Observations on the American Plants Described by Charlevoix

 

By William Sheppard

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, Original Series 1, Volume 1 (1829)]

 

This Paper was read before the Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Sciences in Canada.

 

Charlevoix in his "Histoire de la Nouvelle France," describes and figures a certain number of the Plants of North America, being principally such as struck him by their uncommon appearance, or from having the reputation of possessing medicinal or other remarkable properties: of these he always makes due mention; for a knowledge of which his account may be consulted, probably, with some advantage. But his descriptions are, in general, so imperfect and vague, and his figures so little like the plants they are intended to represent, that it is with difficulty they can be identified. These observations may possibly tend to a better acquaintance with the plants he has treated of: little of consequence is added respecting the qualities or application of the plants; the intention being more immediately to identify them with the Nomenclature now made use of.[1] Pursh's Flora, as being the most general book, has been followed, except when differently mentioned.

 

1. "Fougère qui porte des bayes."

 

A berry bearing fern to begin with, would strike him as sufficiently marvelous to excite some degree of wonder in his readers. Some perhaps may not have given him full credit for the existence of such an anomalous plant. His description being (with the exception of the berry) quite that of a fern, has been found, after some degree of puzzling, to agree perfectly with Athyrium bulbiferum; Sprengel, a fern bearing bulbs on the back of the leaves; a supernumerary means of reproduction possessed by this plant, like some of the lilies, onions, polygonums, &c, and which Charlevoix took to be berries; he is therefore not so much in error as might have been supposed. This plant is found about Quebec.

 

2. "Cyprès de la Louisiane."

 

Cupressus disticha. Cypress. A large tree, native of the United States; not found north of 38° 50' according to the younger Michaux.

 

3. "Capillaire du Canada."

 

Adiantum pedatum. Maidenhair. A well known Canadian fern, and one of the most beautiful of the family: found on Sillerybank and other parts about Quebec.

 

4. "Origan du Canada."

 

Monarda fistulosa. An herbaceous perennial about three feet high, strong scented: a native of Canada but not found near Quebec.

 

5. 6. "Myrthe à Chandelle, deux espèces."

 

Myrica cerifera and caroliniensis. Candleberry myrtle. — Both these species produce green wax or tallow, by macerating the leaves in warm water: the latter is a small shrub, growing on the shores of the gulf of St. Lawrence: the other is a much larger plant, and grows more to the southward.

 

7. "Ipecacuanha de l'Amérique."

 

Podophyllum peltatum. May apple. An herbaceous perennial plant, native of Upper Canada.

 

8. "Grande Roquette du Canada."

 

Hesperis pinnatifida? Grows in the western States.

 

9. "Tulipier, ou Laurier à fleurs de Tulipe."

 

Liriodendron tulipifera. Called Poplar about New York. A large tree growing in the middle States, and in Upper Canada.

 

10. "Sceau, ou Cachet de Salomon."

 

Convallaria racemosa. Solomon's seal. An herbaceous perennial, with a single stem, somewhat arched, bearing at the summit a raceme of white flowers, followed by red berries; common in the woods in every part of Canada.

 

11. "Polygonatum à fleurs jaunes."

 

Uvularia perfoliata. Bellwort. A handsome herbaceous perennial, bearing large yellow pendulous flowers: common in Canada.—Marchmont hill.

 

12. "Troisième espèce Polygonatum."

 

Uvularia sessilifolia? A smaller plant than the foregoing one; flowers straw colour; very common in Ste. Foi wood.

 

13. "Le Ginseng."

 

Panax quinquefolia. Ginseng. This plant formerly was an article of export to China: it grows about Montreal.

 

14. "Valerienne à feuilles d'orties, et à fleurs violettes.

 

15. "Valerienne à feuilles d'orties, et à fleurs blanches."

 

16. "Le Sassafras."

 

Laurus sassafras. Sassafras grows throughout the States, and in Upper Canada from Niagara westward.

 

17. "Lychnis du Canada."

 

Asarum canadense. Wild Ginger. Grows in moist shady places throughout Canada. Sillery Hill.

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18. "Acacia de l'Amérique."

 

Robinia pseudacacia. Locust. A handsome tree growing to the south of latitude 43°. its wood is very valuable, and generally used in the States for treenails for shipbuilding. This tree probably might bear our climates, as do its congeners R. glutinosa and hispida.

 

19. "Grande Pimpernelle du Canada."

 

Sanguisorba canadensis. Burnet. An herbaceous perennial plant growing about Quebec. ―Sillery.

 

20. "Laurier à fleurs odoriférantes."

 

Magnolia grandiflora? Cucumber tree. His description agrees with this species, except in height, which in favorable soils attains an altitude of 90 feet: probably it may be the glauca, which is a much less tree. These are natives of the States; the acuminata, another species is found on the Niagara frontier.

 

21. "Cerfeuil, à larges feuilles du Canada."

 

Chærophyllum canadense. Cerfeuil sauvage. An herbaceous perennial, growing commonly in dry woods, and used by the Canadians as a pot herb.

 

22. "Aconit à fleurs de soleil."

 

Rudbeckia laciniata.   A showy perennial plant, growing commonly about Quebec. Its quality of being "un vrai poison" does not seem to be known in the present day.

 

23. "Thalictrum du Canada."

 

There are several Thalictrums growing about Quebec; the one he describes is supposed to be the pubescens, the tallest of the genus: it grows in moist shady places about Quebec.

 

24. "Eupatoire ou Agrimoine à feuilles d'Aunée."

 

Eupatorium purpureum. An herbaceous perennial plant, growing with a single stem to the height of six feet, producing an umbel of purple flowers at the top. Grows in swamps. Its congener E. perfoliatum is known to be a specific in intermitant fevers : it grows plentifully at the mouth of the river Etchemin.

 

25. "Alcée de la Floride."

 

Gordonia lasianthus. Loblolly Bay. A large evergreen Tree, bearing a beautiful white flower, the size of a rose.  It is a native of the most southern States.

 

26. "Belis du Canada."

 

Erigeron heterophyllum? Upper Canada.

 

27. "Jasmin de la Floride."

 

Gelseminum nitidum. Carolina Jasmin. A handsome plant, growing in the southern states.

 

28. "Plane d'Occident."

 

Platanus occidentalis. Western Plane tree. Button wood. A large tree, native of the States, growing as far north as Burlington on Lake Champlain. It is a handsome tree, thriving well at Montreal in plantations. Abundant in Upper Canada.

 

29. "Angelique à fleurs blanches du Canada."

 

Angelica lucida.  An herbaceous plant, native of Canada; growing at Point Levis.

 

30. "Angelique à fleurs pourprées."

 

Angelica atropurpurea. This plant resembles the foregoing one, and grows at the same place.

 

31. "Laurier rouge."

 

Laurus caroliniensis. Red Bay. A small tree growing in the Southern States.

 

32. "Bignonia du Canada."

 

Bignonia radicans. Scarlet trumpet flower. A beautiful perennial climbing plant, growing in Pensylvania and the States south of it.

 

33. "Troene aux Bayes violettes."

 

Ligustrum vulgare. Privit. An evergreen shrub said to be a native of Canada, probably of the Upper Province. It is also an European plant.

 

34. "Erable à fleurs rouges."

 

Acer rubrum. Red Maple. Called by the Canadians, Plane. A large tree growing commonly about Quebec, and in common with the other maples yields a saccharine sap; but the sugar made from it, is inferior in quality to that obtained from Acer saccharinum and nigrum. It is surprizing that Charlevoix should mention this species only, out of the nine found in America.

 

35. "Apios de l'Amérique."

 

Apios tuberosa. Earthnut. A climbing herbaceous plant, producing pea blossoms of a dark brown colour. The tuberous roots are pleasant to eat. It grows in moist shady places and on borders of rivers; Etchemin, Island of Orleans, &c.

 

36. "Le Sabot de la Vierge."

 

Cyprepedium spectabile. Our Lady's slipper. An orchideous plant. It is one of the most brilliant we have, — rather scarce about Quebec, but is to be found at Marchmont and Ste. Foi meadows. There are four other species of this beautiful genus here; one of them, the C. humile, is very common in Sillery wood.

 

37. "Arbre pour le mal de dents."

 

Zanthoxylum fraxineum. Prickly Ash. Frène piquant. This is a small tree with pinnated leaves, and the branches armed with thorns; its fruit is a small black berry, having a very pungent flavour of lemon peel. It grows on stony lands about Montreal.

 

38. "Cerisier noir de la Floride."

 

Prunus virginiana. Wild Cherry. A tree growing in favorable situations to a large size. The wood in some degree resembles Mahogany, and is much used by Cabinet-makers for making tables and other furniture. Boards and scanting are annually brought to this market from the State of New York, where it grows abundantly, and attains a great size —it is also a native of Canada.

 

39. "Serpentaire de l'Amérique."

 

Aristolochia serpentaria. Virginia snake root. An herbaceous perennial plant, native of the Southern States.

 

40. "Smilax à feuilles de Laurier."

 

Smilax laurifolia. A southern climbing plant, not Canadian.

 

41. "Le Chêne saule."

 

Quercus phellos, Michaux. One of his varieties, probably the humilis; Willow oak.—grows in the Southern States.

 

42. "Chêne vert à feuilles oblongues."

 

Quercus virens. Live Oak. A native of Virginia to Florida, where the timber is in great request for ship building.

 

43. "Chêne à feuilles de Chátaigne."

 

Quercus prinos. Michaux. One of his varieties, of which he has several; they are made distinct species by Pursh; mostly natives of the south, although it is probable that some of them may be discovered in Canada. The wood is said to pass as white oak.

 

44. "Chêne noir."

 

Quercus ferruginea. Michaux. Black jack oak. Grows in New Jersey and southward.

 

45. "Chêne blanc aux feuilles armées de pointes."

 

Quercus palustris? Pin Oak. Charlevoix' description is so obscure that it is difficult to identify it with any species; it comes nearest to the palustris. New England, to Pensylvania, in swamps.

 

46. "Chêne blanc de Virginie."

 

Quercus alba. White Oak. This Oak is very generally diffused throughout North America, from Canada to Florida, and is of all the species, the most generally useful in the arts. Great quantities of this wood are annually brought to Quebec from Upper Canada and the State of New York, in the log; and made into staves of different sizes for exportation to Europe and the West Indies. It is not found nearer to Quebec, than the Three Rivers.

 

47. "Le Chêne d'eau." Quercus aquatica. Water Oak. Grows in swamps in Maryland to Florida.

 

48. "Le Chêne rouge." Quercus rubra. Red Oak. A large tree, whose wood is of little value, except for dry barrel staves. A very ornamental tree for parks. This is the Oak commonly found about Quebec.

 

49. "Peuplier noir de la Caroline."

 

Populus angulata.  Mississippi Cotton Tree. A large tree growing in Virginia to Florida; the young branches are angular.

 

50. "Liseton pourpre de la Caroline."

 

Convolvulus sagittifolius. A southern climbing herbaceous plant.

 

51. "Tupelo."

 

Nyssa tomentosa. Large Tupelo. Wild Olive. A large tree growing in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

 

52. "Autre Tupelo." Nyssa biflora.  Black Gum. A Southern tree.

 

53. "Arbrisseau aromatique."

 

Calycanthus fioridus. Carolina alspice. Sweet scented shrub. A native of Carolina.

 

54. "Casine ou Apalachine."

 

Ilex vomitaria. A handsome shrub, growing on the sea coast of Carolina to Florida.

 

55. "Aconit du Canada."

 

Actæa Americana, alba et rubra. Herb Christopher. — White and red Cohosh. An herbaceous perennial plant growing commonly in woods about Quebec; it is said to possess medicinal properties."

 

56. "Petit Apocynon du Canada."

 

Apocynum androsEemifolium. Dogbane. An herbacious perennial growing abundantly about Quebec on dry ground: it produces clusters of handsome bell shaped flowers at the ends of the branches. It is sometimes called "Herbe à la puce."

 

57. "Lierre à trois feuilles du Canada."

 

Rhus toxicodendron. Poison vine. "Herbe à la puce." This is the plant which is supposed to communicate the unpleasant affection of the skin, known by the above Canadian name. It grows abundantly on Cape Diamond and on the banks of the St. Lawrence; the climbing variety has not been discovered about Quebec.

 

58. "Lierre à cinq feuilles du Canada."

 

Cissus hederacea. Five leaved Ivy. A shrubby climber, growing at Montreal; not found at Quebec except in a cultivated state.

 

59. "Trèfle du Canada."

 

This appears to be a Psoralea, or Hedysarum.

 

60. "Solanum à trois feuilles du Canada."

 

Trillium erectum. Herb true love. An herbaceous perennial producing in May, from the centre of its three leaves, a large brownish purple flower, having a disagreeable scent; plentiful about Quebec.

 

61. "Grande consolide du Canada."

 

This is a Solidago, but it is impossible to make out the species by Charlevoix' description; there are a great many in Canada.

 

62. "Herbe à Serpens à Sonnettes."

 

Bidens frondosa? An annual plant growing in Pensylvania to Carolina.

 

63. "Seneka."

 

Polygala senega. Seneca Snake root. A perennial herbaceous plant, possessing medicinal properties; it has not been found near Quebec.

 

64. "Plakminier de la Floride."

 

Diospyrus virginica. Persimmon. A tree growing from New York to Florida, bearing a fruit the size of a plum, which is eatable after having been mellow'd by frost.

 

65. "La Sarrasine."

 

Sarracenia purpurea. Side saddle flower. An herbaceous perennial growing in sphagnous swamps about Quebec: the leaves are tubular or pitcher shaped and are always filled with water. This very singular plant was named after a Dr. Sarrasin of Quebec.

 

66. "Sang Dragon du Canada."

 

Sanguinaria canadensis. Blood root. A perennial herbaceous plant, growing throughout Canada. Its thick fleshy roots are full of a deep red juice, and have cathartic and emetic qualities.

 

67. "Matagon du Canada."

 

Cornus canadensis. A low herbaceous plant growing about Quebec on dry ground: it bears a small red fruit four or five together, containing a flat stone; it is sometimes exposed for sale in market by the name of "Graine de perdrix," but this name I believe, is also given to the fruit of Gautheria procumbens and Mitchella repens.

 

68. 69. "La Canneberge, deux especes."

 

Oxycoccus vulgaris and macrocarpus. Two kinds of Cranberry. Atoca. Two slender recumbent shrubby evergreens, growing in swampy and marshy grounds, producing the well known fruit called Cranberry: the former species grows in a sphagnous swamp at Sillery; the fruit is very delicious: the other grows in abundance in the bays bordering on Lake St. Peter, and bears the fruit usually brought to market.

 

70. "Hedisaron à trois feuilles du Canada."

 

Hedysarum canescens? An herbaceous perennial.

 

71. "Fumetaire gousseuse et toujours verte du Canada."

 

Corydalis glauca. A beautiful biennial plant, of a light green colour, bearing flowers handsomely marked with yellow red and green: grows in Stc. Foi wood.

 

72. "Fumaria tuberosa, insipida Canadensis."

 

Corydalis cucularia. Breeches flower . A pretty little herbaceous perennial, growing on the Island of Orleans.

 

73. "Petite Ancholie du Canada."

 

Aguilegia canadensis. Columbine. A handsome herbaceous perennial, growing on the rocks on the shores of the St. Lawrence, and on Cape Diamond.

 

74. "Aster, ou Etoile jaune ailée."

 

Helenium autumnale? An herbaceous plant having the appearance of a small sunflower; grows on the shores of the St. Lawrence near the Etchemin.

 

75. "Petite aster d'automne à larges feuilles."

 

Aster macrophyllus. The most common Aster about Quebec; it bears a corymb of pale blue flowers.

 

76. "Panacée du Canada."

 

Aralea racemosa. Spikenard. An herbaceous plant growing to the height of four or five feet, generally in shady moist places; its root is aromatic and is said to possess medicinal properties.

 

77. "Souchet de l'Amérique."

 

Cyperus odoratus? A southern grass-like plant growing on banks of rivers.

 

78. "Bignonia à feuilles de Rocou."

 

Catalpa syringasfolia. Catalpa. A handsome southern tree; it is much planted about New York for ornament, but too tender to thrive here; a plant at Woodfield annually dies down to the root, making shoots every year about four feet high.

 

79. "Petit Laurier de la Caroline."

 

Laurus Benzoin or Dyospyrus; both small shrubs growing in Carolina and southwards.

 

80. "Solanun à trois feuilles de la Caroline."

 

Trillium sessile. A southern herbaceous plant, resembles No. 60.

 

81. "Le pied de Veau de l'Amérique."

 

Arum sagittifolium. An herbaceous plant growing in the water; Pensylvania to Carolina.

 

82. "Racine de la Chine."

 

Smilax tamnoides. An herbaceous climber, native of Virginia to Carolina.

 

83. "Chèvrefeuille droite."

 

Azalea periclymenoides. Upright Honey-suckle. An ornamental shrub of several varieties, growing throughout the States: there are many other species, but none are yet found in Lower Canada.

 

84. "Elleborine."

 

Pogonia ophioglossoides. A beautiful orchideous plant, growing abundantly in a sphagnous swamps at Sillery.

 

85. "Arbrisseau aux feuilles d'Aulne."

 

Clethra alnifolia. A handsome shrub, native of the United States, New England to Virginia.

 

86. "Le Noyer noir."

 

Juglans nigra. Black Walnut. A large tree native of the States and of Upper Canada west of Ontario. Its timber is very dark coloured, and is much used by Cabinet makers for making tables and other furniture: it is brought to this market in saw'd stuff from the Niagara frontier.

 

87. "Faseole à fleurs rouges."

 

Erythrina herbacea. A beautiful perennial of Carolina and Florida.

 

88. "Sorbier du Canada."

 

Sorbus   Americana. Mountain Ash. Masquabina. A small tree producing clusters of red berries, common about Quebec; the whole plant abounds in prussic acid.

 

89. "Bruyère qui porte des Bayes."

 

Empetrum nigrum. Crake berry. A low straggling shrub; grows on the islands and shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

 

90. "Epinette ou Sapinette du Canada."

 

Pi nus nigra v. alba. Black or white Spruce.  Two upright pyramidal trees; from the branches of the former is made the wholesome beverage spruce beer; and the timber of both, but of the former in preference is manufactured into deals, for exportation to the Irish market principally; they both grow about Quebec, and abundantly throughout Canada.

 

91. "Bourdène du Canada."

 

Viburnum nudum? A small tree growing about Quebec, producing clusters of black fruit.

 

92. "Meleze ou Cèdre du Canada."

 

Pinus microcarpa. Larch. Epinette rouge. This is a deciduous pine attaining a tolerably large size. The timber is used for spars of ships and the roots for knees. The wood is preferred as fuel for steam-boats. Common about Quebec and throughout Canada.

 

93. "Bluet du Canada."

 

Vaccinium pensylvanicum. Whurtle berries. Bilberries. A shrub about a foot high, producing the well known fruit of the above names; it is very common about Quebec.

 

94. "Savinier à feuilles de Cyprès du Canada."

 

Juniperus Virginiana. Red cedar. Cèdre rouge. A small tree producing the wood with which lead pencils are made. It grows round Lake Ontario, and at the falls of the Ottawa.

 

95. "Petit Alisier à feuilles d'Arbousier."

 

Aronia arbutifolia? Persoon. A shrub four or five feet high growing throughout the States.

 

96. "Petit Buis du Canada."

 

Vaccinium Vitis Idæa. A recumbent evergreen shrub producing a red whurtle berry; it is not common, but is to be found on the road side in Sillery wood. It is also an European plant.

 

97. "Grande Statice de l'Amérique."

 

98. "Panacée musqué du Canada."

 

Chærophyllum Claytoni? An umbelliferous plant, having a pleasant fragrance.

 

The plants which Charlevoix describes in Nos. 14, 15 & 97, have not-been ascertained.