salix Babylonica. (Babylonian or Weeping Willow.) This is an elegant species, with long, slender branchlets gracefully droop- ing. The technical or Latin name was suggested by the following from Psalm cxxxvii:
" By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down:
Yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof."
2. Populus. (Poplar. Aspen.)
1. Populus tremuloides. (American Aspen. "Quaking Asp.") Grows in woods and open lands to the height of from 25 to 40 feet. The leaves tremble in the slightest breeze. The "trembling" of the " aspen leaf" is proverbial.
2. Populus angulata. (Water Poplar. Western Cotton-wood.) Grows in moist lands; height from 40 to 80 feet; timber not very valuable.
ORDER LVII. ARACE. (Arum Family.)
1. Arum. (Indian Turnip.)
1. Arum triphyllum. (Dragon Root. Jack-in-the-Pulpit.) A curious plant found in wet woodlands. The subterraneous corm (root) is fiercely acrid, but this is lost by drying. It is valued as a carminative medicine.
2. Acorus. (Sweet Flag.)
1. Acorus calamus. (Common Calamus.) It grows in wet soils. Its root (rhizoma) has an aromatic flavor, a sharp and pungent taste, and is highly valued. The sword-shaped leaves has a ridge running through their whole length.
ORDER LVIIII. IRIDACEAE. (The Irids.)
1. Iris. (Iris.)
1. Iris versicolor. (Blue Flag.) Very common, growing in wet grounds. Its large blue flowers are very conspicuous among the grass.
ORDER LIX. TYPHACEE. (Cat-tail Family.)
1. Typha. (Cat-tail Flag.)
1. Typha latifolia. (Cat-tail. Red Mace.) A common, smooth, tall plant growing in the water of muddy pools and ditches. They are useful in making chair seats.
2. Sparganium. (Burr Reed.)
1. Sparganium natans. (Floating Burr Reed.) Grows in lakes and pools. Stems long and slender, with leaves floating upon the water.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
ORDER LX. ALISMACEE. (Water Plantain Family.)
1. Alisma. (Water Plantain.)
1. Alisma. Plantago. (Common Water Plantain.) A smooth, handsome plant, found in ponds and ditches; leaves resembling those of common yard plantain.
ORDER LXI. CYPERACEE. (Sedges.)
Scirpus. (Rush.)
1. Scirpus triqueter. (Three-cornered Rush.) Abundant in ponds and marshes. Very sharply three-cornered.
2. Scirpus lacustris. (Lake Bulrush.) Grows in muddy mar- gins of rivers and ponds. Tall, cylindrical, leafless and pithy. It grows from five to eight feet high.
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