fleshy, sinuate, toothed, caducous ; flowers in July ; grows near
Boston, and on Cape Ann; see Bunias, in Bigelow’s “ Flor.
Bost.” p. 251. Common in Europe.
Cardamine. L. 14. 2.
C. Pennsylvanica. W. Water Cress. Stem about a foot
high in fruit,- with smooth pinnate alternate leaves, and small
white flowers ; growing out of water, and beside water, or in
wet places ; pleasant spicy taste, and used by common people
as a cress ; flowers in June.
Dr. Beck unites C. Virginiana, L ., and the plant named above-,
under C. hirsuta, L. It certainly is very difficult to find the
distinctions of the three species. The variety called C. virginica,
W., is found in Berkshire County.
C. teres. Mx. Credited to the vicinity of Amherst College ;
is of little consequence, though interesting to botanists.
The genus is named from the Greek, for heart-strengthener, on
account of its stomachic qualities. Loudon.
S isymbrium. L. 14. 2.
The Greek name of an unknown plant. Loudon.
S. amphibium. L. Water Radish. A coarse plant with
small yellow leaves, growing in wet places, and flowering in June.
S. nasturtium. L. English Water Cress. With pinnate
leaves, introduced from England.
Barbarea. J L. 14. 2.
B. vulgaris. R. Br. Winter Cress. Stem 1 - 2 feet high,
branching ; leaves wing-like, and much-divided, and the terminal
division roundish, upper leaves undivided and dentate,, and the
root leaves green through the winter ; sand and gravel of banks
of streams ; with yellow flowers ; May and June. Sometimes
called Water Rocket.
Brassica. L. 14. 2.
Derived from the Celtic name of cabbage. Loudon.
B- napus. L. Kale. Naturalized in a few places ; leaves
smooth, upper being heart-shaped and long, clasping. Native of
England and Holland.
B. rapa. L. Turnip. Excellent as food for man and cattle ;
the several kinds are varieties. Cultivation has shown that new
land, or just cleared, is not essential to the production of the
finest turnips ; native of England.
B . ruta-baga. Extensively cultivated as rich food for cattle,
being produced in great quantity compared with other articles
raised on equal land. It is commonly considered only a variety
of the following, but is made a variety of B . campestris by De
Candolle.
B . oleracea. L. Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower. Of too
much use not to be known. The varieties are many, and cultivated
with considerable ease ; cabbage is, perhaps, the most
sure crop. Introduced from England.
The introduction of the turnip into cultivation in England, is
the era from which their modern agriculture is dated. Its culture
deserves special attention.
C heiranthus . L. 14. 2. Wall Flower.
Several species are cultivated in the gardens, or in pots, for
their flowers. Their beauty is too well known, to need remark.
The generic name is from the Arabic name for a plant with red
and sweet flowers. Loudon.
D raba. L. 14. 1.
D. verna. L. Whitlow Grass. Leaves radical, oblong,
acute, hairy ; flower-stem 2 - 3 inches high, ending in a raceme
of white flowers ; flowers in April and May, in the fields.
D entaria. L. 14. 2. Tooth-root, Pepper-root.
D. diphylla. Mx. Stem about a foot high, sends off 2
ternate leaves, and a raceme of white flowers ; grows in open
woods, and flowers in May.