1 00 = CM =co "CO D FLOWERS AST; OF IE ROCKIES i I ! A, REED A Young Botanist ! WILD FLOWERS EAST OF THE ROCKIES BY * CHESTER A. REED, B. S. Author of Land Birds, Water Birds, North American Birds, Etc. With 320 Flowers in Color, painted by the Author CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER, MASS. 1910 COPYRIGHTED 1910 CHAH. K. REED WORCESTER, MASS. 6OB83(I 4.7. 55- TO MERTICE ELAINE The Little "Flower Girl" in the Frontispiece This Book is Affectionately Inscribed PREFACE Every book has a reason for its being, — or should have. There are excellent flower books, galore, but apparently there is a break in the series into which it is hoped the present volume will make a welcome fit. We are living in a progressive age, an inquisi- tive age, an age in which we want to know the names and meaning of all we see and hear. I have always held that a well-executed colored picture, as a means of identification, is worth pages of text. Of course the text is necessary to call attention to the salient points of the picture. In the case of flowers, birds, mammals, etc., the habits, ranges, sizes and other important points must be obtained from the text, but the picture, itself, forms the basis of quick and sure identification. I was practically brought up among birds and, con- sequently, flowers, because the two are inseparable companions in the fields. Wherever I wandered, I had one eye open for "new" flowers. Every such prize went home with me; if not carried in the hand, why, — in the top of the hat. No sooner home than out came the old ''Gray's", the microscope and dis- secting points. Sister and I eagerly weighed the evi- dence, placing the "find" in one family and then an- other, as discrepancies were found, until at last, we had it cornered down to the family, the genus and, finally, the exact species. Every new invention is designed to accomplish some end quicker or better than it has been done before. viii Preface Every step aims to be a step in advance. The scien- tific botanist, a term correlary to that of "closet Nat- uralist" used in Ornithology, still does, and always will, analyze his flowers. The layman, however, has no interest in whether the seeds have copious albu- men, or not, or in the number of cells in the plant ovary; he sees a flower, — it may be beautiful, it may be odd or even its very ugliness may attract his at- tention, but he wants to know what it is. To such seekers, and they include the majority of Nature lov- ers, scientific botany is as a foreign tongue, but the popular book with the colored pictures furnishes an open key to knowledge. That is why this book appears: — We do not claim it to be perfect, for we know its shortcomings. But, in so far as it lies in our power, it has been made to serve the most people to their best advantage, taking into consideration the limitations set upon size and upon price. Flowers vary endlessly in size, in color and shape. Some have simple stems, others are very branchy and bushlike in appearance. Obviously if we attempted to draw the whole of a branching plant, reducing it down to the size of a small page, the flowers would be so tiny they could barely be seen. In all cases it has been our object to show the flower and that part ol the plant that will best serve to identify it. In nearly every case the typical form of flower and of leaf is shown. To as great an extent as is practical, all technical terms have been avoided. In order, however, that one may if he wish learn the meanings of the botani- cal terms that are in very common use, a Glossary is provided. Preface ix The opening pages touch briefly upon the subject of pollenization and propagation of plants. This is a study in itself and an exceedingly interesting one. There is still opportunity for a great deal of valuable research in this line of study; in fact, it is in the hope of awakening interest in this line that the many brief allusions in the text, to the methods of fertilization are made. The interdependence existing between the plant, the insect and the animal world is amazing. One will be astonished at the truths he will Discover by closely watching the living plants and their visi- tors. The body of the book contains plants, chiefly herbs, found east of the Rocky Mountains, that are conspicu- ous in flower. These are arranged in their natural and most approved order. Many attempts have been made to group flowers according to their colors, but there are so many colors and flowers of the same spe- cies vary so greatly that all such attempts have been chiefly failures as far as assisting easy identification is concerned. About 90 per cent of the paintings, from which the colored illustrations were made, were sketched and colored directly from freshly collected flowers gath- ered from Maine to Virginia. I have been very great- ly assisted in the work by many friends, and am es- pecially indebted to Mrs. Ella L. Horr, Custodian at the Worcester Natural History Museum, and to Mr. Herbert D. Braman, Curator in the Dept. of Mineral- ogy, in the same Institution; very many of the flow- ers figured herein, especially some of the rarer varie- ties, were collected and kindly loaned by them. The technical descriptions and ranges are based x Preface chiefly upon "Gray's Manual" and "Britton and Brown". The scientific names and order of classifi- cation are those adopted by the international Botani- cal Congress, the same as now incorporated in the new seventh edition of "Gray's." CHESTER A. REED, Worcester, Mass. March, 1910. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface VII Glossary of Botanical Terms XIII Parts of Plants 3 Methods of Reproduction 9 Specialized Flowers 14 WILD FLOWERS 17 Key to Flowers by Color 402 Index . . 409 Preface xiii GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS. Acute — Terminating in a sharp point. Adventive. — Not perfectly naturalized. Alternate — Not opposite, but singly at different heights on the stem. Annual — Of only one year's duration. Anther — That part of a stamen containing pollen. Appressed — Lying close and flat against. Axil — Angle formed by a leaf and stem. Basal — Leaves springing from the stem at the ground. Biennial — Of two years duration. Bilabiate — Two-lipped. Bract — A small, modified leaf usually at the base of a flower stem. Bulbous — Having underground leaf-buds with fleshy scales or coats. Calyx — The outer perianth, or "cup" of a flower. Campanulate — Bell-shaped. Cleistogamous — Fertilized in the bud, without the opening of the flower. Composite — A compound flower head containing many tubular or ray florets, seated in a bracted, or scaly cup or involucre. (As daisy, thistle, etc.) Compound — Composed of several similar parts, or a leaf made up of several leaflets. Cordate — Heart-shaped with the point upwards. Corm — The enlarged, solid bulb-like base of a stem. Corolla — The inner perianth of a flower, usually of petals as opposed to sepals of the calyx. Corymb — A flat topped cluster of flowers. xiv Preface Cross-fertilization — >The pollen of one flower coming into contact with the stigma of another. Creeping — A stem running along the ground and root- ing at intervals. Deciduous — 'Falling off; not evergreen. Dentate — Toothed. Disc Flowers — Tubular florets found in the centers of composite flowers. Entire — Smooth-edged; no teeth or divisions. Evergreen — Having green leaves at all times. Fertile — Capable of producing fruit. Fertilization — The quickening of the seed in the flow- er ovaries by pollen from the anthers. Filament. — The thread-like part of a stamen. Floret — A small tubular flower, usually one of a cluster. Glabrous — Smooth; not rough or hairy. Glaucus — Covered wtih a whitish bloom. Hirsute — Covered wtih rather coarse hairs. Imperfect — Flowers with either stamens or pistil wanting. Introduced — Brought intentionally from other re- gions. Involucre — A cup-shaped cluster of bracts surround- ing a head or flower cluster. Irregular — With parts unequal in size or shape. Lanceolate or lance-shaped — Much longer than wide; pointed at the end and tapering at the base. Leaflet — A single division of a compound leaf. Linear — Long, narrow, with parallel margins. .Lip — Either division of a two-parted corolla; the broadened petal of an orchid. Lobe — A rounded division of a flower or leaf. Midrib — The central vein of a leaf. Naturalized — Floral immigrants that have become firmly established. Nerve — A single, unbranched vein or rib. Preface xv Oblong — Longer than broad, with nearly parallel sides. Ovary — Part of the pistil containing seeds. Ovate — Egg-shaped, broad end downwards. Palate — A rounded projection of the lower lip clos- ing the throat. Palmate— Radially lobed; spreading like the .fingers of the hand. Parasitic — Stealing nourishment from other plants. Pedicel — The stem of a single flower. Peduncle — A flower-stalk supporting either a single flower or a cluster. Perennial — One that lasts year after year. Perfect Flower — One having both stamens and pis- til. Perfoliate — Leaf pierced by the stem. Perianth — The calyx and corolla of a flower. Petal — A single division of the corolla. Petiole — The stalk of a leaf. Pinnate — Compound, with leaflets arranged on each side of a common petiole. Pistil — The ovary, style and stigma of a flower. Pistillate — Female flowers; pistils but no stamens. Pollen — The life-producing grains in the anthers. Raceme — Pediceled flowers growing along a more or less elongated flower stem. Radiate — Growing from or around a common center. Ray — The marginal flowers surrounding a disc. Rib — A prominent vein of a leaf. Root — That part of a plant underground. Scape — A leafless flower-stem rising from the ground. Sepal — A division of the calyx. Serrate — Having sharp teeth pointing forward. Sessile — Without rootstalk, pedicel or petiole. Simple — Not compounded or branched. Spadix— A thick, fleshy spike usually in a spathe. Spathe — A large bract enclosing flowers. xvi Preface Spatulate — Rounded at the end and gradually narrow- ing at the base. Spike — Sessile flowers on an elongated stem. Spur — A nectar-bearing, hollow extension of some portion of a blossom. Stamen — One of the pollen-bearing organs. Standard — The upper, dilated petal of a pea-like flow- er. Stem — The main ascending axis of a plant. Sterile — Unproductive. Stigma — That part of a pistil through which pollen effects an entrance. Stipsule — An appendage, or bract, at base of petiole. Style — Connection between the stigma and ovary. Tuber — A short, thick, underground root having num- erous buds or eyes. Tufted — Growing in clumps or clusters. Umbel — A flower cluster with pedicels all from a com- mon center. Veins. — 'Thread-like branching nerves. Whorl — Arrangement in a circle about stem. WILD FLOWERS EAST OF THE ROCKIES Their Construction, their Growth and their Manner of Living Descriptions and Colored Plates of those Species conspicuous in Flower COMPOUND-PINNATE SPATULAIE. PARTS OF PLANTS. Plants vary endlessly in turn but, with the excep- tion of a few parasitic ones, all have roots. FORMS OF ROOTS. — The form of root most often found on plants is the fibrous root, made up of numer- ous branching rootlets or fibres. The thick, fleshy, horizontal root found on most perennials is called the rootstalk; the plant stem grows in new positions each year, leaving scars to denote the locations of stems of previous years. Many grow from round Bulbs, composed of over-lapping fleshy scales; oth- ers have solid, fleshy bulbs, or Corms. Often roots give off what are called Stolens, underground running roots that at intervals throw up new plants and form new roots. FORMS OF STEMS. — A Simple stem is one that rises from the root, with no branches before the flt>w- er or flower-cluster is reached. Stems are Erect when they are stout, stiff or perfectly capable of maintaining themselves in an upright position. They are Reclining when they are too weak to hold them- selves erect. They are Prostrate or Creeping when they run along the ground, rooting at intervals, or from angles of the leaves; such stems usually turn up at the end or give off erect flowering branches. A plant is called stemless when the leaves all ra- diate from the base; in such cases the stalk bearing the flowers is the Scape. FORMS OF LEAVES. — Leaves are Linear when they are exceedingly narrow compared to their width, and the sides are practically parallel. They are 4 Wild Flowers East of the Rockies Lanceolate when they are long compared to the width, are pointed at the outer end and taper towards the stem end, the greatest width coming near the stem. Spatulale leaves are rounded or bluntly-point- ed, broadest near the tip and taper gradually to the stem. Leaves are Arrow-shaped if they have a V- shaped appendage on each side of the base; if these appendages are rounded, the leaves are called Auri- culate. Other common forms are Heart-shaped, Oblong, Oval and Round. Leaves are Entire-edged when they are neither toothed nor lobed; they are Toothed when the edges are regularly and angularly notched; they are Scal- loped when these teeth are rounded. When a leaf has rounded projections on its edge, it is said to be Lobed; when these projections are angular, it is said to be Incised. A leaf made up of several smaller ones is Compound. A leaf is Palmately-compounded or Palmately-lobed when the leaflets, or the lobes, radiate from a com- mon center. A compound leaf is Pinnate when the leaflets are regularly arranged on either side of a common stem or axis; when each of these leaflets is also pinnate, the entire leaf is said to be Bipinnate. A leaf stem is called its Petiole. Leaves that have no stems, but are seated directly upon the plant stem, are said to be Sessile. If the plant stem apparently pierces the leaf, the latter is Perfoliate. Two leaves appearing, one on either side of the stem, at the same height are Opposite. If three or more leaves appear about the stem, at the same height, they are Whorled. Alternate leaves are those appearing regularly along the stems at different heights. If the leaf should clasp the stem with its base it is said to be Sheathing. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 5 Bracts are small leaves that appear oftenest at the junctions of flower stems with the stalk. Stipules are small bracts often appearing where a leaf petiole joins the stem. FORMS OF FLOWERS.— A Perfect flower is one that has a pistil and stamens. The Pistil is usually in the center of the blossom; it is composed of the Ovary, containing the seeds, usually located at the base; of a Stigma, for the reception of pollen, usually at the summit of the pistil; and of a Style, this being the, usually, slender connecting link between the sigma and the ovary. Stamens usually radiate from the base of the pistil. At their ends we find enlargements or little cases called the Anthers; these contain fine, dust-like parti- cles called Pollen. A simple, regular, perfect flower has a Calyx, the outermost part of the floral envelope, divided into four or five parts each being Sepal, a Corolla, the inner part of the floral envelope, divided into four or five parts called the Petals, a pistil and four or five stamens. This is the most simple form of flower; from it there are endless variations. Some have one of the petals enlarged, dilated, twisted or broad- ened into some unusual form as shown in the Or- chids, others have two or more of the petals united as in the Pulse Family; or again, the sepals and pet- als may be uniform in size, shape and color as in the Lilies, the whole forming what is called the Perianth. Reference to the plate of Flower Forms will give one a much clearer idea than would text in regard to the outlines of flower shapes commonly found. A single flower, or flower head, at the end of a simple Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 7 stem is called Solitary and Terminal. If several are grouped together, they are in a Cluster. Clusters or solitary flowers may occur at the ends of branches or from the angle formed by a leaf and the stem, in which case they are said to be Axillary. Clusters of flowers assume different forms. When the blossoms are distributed along the upper part of the stem, each on a slender pedicel and at different heights, they are in a Raceme, if they are so distributed, but the flowers are stemless the forma- tion is said to be a Spike. If the cluster is rounded or hemispherical, the flower pedicels all radiating from a common point, it is said to be an Umbel. If the cluster is rather flat on top and the pedicels meet the axis at different points, it is a Corymb. If the end of a stem is enlarged, thick and fleshy, and has tiny flowers grouped on its surface, it is a Spadix. If this spadix is enclosed in a leafy or fleshy protection, the latter is a Spathe. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies METHODS OF REPRODUCTION OF PLANTS. All living creatures are so constructed as to be capable of reproducing their kind. In fact, with all the lower Orders, that is the one object in their life. We have seen that flowers have stamens and pistils. These are the reproductive organs; the calyx, petals, nectar and fragrance are for other purposes as we shall see later. The simple pistil is composed of three most im- portant parts: At the summit is a stigma, this usual- ly being sticky; just below is a slender tube called the style; at the base, the pistil is enlarged or swol- len and contains the ovules or undeveloped seeds. The simple stamen is composed of a slender filament supporting at its end a little case or enlargement con- taining a fine powder-like substance called pollen. The relationship between the pistil and the stam- ens was first discovered by a botanist named Grew, in the 17th century. His discovery, later confirmed by Linnaeus, was that in order for the seed to be de- veloped, pollen from the anther must come in contact with the stigma, thence being transmitted through the style to the seeds below and quickening them to life. Many puzzling propositions occurred, that these scientists were unable to unravel, — as, — "if the stam- ens were shorter than the pistil, how could the pollen ever reach the stigma?" It remained for Sprengel, late in the 18th century to declare that pollen was carried from the anthers to the stigma by insects 10 Wild Flowers East of the Rockies while feeding on the flowers. He also discovered that the corolla, often brightly colored, was for the purpose of attracting insects and the nectar was for their food; fragrance also was a factor in drawing about the useful insects and, often, lines on the cor- olla or petals directed the visitor to the supply of food at the base. It remained for the great Darwin to discover the exact truth about the many complicated methods of fertilization. Whereas Sprengel had supposed in- sects simply transferred pollen from the anther to the stigma on the same flower, Darwin claimed that it was of vital importance that the pollen from one blossom should be left at the stigma of a different one, and that many flowers were so constructed that they were incapable of being fertilized by their own pollen. Nature's plan is to disperse families in order to pre- vent interbreeding, the continuance of which de- creases vitality. All plants are slowly developing schemes for insuring cross-fertilization. Many flow- ers now are self-pollenized, but all first offer the op- portunity to insects of various kinds to perform that oflice for them, and flowers so cross-pollenized will be stronger and healthier than the others. In ages to come, we may expect that, through the gradual elimination of the weaker, all species will be in- capable of self-pollenization. Methods for the preventing of self-pollenization are numerous and varied. The simplest is in having the anthers or stigma mature, one before the other. Many ingenious devices locate these members where they may not come in contact with one another, and so that an incoming insect will first touch the stigma and then, as he is departing, be showered with or Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 11 have masses of pollen attached to some portion of his anatomy. Many plants, usually annuals, whose roots die each year and that are dependent entirely upon setting of seed for their existence, have what are called cleis- togamous flowers. These are bud-like flowers that never open, but fertilize themselves In the bud. These plants also have flowers that do open and that try to woo insect visitors; the others are for protec- tion in case of several years shortage of useful in- sects. Just as some flowers are so careful in adapting themselves to certain useful insects, they must be just as careful in protecting themselves against use- less ones. In general, smooth bodied insects are of little value to plants, but they all like nectar. The most useless visitors are crawling ones, especially ants and it is against these that plants must erect their barriers. The most frequently used preventative is a downy stem. The small hairs impede upward progress and often exhaust the tiny insects before they can reach the flower; often the calyx is sticky and the maraud- er finds a barrier from which he must turn or risk being caught on its surface. Some flowers have their nectar in long slender tubes so that only moths, but- terflies or long-tongued bees can reach it. Others have the entrance closed with a palate, to open which the weight of a bee on the platform outside is neces- sary. Still others, like the Closed Gentian, are al- ways closed, but the petals can be forced apart by the strong bumblebee. Many flowers are very highly specialized, — adapted to be fertilized by but one species of insect. This Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 13 specialization is carried to the highest degree in the great Angraecum Orchid of Madagascar, that has a nectar tube eleven inches in length. But one insect, a huge sphinx-moth, has a tongue of sufficient length to drain this nectary and to this insect alone, the plant owes its existence. It is related that Darwin, being confronted with the evidence of this flower against one of his theories, claimed that such a moth lived, even before it had been discovered. The seeds having been matured must be dispersed. The simplest method is simply allowing them to drop to the ground; a better one is to provide for their spreading, this constantly widening the range of a species and making a stronger race by bringing to- gether widely distant families. We have all seen the rough-coated milkweed pods that burst open in the Fall and release quantities of silky-winged seeds. This flossy subtance is not for ornament; neither is it designed to amuse children. Each seed has an airy parachute that often carries it miles from the scenes of its birth before it finally conies to earth. This method is perhaps the sim- plest and best for wide dispersal; many flowers have adopted it, — thistles, dandelions, etc. Others have seeds in pods, like touch-me-not, that explode when they are matured and scatter the seeds over an area of several square yards. Still another method is of having tiny hooks, like the seeds of the genus Bidens, or in burs, like the burdock, that at- tach themselves to the hair of passing animals or the clothing of persons, and travel, perhaps, miles be- fore they are shaken or brushed off. 14 Wild Flowers East of the Rockies EXAMPLES OF SPECIALIZED FLOWERS. By specialized is meant flowers that are incapable of self-pollenization. The common apple or pear blossom is a regular, simple and perfect flower. The stamens surround a single central pistil; the anthers, however, mature before the stigma develops, so pollen of a blossom will have no effect should it fall upon the stigma of the same flowers. It is not specialized to the ex- tent of being dependent upon a certain insect, but welcomes all kinds of bees. Alighting in the center of the blossom, the bee commences to drain the base of nectar; as he turns this way and that, in order to get all of it, the an- thers dust him well with pollen and off he flies to the next flower, perhaps one in which the stigma is ripened; as he lands in the center some of the precious pollen is left on its sticky surface and his mission, as far as the blossom is concerned, is com- pleted. Bluets, the tiny blue and white flowers that grow so very abundantly in dry fields, have an interesting lesson to teach us concerning plant ways. It is an excellent example of a "dimorphic" plant, — one hav- ing two kinds of flowers. These different flowers do not grow on the same plant, nor usually in the same clump. The little pictures on the plate will serve to show the different forms of the flowers, better than I can describe them. Examine one little clump care- fully and you will find four little yellow anthers in a Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 15 slight enlargement near the mouth of the corolla tube, and almost blocking it; further examination of this flower will disclose a short pistil with a forked stigma in the lower part of the tube. Care- fully look over other clumps and you find some in which the divided stigma will appear at the throat, in place of the Anthers found in the first instance. You will also notice that the corolla tube, in this last instance, contracts a little just above the base; just above this contraction we will find the four anthers. The anthers and stigma in each flower mature* at the same time, yet the flower cannot fertilize itself; the pollen grains of anthers at the top of the tube, are larger than those in anthers located near the base. The pollen from the high anthers will not quicken the seed of a low pistil, neither will that of a low anther accomplish this result with a high pil- til. Thus it is absolutely necessary that the life-giving germs be carried not only from one flower to another, but usually from one clump to another. Bees and small butterflies commonly visit bluets, the bees, with their larger tongues, being the most service- able; as he sips the nectar from the cup, if a high- anthered one, he gets pollen on his tongue near the face; if a low-anthered flower, the pollen is attached near the tip of the tongue. In either case it will be left at the door of the first flower he visits of the op- posite kind. Nearly any flower that we may chance to pick will have its story to tell to the sharp-eyed, — more interesting than fiction can relate, because they are truths. We may learn how the Mountain Laurel has its pollen on tiny springs waiting to clap it at the 16 Wild Flowers East of the Rockies proper moment on the body of a visiting insect. The milkweed will show us how its pollen masses are connected in pairs; how the legs of butterflies and bees become caught in the sharp angle of this con- necting link; how the pollen masses are torn from their sheaths and carried to another blossom, a re- verse operation freeing the insect from the valuable part of his burden and leaving it at its proper destin- ation; and, alas, how many insects, not strong enough to free themselves, perish in this trap. TJie Orchids, wonderful creations, and the most highly specialized of all our flowers, each being adapted almost exclusively to a certain species of insect, will show us their ingenious methods of plas- tering their pollen masses to the eyes or the tongues of their visitors. This study of the reproduction of plants offers a very wide field for investigation, a field much differ- ent from the old botanist, concerned only in the dis- section of specimens. It calls for study in the field, a study of Life, a study that is worth while. WILD FLOWERS East of the Rockies A. COMMON CAT-TAIL Typha lati folia. B. NARROW-LEAVED CAT-TAIL. Typha angustifolia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 19 CAT-TAIL FAMILY (Typhaceae). The members of this family are very abundant aquatic herbs with perennial roots. Sometimes we find them in groups of only two or three plants, and again acres of marsh may be covered with wav- ing green leaves. We have two species with differ- ences as noted below. Both have staminate yellow flowers in a spike above the pistillate brown ones; the former soon fall off or blow away, while the latter develop into the large, familiar, brown cat- tail that is often used for decorative purposes. These plants are self fertilized by the pollen from the stam- inate flowers falling upon the stigmas of the pistil- late ones below. Tracts of cat-tail marshes usually furnish homes for various species of birds. The Marsh Wren at- taches its handsome globular nest to the rushes a few feet above water; Least Bitterns fasten their rude platforms also in the leaves, while rails, coots and grebes find appropriate places among the roots on the ground, at the waters edge or even floating upon the surface of the water. The two species of Cat-tails that we have, differ as follows : COMMON CAT-TAIL (Typha latifolia) has yellow- ish staminate flowers encircling the upper end of the flower stalk, and immediately below is a long cylin- drical mass of brownish pistillate ones. The pollen grains are arranged in fours. Leaves three to eight feet long, sheathing at the base. Found in marshes throughout the United States and southern Canada, flowering in June and July. NARROW-LEAVED CAT-TAIL (Typha angusti- folia) has narrower leaves, averaging less than % in. broad. The two kinds of flowers are separated by a bare space of stalk and the pollen grains are simple. This species is locally found from Me. to Mich, south- wards, chiefly near the coast. A. GREAT BUR-REED. Sparganium eurycarpum. B. BRANCHING BUR-REED. Sparganium androcladum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 21 BUR REED FAMILY (Sparganiaceae). The Bur Reeds are marsh inhabiting plants, some growing along the muddy shores of ponds or streams, while other species are strictly aquatic, growing in the water with floating leaves. Like the Cat-tails they are not in the least dependent upon in- sects for fertilization. The two kinds of flowers, staminate and pistillate are always in separate spheri- cal clusters, usually alternately arranged along the stem. While the upper flowers are developing, the middle ones are in full bloom and the lower ones have been transformed into spherical prickly fruit. Several varieties of Bur Reed are recognized, the ones here mentioned being the most common and the most characteristic. GREAT BUR-REED (Sparganium eurycarpum) is stout and erect, two to three feet in height. The mature heads, or fruit, are about one inch across; composed of wedge-shaped nutlets arranged in the form of a sphere, giving the outside a corrugated appearance similiar to the surface of a pineapple. The basal leaves are similar to those of the Cat-tail and clasp the stems at their bases. These plants are found in the whole of the U. S. and southern Canada, flowering from June to August. SMALL BUR REED (S. simplex) is smaller in every respect; leaves shorter and narrower and the greenish fruit head less than 3-4 in. in diameter; the nutlets are very sharply pointed. This species is found in northern U. S. and southern Canada. BRANCHING BUR REED (S. androcladum) throws off several weak flower-bearing branches from the angles of the upper leaves. LEAST BUR REED (S. minimum) is slender and ten to eighteen inches high; leaves grass-like, float- ing on the water; northern U. S. and Canada. A. BROAD-LEAVED ARROW-HEAD. Sagittaria latifolia. B. NARROW-LEAVED ARROW-HEAD. Sagittaria Engelmanniana. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 23 WATER PLANTAIN FAMILY (Alismaceae.) GENUS ARROW-HEAD (Sagittaria,) Arrow-heads or Sagittarias are among our most beautiful water plants. The leaves vary greatly in shape but are always graceful in appearance. All species have three pure white petals with a golden center formed by the large anthers. The following are the most distinctive of the twelve species now recognized in Gray's Botany. They usually grow in the water but sometimes on the muddy shores, and flower in June or July. Except as noted, these species are common in the U. S. and southern Canada. BROAD-LEAVED ARROW-HEAD (Sagittaria latifo- lia) has broad arrow-shaped leaves on long petioles from the root. The 3-petalled white flowers grow in whorls of three, the upper ones being staminate and the lower pistillate. Seed, winged on both edges and with a twisted horizontal beak. This species is smooth but a variety, ( pubescens) has the stem quite wooly. Common in the whole of our range. NARROW-LEAVED ARROW-HEAD (S. Engelman- niana) has very narrow leaves with linear sagittate bases. The seeds are winged but the beak points upwards instead of being bent at an angle as in the last. LANCE-LEAVED SAGITTARIA (S. heterophylla) has lance-shaped leaves with usually no sagittate ap- pendages to the bases. The seed is round, winged and with a vertical beak. This species is found from Me. to Minn, and southwards. GRASS-LEAVED SAGITTARIA (S. gracillima) has linear, grass-like leaves and grows wholly under water. In July a long slender flowering stem reaches to the surface and floats the small, 3-petalled white flowers. Found locally in the East. Used extensive- ly in aquaria as it is an excellent oxygen giver. JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT. Arisaema triphyllum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 25 ARUM FAMILY (Araceae). This is quite a large family of plants containing six genera. All have acrid or pungent juices; flowers closely crowded on a spadix, usually surrounded by a spathe; leaves either simple or compound and of various shapes. Genus (Arisaema). JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT or INDIAN TURNIP (Aris- aema triphyllum) is the most abundant and the best known representative of this genus. In most all moist woods and often in unexpected shady nooks, you will find Jack, represented by the spadix, look- ing out at you from his pulpit, represented by the spathe of the flower. The spathe is light green, more or less striped with brown, especially on the inside; the spadix is also green and has the tiny flowers clustered about its base. The flowers are sometimes of both kinds on one plant, but usually the stamens will be found on one and the pistils on a different one, thus insuring cross-fertilization, which is accomplished chiefly by small flies and gnats. The inside of the spathe is very slippery, as is also the spadix, so that many insects are unable to crawl up its sides and perish within. The large solid roots are very acrid and fiery to the taste, but are said to have been relished by the Indians, al- though they are now often used in the concoction of medicines. Usually two, thrice-compounded leaves spread shelteringly over the flower spathe on long stems. Large clusters of bright berries remain after the leaves have withered. Flowers throughout U. S. from April to July. ..GREEN DRAGON (Arisaema dracontium) has one leaf divided into ten radiating pointed leaflets on a long stem, sheltering the flowers clustered at the base of a projecting spathed spadix. A. WATER ARUM. Calla palustris. B. GOLDEN CLUB. Orontium aquaticum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 27 WATER ARUM (Calla palustris) is our only rep- resentative of its genus. It is quite a common plant in cool bogs, where it grows from six inches to a foot in height. The root stalks are perennial and branch out through the soft mud, continually throw- ing up new plants, until shallow ponds may become completely carpeted with the beautiful dark green, heart shaped leaves. The leaves stand above the water on long petioles. This plant is distinguished by a beautiful, waxy-white, spreading spathe that is often mistaken for the flower. The true flowers are small and perfect, clustered at the end of a yellow spadix. They give forth a rather disagreeable odor that attracts to them num- erous little flies that assist in pollenization, although the plant is capable of self-fertilization.. Each plant usually has but two leaves. The flower- ing season is in June; in August they have been transformed into clusters of red berries. You may find this plant commonly in cool bogs from N. J. and Mo. northwards. GOLDEN CLUB (Orontium aquaticum) is also our only member of its genus. As you will see by the op- posite picture, there is no protective spathe for the golden floral club, yet it flourishes equally as well as its more fortunate relatives. The florets are complete, having six sepals and stamens; they are set closely on the swollen spadix and attract many flies and even water snails that cross-fertilize them simply by crawling over the clubs. While there is no apparent spathe about the flower spike, it appears a little lower on the stem as a leaf- like, sheath. The leaves of the Golden Club are pointed oblong in shape, floating on the surface of the water by means of long stems from the perennial rootstalk. Flowers in May from Mass, to Fla. and westwards. SKUNK CABBAGE. Symplocarpus foetidus. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 29 Genus (Symplocarpus). The common SKUNK CABBAGE (Symplocarpus foetidus) although regarded by many only with dis- gust, has one claim that cannot be disputed, that of being our first flower to bloom each year. It is not uncommon to find them with the shell-like spathe above ground and the pollen fully ripened even in January although from the latter part of February to the first of May is the usual flowering season. While the ground is covered with snow, a tiny awl point thrusts its way through the hard earth and slowly enlarges and expands, until, by the time the melting snow gives us our first glimpse of the ground, we find the skunk cabbage fully developed and await- ing its insect visitors. The first warm days bring forth quantities of small flies, many of which have simply been dormant beneath the leaves. These flies feed upon decaying animal matter; they have no aesthetic taste and beautiful flowers would lack the attractiveness to them that the ill-scented skunk cab- bage has. We must conclude that this odor, combin- ing that of the skunk and of putrid meat is for the purpose of attracting carrion flies that they may per- form the function of fertilizing the flowers. The flower spathes show a very great diversity of coloring according to their age, ranging from a pale green sparingly streaked with brown to an almost solid purple tone. The flowers are small, perfect and closely crowd- ed on the thick fleshy spadix, concealed or partially so by .the large, thick, purple and green stained hood; The leaves appear after the flower has withered or commenced to do so; they are bright green, large, cabbage-like, and strongly veined; quite handsome, in fact. These plants range from N. S. to Minn, and southwards, chiefly in boggy ground. A. DAY-FLOWER. Commelina communis. B. SPIDERWORT. Tradescantia virginiana. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 31 SPIDERWORT FAMILY (Commelinaceae). A small family of herbs containing, in our range, about a dozen species under two genera. DAY-FLOWER (Commelina communis) is one of a very few of our native plants having pure blue flow- ers. Its common name is very appropriate because each blossom lasts but a single day, opening in the morning, and before night, shrinking away to a little mass of jelly. Its generic name was given by Linnaeus in honor of a Dutch family of botanists by the name of Commelin. It flowers all summer and spreads rapidly by striking out new roots from the leaf joints on the reclining stem. The stem is rather weak, much jointed and attains heights of one to two feet. The leaves are lance- shaped clasping the stem at its joints. The flowers have three irregular sepals and three petals; two petals are large, rounded and blue, while the third is tiny and colorless; three stamens are sterile and have no anthers, while three others are fertile, with orange anthers; the whole flower peeps out from a clasping, cordate, heart-shaped leaf or spathe. Found from Southern Mass, to Mich, and southwards, bloom- ing in rich woods or dooryards from June to Sept. SPIDERWORT; JOB'S TEARS (Tradescantia virg- inana), like the Day Flower, remains open but for part of a day, after which the petals contract into glutinous drops, thus giving it one of its common names. The generic name was given in honor of John Tradescant, who was gardener for King Charles the First. The stem is hairy and sticky; from one to two feet high. The leaves are linear, hairy and clasping at their bases. Three purple petals, three brown, hairy sepals and six orange tipped stamens compose the flowers. They may be found in rich soil from Me. to Mich, and southwards, flowering from June to August. A. PICKEREL-WEED. Pontederia cordata. B. MUD PLANTAIN. Heteranthera reniformis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 33 PICKEREL-WEED FAMILY (Pontederiaceae.) A small family of aquatic plants consisting, in our range, of only four species grouped under two genera. PICKEREL-WEED (Pontederia cordata) is an ex- ceedingly abundant water plant, growing profusely in shallow ponds or along the edges of fresh water streams, and flowering from June to Aug. Its name is derived from the habits of pickerel in concealing themselves beneath its leaves. . The flowers grow on a spike that proceeds from a small, green, leaf-like spathe; the 3 upper divisions of the 6-parted perianth are partially united, but the 3 lower ones are spreading; in color they are a light violet blue, with two yellow spots at the base of the upper united parts. Each flower lasts but a single day, but new ones continually appear on the length- ening stalk so that continual bloom exists through- out the summer. A single heart-shaped, cordate leaf clasps the stem about midway, while others on long petioles grow from the rootstalk. They are blunt tipped, deep glossy green, and stand above the surface of the water. Commonly found from N. S. to Manitoba and southwards. MUD PLANTAIN (Heteranthera reniformis) has a slender, few-flowered spike proceeding from a small sheath-like spathe. The perianth is blue and regularly 6-parted. The three stamens are* unequal, two being tipped with yellow anthers atfd the third with a greenish one. The leaves are round-lobed, kidney-shaped, floating on long stalks from the root. Found from Ct. to Neb. and southwards. H. dubia has a single yellow flower with equal stamens and grass-like leaves. It is found through- out the United States and southern Canada. A. BELLWORT. Uvularia perfoliata. B. WILD OATS. Oakesia sessi folia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 35 LILY FAMILY (Liliaceae). This is an exceedingly large family containing more than 80 species in our range, divided into 33 genera and 13 different tribes. Many of these rank as among our most beautiful flowers. They usually agree in having a 6-parted perianth and 6 Stamens. BELLWORT (Uvularia perfoliata) is common in rich woods. The stem, that reaches a length of 6 to 18 in., rises from a short rootstalk; it has scale-like bracts near the base and forks toward the top. A single, straw-colored flower is pendent from the end of each drooping branch; it is long, bell-shaped and has six narrow .divisions and six stamens much shorter than the perianth and shorter * than the style. The leaves are light green, lance-shaped and pierced by the stem; usually three below £he fork in the stem. The flowers are slightly fragrant and so concealed by their drooping position as tS be invis- ible from above. They blossom in May and June; found throughout the U. S. LARGE-FLOWERED BELLWORT (U. grandiflora) has larger flowers; stamens longer than the style and but one leaf below the fork in the stem. It is found from N. H. to Minn, and southwards. OAKESIA; WILD OATS (Oakesia sessifolia) has an angular stem from 6 to 14 in. long. The ovate-lance- olate leaves are seated on the stem and not pierced by it. One or two flowers are suspended opposite the leaves near the end of the stems; they are similar in size and coloring to those of Bellwort but the in- terior is smooth while the latter has rough ridges. This species is common from Me. to Minn, and south- wards. O. puberula is slightly downy. The leaves are bright green with no glaucus effect. It is found in the pine barrens from N. J. to S. Car. A. WILD LEEK. Allium tricoccum. B. WILD Garlic. Allium canadense. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 37 ONION; GARLIC Genus (Allium). The various species belonging to this genus are very strongly scented, pugent herbs growing from a coated bulb. The flowers grow in an umbel at the top of a long scape that is sheathed towards the base, by the leaves. The Wild Leek is peculiar in that the long, broad leaves usually wither away before the flowers appear. The six-parted flowers, that com- prise the cluster, are rich in honey and are frequent- ed by various species of the smaller bees. This spe- cies is found in rich woodland while the other mem- bers of the genus inhabit moist fields or marshes. WILD LEEK; WILD ONION (Allium tricoccum) is a woodland plant blooming in May and June. The flowers are in an umbel at the top of a scape 6 to 20 in. high. The flower perianth is divided into six greenish-white sepals. The leaves are oblong-lance- shaped, pointed at both ends, on long petioles from the bulbous root, but usually withering before the flowers appear. Found from N. B. to Minn, and southwards. A. cernuum has fewer, purplish flowers nodding in a loose umbel at the top of a longer scape. The leaves are linear. It is found from N. Y. to Mich, and southwards. WILD GARLIC (Allium canadense) has few pur- plish, 6-parted flowers on slender pedicels from a cluster of bulblets at the top of a scape 10 to 24 in. high. The leaves are grass-like, sheathing the stem above the fibrous bulb. Flowers in May and June in moist meadows, from N. B. to Mich, and southwards. FIELD GARLIC (A. vineale) (European) is very similar to the last species; the leaves are linear and round in cross section, sheathing the stem below the middle. Flowering commonly in wet meadows dur- ing June; Mass, to Mo. and Va. DAY LILY. Hemerocallis fulva. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 39 DAY LILY (Hemerocallis fulva) (EUROPEAN) will, we think, prove a welcome addition to our flora. It is now locally abundant in R. I., Conn., and N. Y. It flourishes best near salt water and spreads rapidly by means of its running roots as well as by seed. The flower stalk is tall, 2 to 5 feet, and at its summit bears eight or nine buds which open one or two a day into large showy flowers. The perianth is funnel-form, with six spreading orange limbs and six long stamens with large brown anthers. The blossoms appear in July and August, each remaining open for but a single day; this habit makes them very popular for vase flowers as the number of buds on each stalk insures fresh flowers every day for a week or more. The leaves are long and linear, similar to those of the Cat-tail, appearing from a fleshy perennial rootstalk at the base of the tall flower scape. In the absence of any odor, the beautiful flower cup serves to attract the bees that are necessary for the setting of its seed. Another species the YELLOW DAY LILY (H. Flava) has also escaped from cultivation, but is not nearly as common as the above. The flowers are bright yellow and the leaves a lighter shade of green; the blossoms are also fragrant. WILD HYACINTH! EASTERN QAMASS (Cam- assia esculenta) has small blue flowers in a simple raceme at the top of a scape from 6 to 24 inches high; the flowers appear on short pedicels and are bracted, the bracts being longer than the pedicels. The six divisions of the perianth are wide spread; both the stamens and the style are extremely slen- der. The scape and the linear, keeled leaves both rise from a coated bulb. This species is found grow- ing in rich ground from Pa. to Minn, and southwards. RED WOOD LILY. Lilium philadelphicum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 41 LILIES; Genus (Lilium). All the members of this genus are among our most beautiful flowers. In our range it includes eight spe- cies, of which seven are natives. The two species of Red Lily can readily be recognized because their perianth, or flower funnel, always opens upwards; the divisions of these perianths at their bases are very slender and stem-like in contrast with the fol- lowing species whose divisions are united in a tube at the base. Its name is rather misleading for, while it is sometimes found in woods, they will be found blooming most profusely in sandy or brush covered land. One of the prettiest sights of which I know may be seen during the flowering season on the east- ern end of the island of Martha's Vineyard on the cliffs known as Gay Head; as a rule each stalk there bears but a single flower at its summit. This also is true of the Southern Red Lily that is abundant on some of the sandy pine barrens of the southern states. WOOD LILY; WILD ORANGE-RED LILY (Lilium philadelphicum) has a leafy stem 1 to 3 feet high, at its summit bearing one to four erect (not pendulous) flowers; the divisions of the perianth are deep or- ange-red, lightening in color at the stem-like bases and profusely spotted with dark brown; the outside of the perianth is dull whitish-green. The leaves are lanceolate, sharply pointed at each end and whorled about the stem in groups of from three to seven. Blooms in July and August in sandy soil from N. E. to Mich, and southwards. SOUTHERN RED LILY (L. Catesbaei) has a single bright scarlet, bell-shaped, upright blossom, spotted withiri with purple and yellow. The leaves are narrow and scattered along the stalk. Found from N. C. to Mo. and southwards. TURK'S-CAP LILY. Lilium superbum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 43 TURK'S-CAP LILY (Lilium superbum) is a most beautiful flower; it is very appropriately speci- fically called superbum. It is prolific in bloom almost beyond belief. One has to see the tall, stately, leafy stalk, surrounded by a drooping cluster containing from thirty to forty brilliant orange flowers, in order to realize the impressiveness of this flower at its best. The bright sepals are always reflexed, some- times so much so that they remind one of a coiled spring. These lilies apparently know their own beau- ty for, be the surrounding foliage high or low, they will rear their flowering heads above it. They are cross-fertilized chiefly by bees and some of the larger butterflies. One has but to touch the large pendant anthers to get a practical demonstration of how the pollen is attached to the body of a bee and carried to another flower, there to be deposited on the sticky stigma of the mature style. Naturally a species so prolific of flower and so capable of being cross-ferti- lized by foreign agency is in little danger of having its numbers lessened. In fact, wherever it gets a foothold it spreads with great rapidity; a habit that I am sure is regretted by none who admire this beau- tiful lily, and these number all who have ever had the opportunity to see it. The flowers, nodding at the top of a stem ranging from 2 to 7 feet in height, have a six parted perianth, orange-red, thickly spotted with purplish brown; the six stamens have large, long brown anthers extend- ing far beyond the reflexed sepals. The lanceolate leaves are crowded along the upper stem and whorled about its lower portion. Blooms abundantly in rich soil, during July and August, from N. B. to Minn, and southwards. Lilium carolinianum is a quite similar species with broader leaves and only one to three flowers. Found on the borders of mountain woods from Va. south- wards. MEADOW LILY. Lilium canadense. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 4s5 FIELD, WILD, MEADOW, YELLOW or CANADA LILY (Lilium canadense) is one of the most abun- dant of the genus. Its graceful, bell-like heads nod in profusion in all suitable localities soon after it gains a foothold. Imagine a rich meadow, surround- ed by deep green woods and covered with thousands of these lilies, their heads hanging and nodding invit- ingly and seeming fairly to tinkle in the bright sun- light. They are great favorites with country chil- dren, by whom they are often called "Fairy Caps" or "Witch-caps". They are also great favorites with all the larger bees and butterflies. On the whole, this flower may be regarded as more graceful in form than is the Turk's-cap, but it cannot compare with the latter flower for beauty of coloring. The regular whorled leaves and graceful bending penduncles sup- porting the hanging "bells" make a conventional de- sign that often appeals to the artistic eye. The flowers are in terminal clusters of one to twelve blossoms, nodding on long peduncles from the summit of a tall leafy stem; yellowish-brown out- side and yellow or orange within, spotted with brown; sepals spreading and slightly reflexed, but not to any such degree as those of the Turks-cap. The leaves are lanceolate, arranged about the stem at intervals in whorls of three to eight. Flowers during June and July in moist meadows, .from Que- bec to Minn, and southwards to Ga. and Mo. GRAY'S LILY (L. Grayi) has one or two deep orange-red flowers in a horizontal position; thickly spotted within; sepals spreading but little and unit- ing in a larger base than the preceding. Leaves in whorls of three to eight. Found in mountains from Va. to N. C. TIGER LILY (L. tigrinum) (CHINESE) is a magni- ficent species with larger and brighter flowers than the Turk's-cap. Leaves 7-nerved instead of three. An escape from gardens. A. YELLOW ADDER'S-TONGUE. Erythronium americanum. B. CLINTONIA. Clintonia borealis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 47 DOG-TOOTH VIOLET; YELLOW ADDER'S TON- GUE (Erythronium americanum). These flowers are familiar and welcome ones to all who wander beside woodland brooks in the Spring. The name "Violet" is of course a misnomer. It is often locally known at the "Trout Lily" or the "Fawn Lily," both of which names are far more appropriate than those given it generally. The single flower grows at the top of a scape from 5 to 10 in. high; it is 6-parted. with a lily-like perianth, the sepals being dull yellowish, spotted near the bases With brownish. Two elliptical-lance- olate leaves clasp the scape at its base, near the scaly bulb; they are pale green, mottled with purple and white. This species blooms in April and May in moist woods or swamps, from N. B. to Minn, and southwards. WHITE ADDER'S TONGUE (E. albidum) is simi- lar in size and form but the flower that nods at the top of the scape is either white or pale violet. The two leaves are less distinctly, or not at all, spotted. This is found in the same range as the last. E, mesochoreum has narrower leaves and pale violet flowers. Prairies of la. and Mo. E. propullans has small pointed leaves and bright rose-colored flowers. Found in Minn, and Ont. CLINTONIA (Clintonia borealis) is named for and dedicated to a former N. Y. statesman, DeWitt Clin- ton. It is a beautiful species, its leaves resembling those of the Lily-of-the-Valley. The three to six pendulous, bell-shaped flowers are cream-colored within and greenish outside. Three large, oblong, pointed leaves clasp the flower scape at its base. The plant is about 6 to 16 in. high; it flowers during June in damp woods from Labrador to Man. and southwards. C. umbel lata has many smaller white flowers, spot- ted with purple. Mountains, N. Y. to Ga. FALSE SPIKENARD. Smilacina racemosa. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 49 WILD SPIKENARD (Smilacina racemosa) is quite an imposing plant, with its long, curving, zig- zag stem, its many light green deeply ribbed leaves and its feathery terminal flower clusters. The white flowers are tiny but perfect, with a 6- parted perianth, six slender stamens and a short, thick style. The stem is rather angular and attains a length of from 1 to 3 feet; alternating along it are the large, oval, sharply pointed leaves, with parallel ribs and wavy edge. The perennial rootstalk is thick and fleshy. Spikenard is quite abundant in most rich, uncleared ground, flowering in May and June, from Me. to Minn, southwards. FALSE SOLOMON'S SEAL (Smilacina stellata) bears some resemblance to the last species, but the flowers are much larger and few in number, usually only six or eight terminating the zigzag stem. The leaves are broader at the bases and slightly clasp the stem, whereas those of the last species have very short stems. It grows commonly, but not as much so as the last, on moist banks and in meadows, from Me. to Minn, and southwards. ASPARAGUS (Asparagus officinalis) (EURO- PEAN). This is the common garden Asparagus that is sold in markets throughout the land. Pew would think of it as belonging to the beautiful lily family but such is the case. Each scaly appendage on the vegetable, throws off a branch which divides and sub-divides into very numerous little branchlets, giving the plant an exceedingly beautiful and decorative appearance. The tiny yellow flowers appear in the axils of these branchlets during June. Later, bright red berries will be suspended on pedicels in place of the flow- ers. Asparagus is a common escape from gardens and may be met with anywhere. 4 B. A. CANADA MAYFLOWER. Mdianthemum canadense. B. FALSE SOLOMON'S SEAL. Smilacina trifolia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 51 THREE-LEAVED .FALSE SOLOMON'S .SEAL (Smilacina trifolia) is the smallest member of the genus Smilacina. It is found rather commonly in bogs and wet woods. It is, however, not nearly as abundant as the next very similar species. The stem is straight and slender, from 2 to 6 in. high. It us- ually has three leaves, but sometimes two or even four; they are shining green, oblong-pointed and sheathing at the base, arranged at regular intervals along the stem. The flowers are 'white, few in num- ber, on short peduncles in an open raceme at the sum- mit of the stem. It is found from Labrador to Mani- toba and southwards to N. J. and Mo., flowering dur- ing May and June. CANADA MAYFLOWER; FALSE LILY-OF-THE- VALLEY (Maianthemum canadense) is a very abund- ant woodland plant. It usually grows in colonies, thous- ands of them sometimes carpeting pine woods with their dark green glossy leaves. At a casual glance this species very closely resembles the last, but the distinction is very marked and as follows: The two, or three, broad, ovate-lanceolate, shiny green leaves are rather heart-shaped at the base, seated on the stem or very nearly so. The flower perianth has on- ly four divisions whereas that of the last species has six. After the flowering season both of these plants have berries; at first a creamy white, spotted with brown, and later turning to a dull ruby-red. It is unfortunate, and often confusing, that flowers should receive the common names that they do. Neither of these species in the least resembles the true Solomon's Seal and the only respect in which the False Lily-of-the-Valley resembles the real is that it usually has two leaves. This last species has the same range as the preceding. PURPLE TWISTED-STALK. Streptopus roseus. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 53 PURPLE TWISTED-STALK (Streptopus roseus) has, as would be judged from its name, a very angular or twisted stem. At each angle or joint, appears an ovate-lanceolate, cordately-ribbed, shining green leaf, seated on the stem; those of this species are bright green on both sides. From the axils of the terminal leaves appear small flowers on slender thread-like peduncles; these flowers are sometimes single or, again, in pairs; they have a bell-shaped base and the perianth is divided into six lanceolate, spreading dull purple sepals. The stem, which is rather sparingly bristly-hairy, reaches heights of 1 to 21/2 feet. This rosy species blooms in May and June in cold moist woods from Newfoundland to Manitoba and southwards to the Gulf of Mexico. COMMON TWISTED-STALK (Streptopus amplexi- folius) is similar but has greenish-white flowers, the six sepals of which are very strongly reflexed. The plant is somewhat larger, the smooth stem being from 2 to 3 feet in length. The leaves are light, glossy green and have a whitish bloom on the under side; they clasp the stem with their bases. The per- fect flowers are probably largely fertilized by the numerous small bee-like flies that are usually found about them. In the Pall, the plants are decorated with bright red berries in place of the blossoms. Birds are fond of these berries and, by scattering the seeds contained therein far and wide, often found new colonies of Twisted-stalks. The common spe- cies is found throughout northern United States and the southern half of Canada. SOLOMON'S SEAL. Polygonatum biflorum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 55 SOLOMON'S SEAL (Polygonatum biflorum) has small greenish, bell-shaped flowers about one-half -inch in length, hanging in pairs on slender peduncles from the axils of the leaves. The stem is 1 to 2 feet in height. The oblong-lanceolate leaves alternate along, and are partly seated on, the stem; deep green above and glaucus or whitish below. Very common in woods from N. B. to Ont. and southwards, flower- ing from April to June. GREAT SOLOMON'S SEAL (P. commutatum) is much larger, the flowers often measuring an inch in length, and from two to eight in each cluster from the axils of the leaves. The stem is stout and from 2 to 6 feet long. Found from western N. E. to Minn, and southwards. These plants receive their names from the thick, fleshy and knotted rootstalks. They are perennials and each year throw up new stalks; after flowering these wither away and leave pronounced scars on the roots. These scars suggested the name of Solomon's Seal and the number of them will prob- ably accurately denote the ages of the plants. Both the large and the small species grow in the same lo- calities. They can readily be distinguished by com- parison, for commutatum is always larger in all its parts; while it may be but a foot and a half tall it will be stouter and have comparatively larger flowers than its relative. Often it assumes truly gigantic size and may tower above a tall man's head. Viewed from above the pendant blossoms are very inconspicuous, but if we look beneath the spreading leaves a row of flowers will be seen drooping from the axils of most of the leaves, in pairs on the spe- cies biflorum, but usually more on the larger species. Again the large variety is always smooth in all its parts while biflorum is usually downy or hairy. In the Pall the flowers are replaced by pairs of round bluish black berries. A. GREEN BRIEH. Smilax rotundifolia. B. LILY-OF-THE- VALLEY. Convallaria majalis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 57 LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY (Convallaria majalis.) As a garden flower, this species is probably familiar to nearly everyone. While, as a native, it is only found in some of the southeastern mountain ranges, it is sometimes found in the North as an escape from cul- tivation. The flower we usually see in florists or in gardens is the European species but it appears to be identical with our native southern one. It is a deli- cately beautiful species, very rich in fragrance and very hardy; its popularity is shown by the frequency with which it appears in both poetry and prose. The bell-shaped, white flowers, with six short, re-curved lobes, grow in a one-sided raceme at the top of a scape, the base of which is sheathed by the two large, broad, oblong-pointed, parallel-veined leaves. It flow- ers in May and June in mountains from Va. to S. C. COMMON GREEN BRIER (Smilax rotundifolia) is a woody climbing vine with scattered sharp prickles; it -climbs by means of pairs of tendrils from the axils of the leaves. Leaves alternating along the stem; round-ovate, sharply pointed at the tip and somewhat heart-shaped at the base. Flowers, few on slender peduncles from the angles of the leaves; perianth bell-shaped, with six short, spreading lobes, pale greenish in color. Common in moist thickets from N. S. to Minn, and southwards, flowering in May and June. CARRION FLOWER (Smilax herbacea) has a her- baceous stem without prickles. The flowers are small, light green, carrion-scented, in a many flower- ed umbel on a long petiole from the angle of a leaf. Leaves heart-shaped and parallel-nerved. Found in the same range and flowers at the same time as the last. The genus smilax consists of many widely dis- tributed species, usually having blue-black berries in the Fall. INDIAN CUCUMBER-ROOT. Medeola virginiana. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 59 INDIAN CUCUMBER-ROOT (Medeola virginiana) is a common woodland plant, but the flowers are so inconspicuous that they are often overlooked; in fact they are often nodding below the upper leaves so as to be invisible. The stem is tall and slender, rang- ing from 1 to 3 feet in height; it rises from a thick horizontal rootstalk, having a taste similar to that of the cucumber. A whorl of from five to nine ovate- lanceolate, pointed leaves is located midway on the stem; at the top, three smaller but similarly shaped leaves radiate. Above these, or it may be below, be- cause of the curving pedicels, are three flowers. They are pale greenish-yellow; the three sepals and three petals composing the perianth are very much reflexed or curled; they have six stamens each, and one style dividing into three purplish-brown, recurved stigmas. It is said that the Indians formerly used the roots for food; at the present time they are used for var- ious medicinal preparations, Cucumber-root is found from N. B. to Manitoba and southwards to the Gulf, flowering in rich woods during May and June. COLIC-ROOT; STAR GRASS (Aletris farinosa) is a tall, wand-like plant, striking in appearance even though not beautiful in flower. The scape is from 2 to 3 feet high, terminated with a small spike-like raceme of white, tubular flowers. The perianth is 6- lobed, very granular and roughened on the outside by thickly set points. It is this granular appearance, as though the flower had been sprinkled with white meal, that gives it its generic name, meaning ''a fe- male slave who grinds corn". The leaves are thin, flat and lanceolate, radiating from the rootstalk at the base of the flower scape. It is commonly found from Me. to Minn, and southwards, flowering in July and August. PURPLE TRILLIUM; WAKE ROBIN. Trillium erectum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 6l Genus (Trillium). Trilliums derive their generic name from the fact that all their parts are arranged in threes; three leaves, three petals, three sepals and a three-part- ed stigma. The common name of Wake Robin was probably early given because these flowers appear at an early date. As a matter of fact they do not bloom until weeks after the Robins have returned to the Northern States. All the purple trilliums have an un- pleasant odor resembling that of putrid meat; as they are largely dependent for fertilization upon certain carrion flies, it is very probable that their peculiar color is for the purpose of an added lure for these insects. The Sessile Flowered Trillium has the parts of the stigma so recurved that they are very close to the anthers and it is very probable that self-ferti- lization takes place. After the flowering season an oval reddish berry is seen rising from, or seated among, the three green leaves. PURPLE TRILLIUM; BIRTHROOT; ILL-SCENT- ED WAKE ROBIN (Trillium erectum) has three pur- plish-brown petals (sometimes these are pink or even white in color) and three sepals; six stamens exceed- ing in length the stout spreading stigma. Flower sol- itary, raising on a short pedicel above the whorl of broad, ovate, pointed and short petioled leaves. This trillium ranges in height from 6 to 15 inches. It flow- ers in April and May, in rich woods from Quebec to Ont. and southwards STEMLESS PURPLE TRILLIUM (Trillium ses- sile) is very similar, but the flower is seated directly among the leaves with no stem, and the petals do not spread as much. It is found from Pa. to Minn, and southwards. Trillium vlride has both the leaves and flowers ses- sile. The petals of this species are greenish and nar- row. Found from Kas. and Mo. southwards. A. LARGE-FLOWERED TRILLIUM. Trillium grandiflorum. B. NODDING TRILLUM. Trillium cernuum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 63 LARGE-FLOWERED TRILLIUM (Trillium grandi- florum) is the largest of the genus in all respects and is one of the best known and most common species. It can be looked for with expectation of finding in any damp, rich woods during May or June. Should a brook run through the woods, you will be almost sure of finding this or some other trillium growing at some point along the banks. ( Usually they grow in colonies and it is an exception when one finds a single plant without others being in sight. The stem of this spe- cies is from 10 to 18 inches in height; the waxy white petals are from l1/^ to 2 in. in length; as they grow older the color changes to a delicate pink and they curve gracefully backwards. The flower is on a short pedicel above the whorl of broad,ovate-pointed and shortly petioled leaves; the latter are light green with three prominent, parallel ribs. This species is found from Vt. to Minn, and southwards, to N. C. and Mo. NODDING TRILLIUM (T. Cernuum) is quite simi- lar to, but smaller than the last species. Its blos- som is either white or pink and is on a curved pedicel that often bends so as to place the flower beneath the whorl of leaves; the edges of the petals are quite wavy. This demure, bashful little trillium is found from Newfoundland and Man. South to Pa. and Mich. Trillium declinatum is similar to the Nodding Tril- lium but the flowers are on a longer horizontal pedi- cel. It is found from Mich, and Minn, south to Mo. DWARF WHITE or SNOW TRILLIUM, (T. nivale) is a diminutive species with white flowers, standing only 2 to 5 in. high. The bell-shaped flower is erect; both the petals and the leaves have rounded ends. Pa. to Minn, and south to Tenn. and Mo. A. STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM. Ornithogalum umbellatum. B. ATAMASCO LILY. Zephyranthes Atamasco. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 67 STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM (Ornithogalum umbellu- tum) (EUROPEAN). This dainty plant is sometimes met with near some farm house, from the garden of which it may have escaped years before. It is quite hardy and will increase rapidly if allowed a fair chance. It receives its name from the star-like appearance of the white flowers as they peer up through the meadow grass. The original home of this flower is in Italy. The scape, rising from a coated bulb, is from 6 to 12 in. high; at the top is a Iqose, terminal cluster of from four to eight blossoms. The perianth is divided into six waxy-white sepals, rather greenish on the out- side, and with three to seven green nerves; six stamens and a three-sided stigma; flower pedicels slender and bracted at their junction with the scape. The leaves are long, linear and channeled. It may be found as an escape, from Me. to Va. AMARYLLIS FAMILY (Amaryllidaceae). A family of bulbous and scape-bearing herbs with flat, grass-like leaves and regular six-parted flowers. ATAMASCO LILY (Zephyranthes Atamasco) is an exceedingly beautiful species with pure, waxy-white flowers, only one to a plant, erect at the summit of a scape from 6 to 12 in. high. Perianth funnel-form, with six spreading lobes, a short pistil and six sta- mens with large yellow anthers. Leaves long, linear and channeled. Quite common in moist places or swamps, from Del. to Fla., flowering from April to July. HYMENOCALLIS (Hymenocallis occidentalls) has large showy, fragrant, white flowers in an umbel-like head; perianth broad, funnel-form with a two-notched edge; 3 or 4 in. in length. Leaves long and strap- shaped. In marshy places from Mo. and 111. southeast to Ga. and Ala. A. STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM. Ornithogalum umbellatum. B. ATAMASCO LILY. Zephyranthes Atamasco. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 67 STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM (Ornithogalum umbellu- tum) (EUROPEAN). This dainty plant is sometimes met with near some farm house, from the garden of which it may have escaped years before. It is quite hardy and will increase rapidly if allowed a fair chance. It receives its name from the star-like appearance of the white flowers as they peer up through the meadow grass. The original home of this flower is in Italy. The scape, rising from a coated bulb, is from 6 to 12 in. high; at the top is a loose, terminal cluster of from four to eight blossoms. The perianth is divided into six waxy-white sepals, rather greenish on the out- side, and with three to seven green nerves; six stamens and a three-sided stigma; flower pedicels slender and bracted at their junction with the scape. The leaves are long, linear and channeled. It may be found as an escape, from Me. to Va. AMARYLLIS FAMILY (Amaryllidaceae). A family of bulbous and scape-bearing herbs with flat, grass-like leaves and regular six-parted flowers. ATAMASCO LILY (Zephyranthes Atamasco) is an exceedingly beautiful species with pure, waxy-white flowers, only one to a plant, erect at the summit of a scape from 6 to 12 in. high. Perianth funnel-form, with six spreading lobes, a short pistil and six sta- mens with large yellow anthers. Leaves long, linear and channeled. Quite common in moist places or swamps, from Del. to Fla., flowering from April to July. HYMENOCALLIS (Hymenocallis occidental^) has large showy, fragrant, white flowers in an umbel-like head; perianth broad, funnel-form with a two-notched edge; 3 or 4 in. in length. Leaves long and strap- shaped. In marshy places from Mo. and 111. southeast to Ga. and Ala. YELLOW STAR GRASS. Hypoxis hirsuta. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 69 YELLOW STAR GRASS (Hypoxis hirsuta) is the most widely distributed of any of the members of the Amaryllis family. It is very appropriately named. Prom April until July and more sparingly until Sep- tember we may see these bright shining golden stars peering at us from a background of green grass. So closely do the leaves of this little plant correspond to the grass leaves, among which they grow, that sharp scrutiny is required to distinguish them. Usually fields or open woods are chosen for their habitat, dry places in which we may also find quanti- ties of Bluets or Innocence and common Cinquefoil. Although there are from four to eight buds to be found near the summit of the slender scape, but one, or at most two, of these open at a time. As they re- main open for several days, a single plant may re- main in bloom for two or three weeks. The blossoms are visited by several of the smaller bees for pollen; some of this is often unwittingly carried to the sticky stigma of the next flower visited and cross- fertilization effected. The flowers, in withering, close up so that should a blossom not have been al- ready fertilized, its own anthers will come in contact with its stigma. The flowers are in a loose umbel at the top of a scape from 3 to 8 in. in height; perianth wide spread and divided into six shining, golden-yellow sepals, paler and slightly greenish on the outside; the six stamens tipped with large golden-orange anthers. The slender, narrow, grass-like leaves come from a small bulb together with the flower scape. This species is common from Me. to Manitoba and southwards to the Gulf of Mexico. Cooperia Drummondii has a solitary white flower with six wide spread divisions and a long slender tube, from 2 to 4 in. long. Leaves grass-like. Found on prairies from Kans. to Texas. ._. BLUE FLAG; IRIS. Iris versicolor. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 71 IRIS FAMILY (Iridaceae). This family is composed of perennial herbs grow- ing in moist places and having long linear or sword- shaped leaves and large showy flowers. Iris is nam- ed from the Greek, meaning rainbow and it certain- ly is no misnomer as applied to the Blue Flag or Iris which is the most common of the genus. Small in- deed is the pond-hole that somewhere around its edge does not have a little colony of the beautiful "Fleur-de-lis". The perpetuation of this species in healthy condition is insured because of the formation of the flower, which is such that self-pollenization is practically impossible. The stamens are directly un- der the strap-like divisions of the style and the stig- ma is on the upper surface at the rolled-up tip. Bees are the most frequent visitors and the most valu- able ones for the plants. LARGER BLUE FLAG; BLUE IRIS; FLEUR-DE- LIS (Iris versicolor). Flower solitary, from a green spathe at the end of a long peduncle; sepals, neither bearded nor crested, but broad, violet and handsome- ly veined; petals erect, flat and spatulate. Leaves sword-shaped, glaucus-green, folded into a flat cluster at the base. Very common from Newfoundland to Manitoba and southwards, flowering from May to July. SLENDER BLUE FLAG (Iris prismatica) is more slender in all its parts; narrow leaves, slender stem and very slender pedicels. Found in marshes near the coast from N. B. to Ga. BLACKBERRY LILY (Belamcanda chinensis) CHI- NESE) has Jhe sepals and petals of equal size and colored alike; a golden-orange, thickly speckled with brownish purple. Stem branching and with a loose cluster of six to twelve buds or blossoms. Fruit black- berry-like, studded with black seeds. An escape from gardens. A. BLUE-EYED GRASS. Sisyrinchium an gusti folium. B. CRESTED DWARF IRIS. Iris cristata. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 73 CRESTED DWARF IRIS (Iris cristata). Flowers usually solitary, very delicate in form and of a light violet color; the sepals have a central crested rib of a bright orange color; the smaller petals are also crested. The tube is long and thread-like. Leaves lanceolate, about 5 to 7 in. long; those forming the spathe are ovate-lanceolate. This attractive little Iris is found on rich wooded hillsides and along streams, from Md. and Ind. southwards, flowering 4n April and May. DWARF IRIS (I. Verna) has linear, grass-like leaves covered with a whitish bloom. Sepals not crested but rather downy on their yellowish base; color pale vio- let or even white. Found on rich wooded hillsides from Pa. southwards. NORTHERN NEMASTYLIS (Nemastylis acuta) has a branching stem, at the end of which are one or two flowers growing on slender pedicels from a grass- like spathe. The six parts of the blue or purple perianth spread from 1 to 2 inches. It has long, lin- ear leaves coming from the coated bulb. Found on prairies and barrens from Ky. to Mo., southward. BLUE-EYED GRASS (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), as one would suspect from the name, has grass-like leaves and flowers that make one think of bright lit- tle blue eyes as they peep out of the meadow grass in which you find them. The Blue-eyed Grasses have recently been separ- ated into thirteen species, differing chiefly in the com- parative lengths of the flower spathes, or the lengths of the leaves as compared to the flower stem. If one wishes to know the exact specific name of the spe- cies he finds, we refer him to the new edition of Gray's Botany (7th Ed.) The six divisions of the flower are regular, violet, with ,a yellow or white star- shaped center; each sepal is blunt, with a thorn-like tip. Common from N. B. to B. C. and southwards. YELLOW LADY'S SLIPPER. Cypripedium parviflorum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 75 ORCHIS FAMILY (Orchidaceae). This is a large family composed of herbaceous per- ennials with tuberoid roots or corms. The perianth is composed of six divisions, the three outer being sepals (two of which are often united) and the three inner ones petals, the lower one of which, termed the lip, differs in form from the others. YELLOW LADY'S SLIPPER (Cypripedium parvi- florum) has usually one, but sometimes three flow- ers at the summit of a leafy stem 7 to 20 in. high. The inflated lip is bright yellow, slipper-shaped and with a rounded open orifice near the base. The two later- al petals are brownish; exceedingly twisted. The broad, bright green leaves are very prominently rib- bed lengthwise, pointed and alternately sheathing the stem. This is one of the northerly species, being found along the northern border of the United States and southern Canada. It grows in colonies and flow- ers from May to July, in rich woods or bogs. LARGE YELLOW LADY'S SLIPPER (C. p, pube- scens) is a form of the last, averaging larger in all its parts. It is found in the same range. RAM'S HEAD LADY'S SLIPPER (Cypripedium arietinum) is not as handsome as the other members of this genus, but it is the most rare of the Lady's Slippers and, on that account, is very highly prized. The three sepals are separate, the upper one being ovate and pointed, while the lateral ones are lanceo- late, brownish-purple and very similar to the lateral petals; the swollen lip is small, little more than half an inch in length; white, with crimson veinings. The three or four leaves are elliptical and nearly smooth. The stem is from 6 to 12 inches in height. This spe- cies is very locally distributed in swamps from Me. to Manitoba, southwards to Mass, and N. Y. SHOWY LADY'S SLIPPER. Cypripedmm hirsutum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 77 SHOWY LADY'S SLIPPER (Cypripedium hir- sutum) is a magnificent orchid, usually regarded as the most beautiful of the genus. It is of imposing di- mensions and has large fragrant flowers. The leaves are very large, closely crowded along the stem and very deeply ribbed, giving the plant, disregarding the flower, an appearance very much like the beautiful foliage of the common False Hellebore. While this species is not rare, it is quite locally distributed and it is always with a feeling of exultation that we dis- cover a new colony. The inflated flower lip is large and balloon-like, about 2 in. in length; white, with crimson-magenta blotches and streaks on the front edge; the sepals are round-ovate and the petals oblong, both pointed and both greenish-white in color. The leafy stem, that bears at its summit the solitary blossom, is from 1 to 2 feet in height. Found locally from Newfound- land to Minn, and southwards to Ga. and Mo. flower- ing in rich woods during June and July. Cypripedium passerinum is a smaller species with a pale magenta. lip, spotted with deep magenta at the base within; the upper sepal is yellowish and nearly round. The stem is covered with soft hairs; it is about eight inches in height. The elliptic-lanceolate leaves are sharply pointed. This species may be found in rich woods from Mich, and Ontario, west- wards. SMALL WHITE LADY'S SLIPPER (Cypripedium candidum). The flower of this species is of the same size and shape as that of the Yellow variety, but the lip is pure white outside and striped with purple in- side at the base; the two lateral sepals and the two petals are ovate-lanceolate, greenish, spotted with brown. It is a single flowered species with numerous leaves. It is found in swamps from N. Y. and Minn, southwards. MOCCASIN FLOWER. Cypripedium acaule. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 79 PINK LADY'S SLIPPER; MOCCASIN FLOWER (Cypripedium acaule) has solitary flowers surmount- ing a scape from 8 to 12 in. high; lip large, drooping, pink, with a slit in front, instead of a circular open- ing as in the others. It frequents dry woods and may be found from southern Canada, southwards. This is the most common of the Lady's Slippers and too in my mind is not less beautiful than any of the others. I rather think that if it were as rare as the Ram's Head, it w^ould be regarded and prized as one of the most beautiful and exquisite flowers that we have. Among all our plant families none are so exclusively adapted to fertilization by insects as those comprising the orchids. The flower of the pre- sent species is a very ingenious contrivance; it is fertilized by the common bumblebee. He knows there is plenty of food in the interior of the pink sac. The only chance for entrance is through the fissure in the front; it requires considerable pressure to force his burly frame through, but at length he suc- ceeds and the aperture closes behind him. After eating his fill he takes the easiest way out, towards the base where he can see two spots of light. As he forces his way through the narrow passage he comes in contact with a sticky stigma, armed with in-curv- ing hairs which remove any pollen he may have on his back; as tie continues his struggle out he reaches an anther blocking the passage and waiting to clap its load of pollen on his back. Thus when he emerges he is fully charged with pollen to deposit on the stigma of the next flower visited. If you notice you will see that bees continue feeding on the same species of flowers and will pass by those of other species. This habit is Nature's protection against leaving the pollen of one plant at the door of another entirely different species, where it would do no good. A. GREEN WOOD ORCHIS. Habenaria tridentata. B. GREEN FRINGED ORCHIS. Habenaria virescens. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 81 GREEN WOOD ORCHIS (Habenaria clavellata) has from three to sixteen inconspicious greenish flowers in a loose spike at the top of a stem from 6 to 18 in. high; lip oblong and with three teeth; spur long, slender and curved upwards and to one side. One or two oblong-lanceolate leaves with ob- tuse tips, clasp the stem near the base while several small bracts alternate along it. Grows in bogs from Newfoundland to Minn, and southwards. GREEN-FRINGED ORCHIS (Habenaria flava) is a common green orchis (formerly virescens). The lower leaves are oblong-lanceolate, while the upper ones are linear, diminishing in size and passing into the flower bracts. The flower lip "is square-ended and toothed; spur slender and about the length of the flower. In the whole U. S. and southern Canada, we may find this species growing in bogs or wet places. Habenaria bracteata is similar to flava, but the flower bracts are large, being from two to four times the length of the flowers; the spur is about half the length of the flower. The upper leaves are lanceo- late and pointed; the lower ones are broader. The stem ranges in height from 6 to 20 inches. This species is also found in bogs, from N. S. to Alaska and south through the U. S.. Habenaria integra is similar in size and shape to clavellata but the flowers are a bright orange-yellow in color; the lip is ovate, rough on the edge; the spur is short, tiny and descending. It grows in wet pine barrens from N. J. and Tenn. south to Fla. and Tex., flowering in June. Habenaria nivea is a southern species found along the coast from Del. to Fla. It is more slender than the preceding species. The leaves are narrow, and the numerous flowers are white, with narrow lips and petals; spur short, slender and ascending. 6 A. YELLOW FRINGED ORCHIS Habenaria ciliaris. B. HOOKER'S ORCHIS. Habenaria Hookeri. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies S3 YELLOW-FRINGED ORCHIS (Habenaria ciliaris) is an attractive and rather common Orchis with a tall leafy stem from 12 to 24 in. high. It is always with a thrill of exultation that we, each year, first spy the golden yellow spikes in the deep recesses of a cold bog or swamp. The open blossoms have ex- quisitely fringed lips, while the buds on the upper part of the flower spike resemble little golden balls. The spike is very closely set with flowers having rounded petals, fringed lips and slender spurs about an inch in length. The leaves are lanceolate, grad- ualy diminishing in size as they approach the spike and passing into the flower bracts. Pound from Me. to Mich, and southwards. YELLOW CRESTED ORCHIS (H. cristata) has orange-yellow flowers in a bracted raceme, the bracts being of about the same length as the flowers. The lip is ovate, copiously fringed; petals oblong, fringed at the top; spur short, not more than half an inch in length. Leaves narrowly lanceolate and growing smaller as they approach the flower spike. This Orchis flowers during July and August in peaty bogs, from N. J. to Mo. and southwards. HOOKER'S ORCHIS (H. Hookeri) has a leafless scape from 6 to 12 in. high, at the base of which are two, broad, oval, shining, deep green leaves. The ten to twenty flowers. are yellowish green; lip lan- ceolate and sharply pointed, less than half an inch long; slender spur about one inch long. Flowers during June and July in woods from Me. to M'nn. and south to N. C. ROUND-LEAVED ORCHIS (H. orbiculata) is similar to Hookeri; the lip is oblong, obtuse and about the same length as the spur. The two basal leaves are almost round. It is common in rich woods from Labrador to Alaska and southwards. A. RAGGED FRINGED ORCHIS. Habenaria lacera. B. WHITE FRINGED ORCHIS. Habenaria blephariglottis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 85 RAGGED FRINGED ORCHIS (Habenaria lacera) does not attract our attention because of its beauty, for its flowers are rather inconspicuous in color. They are, however, remarkable for the peculiarly cut and slashed lip, it being divided apparently with no regard for method or symmetry. The greenish-white flowers are in a dense, many-flowered raceme at the summit of a leafy stem from 10 to 20 inches high. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, diminishing in size to the flower bracts as they reach the raceme. This species is not uncommon in swamps from Newfound- land to Minn, and southwards. WHITE FRINGED ORCHIS (H. blephariglottis) has a densely flowered raceme or spike similar to that of the Yellow Fringed species, but the flowers are pure white; the lip is not divided but is copiously fringed; lateral sepals rounded, upper ones elliptical and concave; spur nearly an inch long. Leaves lance- olate and gradually diminishing in size as they alter- nate to the top of the stem. In July and August you may find this species flowering, throughout the United States. Habenaria leucophaea is also a white fringed Orchis. It is large, the stem varying from 1 to 3 feet in height. The flowers are also large, the spur averag- ing 1 1-2 inches in length; the lip is in three divis- ions, each of which is conspicuously fringed; the lateral and upper sepals are nearly round and quite strongly concaved. The lanceolate leaves are large at the bottom of the stem, but are reduced in size to the flower bracts as they reach the spike. This will be found in wet meadows and swamps from N. S. to Minn, and southwards, chiefly west of the Alle- ghanies, to the Gulf of Mexico, flowering in June and July. B. A. PURPLE FRINGED ORCHIS. Habenaria fimbriata. B. SMALL PURPLE FRINGED ORCHIS. Habenaria peramoena. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 87 SMALL PURPLE FRINGED ORCHIS (Habenaria psycodes) has pale purplish flowers in a dense cylin- drical spike terminating a leafy stem, about 1 or 1 1-2 feet tall. The spreading flower-tip is 3-parted and fringed; sepals rounded, petals spatulate and slight- ly toothed. The leaves are lanceolate and, like those of the fringed orchids, grow smaller as they ap- proach the top of the stem. Flowers in July and August in wet meadows or swamps, from Newfound- land to Manitoba and southwards. LARGE PURPLE FRINGED ORCHIS (H. fim- briata) is the largest and perhaps the most beautiful of the genus. The pale purple flowers are nearly twice as large as those of the last species; the lip is more deeply fringed. The densely flowered spike is about two inches in diameter and often is twelve inches long. The leafy stem attains heights of from 1 to 5 feet. It is a magnificent plant, the sight of which is well worth the inconveniences necessary to visit its haunts. It grows in swamps throughout the U. S. and southern Canada. All the orchids of this genus are cross-fertilized through the agency of insects. The long slender spur, of most of them, is peculiarly adapted to the tongues of sphinx moths and some of the butterflies. In trying to reach the extreme end of the nectar tube, the moth presses its face into the opening. Its large eyes come in contact with a sticky button to which two pollen masses are attached by slender stalks. When the head is withdrawn these are firmly at- tached to the eyes. When he reaches the next flower, these masses are in the correct position to be deposit- ed on a sticky stigma, just where they belong. While we might think a moth would be greatly inconvenienc- ed by these incumbrances, we must remember that his eyes are composed of numerous small ones so that the loss of sight of a few is unnoticed. A. GRASS PINK; CALOPOGON. Calopogon pulchellus. B. ARETHUSA. Arethusa bulbosa. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 89 CALOPOGON; GRASS PINK (Calopogon pulchel- lus) is an exquisite orchid with a loose raceme of four to twelve delicate pink flowers, at the top of a scape ranging from 6 to 15 in. long. The flowers are apparently upside down as the lip is at the top; it is narrow at the base but broadens into a broad hook- ed tip, crested on the under side; the column, just below the lip, has a stigma at the end, and just below is a two celled antler, each cell containing two pollen masses. A single grasslike leaf sheathes the flower scape near its base, as it rises from the solid bulb. It grows in deep swamps and bogs, from New- foundland to Minn, and south to the Gulf, flowering in June and July. ARETHUSA; INDIAN PINK (Arethusa bulbosa) has a solitary magenta-pink blossom topping its slend- er scape that rises from 5 to 10 in. in height. The petals and sepals are similar in shape and in their proper positions at the top of the flower; the lip rises, then abruptly turns downwards, broadens and is adorned with three to five yellow and white crests; margin of lip wavy and sometimes spotted with crim- son. A single linear leaf is hidden in a sheath at the base of the scape; it only protrudes after the flowering season. From Newfoundland to Minn, and south to Pa. and Mo., Arethusa has been found bloom- ing in swamps during May and June. CALYPSO (Calypso bulbosa) is a rare and local- ly distributed orchid found along the northern edge of the U. S. and in Canada. It has a single magenta- pink flower at the top of a slender scape 4 to 8 in. long. The sepals and petals are similar and ascend- ing; the lip is sac-shaped similar to that of the genus Cypripedium; it is spotted with madder-purple and has three rows of glass-like hairs near its division. A single oval, wavy, veiny leaf grows on a triangular petiole from the corm at the base of the scape. A. SNAKE MOUTH/ POGONIA. Pogonia ophioglossoides. B. NODDING POGONIA. Pogonia trianthophora. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 91 POGONIA; SNAKE-MOUTH (Pogonia ophioglos- soides) is another of our attractive orchids that leads the enthusiast a merry chase, often through miles of tangled swamp, before he finally discovers it in some almost impenetrable bog. It has been my experience that, in the southern parts of their ranges, all the rare orchids are more easily get-at-able than in north- ern United States, perhaps because in the North they are hunted so persistently and plucked so freely when found, that they can survive only in the most out of the way places. Snake-mouth is delicate, pure pink in color and slightly fragrant. Its pollen is not in stemmed masses but is showered on the back of a visiting in- sect as he backs out of the flower. The stem is from . 8 to 13 inches high, bearing at its top a single flower; sepals and petals are similar in shape; the lip is spat- ulate, prominently crested with yellow and white, and toothed and lacerated. About midway of the flower stem is a single oval leaf and just below the flower is a smaller bract-like one. Pogonia grows in swamps from Newfoundland to Minn, and southwards to the Gulf of Mexico, flowering during June and July. NODDING POGONIA (P. trianthophora) has a leafy stem from 2 to 8 inches high. From two to eight small oval leaves alternately clasp the stem; the flowers, which number from one to six, appear singly from the axils of the upper leaves, nodding on slender peduncles; they are small, magenta-pink and with ovate,' three-lobed lips. It is locally distributed from Me. to Wise, and southwards. Pogonia divaricata is a southern species foun£ in pine barrens from N. J. to Ga. The plant stem, clasp- ed by a single oblong leaf at its middle, is 8 to 20 in. high and bears a single large flower with ascending brown sepals, pink petals and a 3-lobed lip. A. WHORLED POGONIA. Pogonia verticillata. B. SHOWY ORCHIS. Orchis spectabilis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 93 WHORLED POGONIA (Pogonia verticillata) has a single flower on a long stem, 8 to 12 in. high; the sepals are greenish-yellow, long, linear, with the edges rolled or folded together; the petals are ob- long-lanceolate and purple; the lip is also purple, wedged-shaped, three-lobed and with a hairy crest down the middle. Five lanceolate and stemless leaves are in a whorl about the stem just below the flower. It is a peculiar, inconspicuous plant found locally in moist woods from Me. to Wise, and south- wards. SHOWY ORCHIS (Orchis spectabilis) is a charm- ing early blooming orchid found in flower from April to June in moist woods, often under hemlock trees. Two broad, ovate, deeply ribbed, beautiful green leaves sheath the flower scape at its base. The four to twelve flowers are loosely racemed at the top of the scape which is from 5 to 10 in. high. The magen- ta-pink petals and sepals are united to form a hood; the lip, curving abruptly downwards, is broadly ovate and white; each flower has a short spur and is bracted. The Showy Orchis is our only true native Orchid. It secretes plenty of nectar in the flower spurs and, consequently, is visited by many insects, most valu- able of which are bees. As she presses her head firmly in the mouth of the flower to drain the bottom of the tube, her face ruptures the thin membrane of a pouch containing two sticky buttons carrying pollen masses. These become firmly attached to her eyes; the slender stalks holding the pollen bend forward bringing it directly in front of her head, and it is deposited on the awaiting stigma of the next flower visited; surely a wonderful way for Nature to insure cross pollenization. This species is found throughout the U. S. Another with a single leaf and with the flower lip spotted with magenta is local farther north. A. RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN. Epipactis ophioides. B. LADIES TRESSES. Spiranthes cernua. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 95 RATTLESNAKE PLANTAIN (Epipactis pubescens) is a common representative of a genus having the most beautiful of leaves, all basal and radiating from the fleshy, creeping rootstalk. The leaves are ovate, pointed, dark bluish-green, with five to seven promi- nent white nerves and many reticulations between them. The scape is 6 to 15 in. high and carries at its top a densely flowered raceme of small white flow- ers; lip small and sac-shaped, sepals and petals unit- ed to form a hood. This Plantain is quite common and often grows in large beds in dry woods, especially coniferous ones. Because of its beauty and the fact that its leaves last through the winter, it is in demand and freely used for ferneries. It is found in the whole of the U. S., flowering in July and August. E. repens ophioides has its flowers in a loose 1-sided raceme. The leaves have five white veins and num- erous dark cross ones. Has a more northern distri- bution than the last species. E. decipiens has densely flowered 1-sided racemes and plain or faintly marked leaves. It is found from Quebec to the Pacific and southwards. LADIES TRESSES (Spiranthes cernua) is so named because of the braided arrangement of its flowers. The leaves are few, grass-like, sheathing the scape near its base. The scape is 6 to 15 in. high, has sev- eral small bracts and ends in a 2 or 3-ranked spiral raceme of white or creamy flowers; petals and upper sepal joined, lateral sepals lanceolate; lip ovate-ob- long with a rough tip. Common in moist fields or woods from Me. to Minn, and southwards. SLENDER LADIES TRESSES (S. gracilis) is slender, has its flowers in a single-ranked 1-sided or slightly twisted raceme; lip green, with a white wrin- kled margin. Leaves small, ovate basal. Found in dry ground from N. S. to Manitoba and southwards. A. HEART-LEAVED TWAYBLADE. Listera cordata. B. LARGE TWAYBLADE. Liparis lilii folia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 97 HEART-LEAVED TWAYBLADE (Listera cordata) belongs to a genus containing five species. They may readily be recognized by the two heart-shaped or ovate leaves clasping the flower stem, oppositely, about half way up. The flowers are either madder- purple as in the present species, or greenish. Like most of the Orchids, they are largely or whol- ly dependent upon insect aid for fertilization. The weight, or shock, of an alighting insect on the broad lip causes a small gland within the flower to rupture and cover the pollen, just below with a sticky fluid that causes it to adhere to the head or body of the in- sect and thus be transferred to the next flower. The stem of this species is from 3 to 10 in. high. At the top is a few flowered raceme; the sepals and petals are similar and spreading; the lip is drooping, longer, two-cleft and madder-purple in color. This species flowers during June and July in swampy woods from N. J. to Colo, and northwards to the Arctic coast. TWAYBLADE (Liparis lilifolia), although having the same common name, is of a different genus. It is a more attractive plant, having two broad basal leaves and larger flowers with a broad ovate lip. It grows in woodland from Me. to Minn, and southwards. CORAL ROOT (Corallorrhiza maculata) is so nam- ed because of its angular, branching, brownish, coral- like root. The scape is from 10 to 18 in. high; its only leaf appears as a sheath near. the base. The flowers are madder-purple, in a loose raceme; the sepals and petals are small, similar and ascending; the lip and column are white, spotted with purple, the former being two-lobed. There are five species of Coral Root, all destitute of green foliage, and differ- ing only slightly in the flowers. They are found in spruce woods from Me. to British Columbia and southwards. 7 WILD GINGER. Asarum canadense. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 99 BIRTHWORT FAMILY (Aristolochiaceae). A small family of low herbs or twining vines, with but two genera and few species. WILD GINGER (Asarum canadense) may be found flowering in rich woods during April and May, from Me. to Mich, and southwards. It has two, large, heart-shaped leaves on long petioles from the base; deep green above and lighter below, soft, wooly and handsomely veined. The leaves are very beautiful, but it is the solitary flower that makes this plant so interesting. Small, dully colored, on a weak, short stem that barely raises it above ground and often leaves it concealed by the dead leaves that carpet the woods in early Spring. Really, the flower is quite attractive. Why should it not raise its head that it might be noticed by everybody? A careful watch will convince the ob- server that all flowers are so constructed and so placed that they serve the best interests of the plant. So it is with this species. It blooms early, before butterflies and moths appear; it needs no bright col- ors to attract insect friends, as the urn-shaped flower cup makes an excellent refuge for many small, early flies. It also provides these flies with an abundance of pollen for food; in return, they unwittingly carry some away with them on their bodies and leave it at the door, or stigma, of another blossom. The stigma of this flower matures before its anthers ripen so only pollen from another, earlier blossom will serve to quicken the seed. The flower is bell-shaped, with three short, sharply- pointed, .spreading lobes; six stamens with short an- thers and a thick style with six radiating stigmas. Another species (grandiflorum), found in Va. and N. C. has but one leaf and flowers twice as large, or two inches in length. PIPE VINE; DUTCHMAN'S PIPE. Aristolochia macrophylla. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 101 VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT (Aristolichia serpentaria) is a low herbaceous vine with a woolystem from 8 to 20 in. long, with several pointed-oblong leaves with heart-shaped bases alternating along it. The dull greenish-yellow flowers are on short peduncles from the root; the calyx tube is bent in the form of a let- ter S, with three obtuse, spreading lobes. It flowers in June and July in rich woods from Conn, and Mich, to the Gulf of Mexico. PIPE VINE; DUTCHMAN'S PIPE (A. macrophyl- la), The Dutchman's Pipe is chiefly a southern plant or vine, being found from Pa. and Minn, southwards. It has a woody, climbing stem that may attain lengths of from 10 to 40 feet. It is often used to decorate porches and trellises. The very large, deep green, veiny leaves that alternate along the stem are very beautiful. In the dull, greenish-yellow flowers, how- ever, lies the chief interest of the botanist. Its stig- ma matures and withers away before the ripening of the pollen, thus making the plant dependent upon in- sects for its perpetuation. Besides furnishing a hiding place in its tube, H secretes at the bottom a few drops of nectar as an added attraction for its winged visitors. The throat is filled with tiny hairs, all pointing inwards, so in- gress is easy but egress impossible. Entering insects are held prisoners, living upon the nectar, until the stigma withers and pollen ripens; after this the hairs in the throat lose their rigidity and the pollen-dusted and well fed prisoners are allowed to escape. Their memories are poor or the pollen feast is well worth the imprisonment for they usually immediately hie to another blossom and force their way in, of course pollenizing the flower in so doing. It almost seems as though some of these highly specialized plants were human and had reasoning power. A. LUFF'S THCMB; Polygommm ptrricaria. B. SlUJtTWKdU Polygommm Hydropiper. Wild I< lower* Ea*t of the Rookiei 10,", BUCKWHEAT FAMILY (Polygonaceae). This f;i t;iiNH a great variety and great n>m.h<'; of Kpecft;H. It JH rllvi«: ones grow on Mttw-M plants, They are tiny, per* feet, greenish at first but later turning dark red, Oft branching spikes, The leaves are arrow-shaped, on slender petioles from the base, but smaller ones al- ternate along the plant stem that grows from 6 to 12 in. high; they are very a^rid to the ta*te and usual- ly turn reddish as the season advances, especially if in a dry locality. It is very common and a trouble- some weed everywhere, LADY'S THUMB; PERSICARIA; KNOTGRASS (Polygonum persicaria) (EUROPEAN), This is a very common weed everywhere in damp pla/;e*, peeially about farm houses. The small, flowers are in dense spikes terminating the stems that are from 1 to 3 feet high. The , pointed leaves, that alternate along the angled and sheathed stem, are rather rough and usually have a dark triangular spot in the middle, COMMON SMARTWEED; WATER PEPPER rp, hydropiper) has similar shaped tower* of a green^ii color. The leave* are lanceolate and very a/;r l/J It is very abundant in wet Dtoe«s through/^ t ottr A. CHICKWEED. Stellaria media. B. STITCHWORT. Stellaria longifolia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 105 PINK FAMILY (Caryophyllaceae). This is a very large family containing some of our most beautiful flowers. They are herbs, agreeing in having smooth-edged leaves growing oppositely and in having the plant stem usually swollen at its junc- tion with the leaves. The flowers have either four or five petals and usually twice as many stamens. COMMON CHICKWEED (Stellaria media) (EURO- PEAN). Although this is an introduced weed, so hardy and prolific is it that probably it now exceeds in numbers, any of our indigenous plants. It grows profusely about dooryards and along roadsides every- where. The flowers are small, so tiny that they are often unnoticed, even by those who take pleasure in feeding the leaves to the pet canary. The corolla con- sists of five white, very deeply cleft petals, and the calyx of the same number of larger and longer green sepals. The leaves are ovate, small, opposite, on small stems about the length of the leaves. The plant stem is either simple or branched and ranges from 2 to 10 in. in height. LONG-LEAVED STITCHWORT (S. longifolia) has larger flowers than the last, but the petals are very narrow and so deeply cleft as to appear to be ten in number instead of five. The sepals are nearly but not quite as long as the petals. The stem is weak and usually supported by surrounding grasses or vegetation. The leaves are small, linear and pointed at both ends. Common everywhere in wet places. MOUSE-EARED CHICKWEED (Cerastium arvense) has much larger and broader petals with rounded lobes, giving them something the appearance of mouse ears. Sepals short; leaves lanceolate; stem downy, 4 to ll) in. high. Common in dry or rocky places. A. CORN COCKLE. Agrostemma githago. B. RAGGED ROBIN. Lychnis Flos-cuculL Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 107 CORN COCKLE (Agrostemma githago) (EURO- PEAN). The Corn Cockle is very closely related to the Campions (genus Lychnis) ; in fact it was for- merly classed with them and is now by some authors. It is an annual with an erect and rather downy stem; it branches but slightly, each branch being terminat- td by one or two large handsome magenta flowers with an expanse of one to two inches. The calyx is densely hairy, as are also the lanceolate leaves that grow oppositely on the stem. The stem is swollen at the leaf junctions and is weakened at that point so that it breaks quite readily; this is one of the char- acteristics of most of the members of the pink fam- ily. In Europe, this is often called the Corn Flower; it represents one of the typical plants of the harvest fields. In this country we find it as an escape from gardens or in waste places near grain fields. RAGGED ROBIN (Lychnis Flos-cuculi) (EURO- PEAN). This species, which is also known as Mea- dow Lychnis, is noteworthy because of the slashed appearance of its five crimson petals. The flower calyx is deeply ribbed and is of a brownish purple color, as is also the upper part of the flower stem; both are sticky and hairy. The name is, of course, from the ragged appearance of the petals and also from their color which approaches that of the breast of the English Robin Red-breast. It is sometimes found in waste land or moist places where it has escaped from cultivation. MULLEIN PINK (L. coronaria) (EUROPEAN) is a showy plant with bright crimson petals, five in number; the calyx teeth, or sepals, are twisted. The oblong leaves are seated oppositely upon the stem. The whole plant, stem, leaves and calyx, is quite wooly. It has escaped from gardens and is now local- Ip found from Me. to N. Y. and Mich. A. BLADDER CAMPION. Silene latifolia. B. EVENING LYCHNIS. Lychnis alba. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 109 BLADDER CAMPION (Silene latifolia (EURO- PEAN.) We have several Campions, some natives and some introduced. The present species was brought to us from Europe. It has very unusual blossoms, in that the calyx is very inflated, almost globular and handsomely marked with darker green, so as to often give it a very similar appearance to that of the citron melon. The five white petals are cleft in twain for nearly their whole length. The plant branches but slightly, each branch being terminated by a loose, few-flowered cluster. The leaves are quite smooth and grow oppositely on the stem, slightly clasping it with their bases; they are ovate-lanceolate in shape and deep green in color. This species is a very hardy one. It is a perennial and plants spring up from the same root year after year, while numerous new ones are formed from the flower seeds. It is a common escape from gardens and may be found blooming from June to August along roads or in dry waste places from Quebec to Minn, and south to Va. and Mo. EVENING LYCHNIS; WHITE CAMPION (Lychnis alba) (EUROPEAN). This is another attractive species introduced from Europe. It gets its common name from the habit of opening towards evening and closing the follow- ing morning. The petals are white, deeply cleft and crowned at the base with little petal-like divisions; the calyx is inflated and often deep pink on the ribs. As usual with members of the family, the leaves are smooth edged and in pairs, oppositely on the stem that grows from one to two feet high. These are also found in waste places and along roadsides where they have escaped from gardens, from Me. to N. J. and west to Ohio. BOUNCING BET; SOAPWORT. Saponaria offlcinalis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 111 BOUNCING BET (Saponaria officinalis) (EURO- PEAN). This is probably the most hardy and the most widely distributed of our adventive members of the Pink Family. It increases very rapidly by means of underground runners as well as by seed. It is very commonly known as "Soapwort," because of the fact that the mucilaginous juice from the crushed leaves will form a lather if they are shaken in water; it is said that it was, in olden days, used for washing purposes. The plant stem is quite stout, smooth, erect and sparingly, or not at all branched. At the top is a corymbed, or flat-topped, cluster containing many flowers; petals, notched or sometimes quite deeply cleft, and with an appendage at the top of the long claws that, bent at right angles, enter the long, tub- ular, veined, greenish, 5-notched calyx. The ten sta- mens are divided into two sets of five, one longer than the other and maturing first. The flowers vary in color from a delicate, beautiful shade of pink to white, depending upon the amount of shade and the dryness of the soil in which they growr. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, united opositely on the stem by short clasping petioles. Prom July until September, Soapwort blooms pro- fusely in waste places along railroad beds and be- side dusty roads where few other flowers are able to flourish. It was one of the first of foreign flowers to be introduced into this country and has been es- tablished as a wild flower for several centuries. COW-HERB (S. Vaccaria) has a more slender and branching stem and pale red flowers in a loose cory- mb, the central flowers of which bloom before the outer ones; the petals are not crowned. It is ad- ventive from Europe and may occur anywhere. A. MAIDEN PINK. Dianthus deltoides. B. FIRE PINK; CATCHFLY. Silene virginica. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 113 MAIDEN PINK (Dianthus deltoides) (EUROPEAN) A handsome rose-colored Pink that has become nat- uralized along the Atlantic coast and is quite abun- dant i in some localities, in fields and waste places. The flowers grow singly, or in pairs, at the ends of the branching stem; the petals are broad, wedge-shap- ed and finely-toothed; the calyx is tubular, five-tooth- ed, veined and subtended at the base by two ovate bracts that are about half its length. The leaves are numerous, small, short and narrowly lanceolate. The Maiden Pink is one of the most graceful in form of the family, hardy and a favorite under cul- tivation. DEPFORD PINK (D. Armeria) (EUROPEAN) has narrower petals with longer claws; the five-toothed calyx is very long, equal to the flower tube, and downy; its two bracts are also long and linear. The pink flowers grow in small clusters at the ends of branching, downy, erect stems from 6 to 18 in. high. It is now distributed from Me. to Mich, and south to Vav being most abundant near the coast. FIRE PINK; CATCHFLY (Silene virginica) is one of our most brilliantly colored wild flowers, the petals being either deep crimson or scarlet; the five petals are oblong, 2-cleft, long-limbed and five in number. The lower leaves are thin and spatulate, the upper ones oblong-lanceolate. Both stem, leaves and calyx are rather hairy. This species is found in open woods from southern N. J., western N. Y. and Mich, southwards. WILD PINK (Silene pennsylvanica) is another beautiful native species, with bright pink flowers and a low, sticky stem, the upper leaves are small, and the numerous basal ones, lance-shaped. It is rath- er common from Me. to N. Y. and southwards. 8 A. SPRING BEAUTY. Claytonia virginica. B. PURSLANE. Portulaca oleracea. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 115 PURSLANE FAMILY (Portulacaceae). A small family of low herbs, with thick succulent leaves and perfect but unsymmetrical flowers, that is with unequal numbers of petals and sepals. SPRING BEAUTY (Claytonia virginica), although very delicate in appearance, is among our earliest flowering plants. It may be found blooming during the cold wintry month of March, during tempestuous April, as well as during the warmer May days. The beautiful flowers have a pale flush of pink, with veins of deeper pink radiating from the yellow- ish base. One would expect flowers blooming at this season to be rather hardy, but we find this species to be very frail; the flowers close almost immediately upon being plucked, and only open during bright, sunny weather. The weak stem is usually very crook- ed and is often prostrate on the ground; two linear- lanceolate leaves clasp it oppositely about half way up. The flowers are in a loose, long-peduncled clus- ter, the buds assuming a drooping position. The open- ed flowers, somewhat less than inch across, have five petals, two sepals and five golden stamens that ma- ture before the stigma. It is found in moist woods from Me. to Mich, and south to the Gulf. PURSLANE (Portulaca oleracea) (EUROPEAN). This is a very common weed, naturalized from the old world. It has a prostrate, juicy stem and thick fleshy leaves; the latter are wedge-shaped with rounded ends. The stem is very branching and spreads or radiates from the root in an attractive circular form. The flowers are tiny, solitary and yellowish, seated in the whorls of leaves that termin- ate the branches. The five petals spread only in the morning sunshine. Pound in waste places anywhere and possibly indigenous in the Southwest. A. Cow LILY; YELLOW POND LILY. Nymphaea advena. B. WATER LILY. Castalia odorata. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 117 WATER LILY FAMILY (Nymphaecae). COW LILY; YELLOW POND LILY (Nymphaea advena). This lily has the misfortune of being close- ly related to and associated with the Water Lily, one of our most beautiful, most fragrant, and most prized wild flowers. It is another case of "comparis- ons are odious," and the yellow lily suffers in conse- quence. It is, however, not unattractive and is in- teresting in its make-up. The leaves are thick, rough, ovate, slit or lobed to the stem, which is long and hol- low. The flower is raised above the surface of the water on a long hollow stem. What appear to ' be six large green arid yellow petals are in reality sepals; the real petals are numerous, stamen-like, inserted with the very numerous stamens under the golden- yellow rayed disk that forms the stigma. The Cow Lily is very common in still or stagnant water, often growing so profusely that passage in boats is almost impossible. It is found throughout the United States and southern Canada. WATER LILY; WATER NYMPH (Castalia odor- ata) needs no introduction to our readers. To my mind, it leads all other flowers in beauty, grace, pur- ity and fragrance. It is composed of four sepals, greenish on the outside and whitish within, and numerous pure, waxy-white petals; the golden-yel- low stamens, and anthers mature later than the ra- diating central stigma. The flowers open soon after sunrise and close shortly after noon; they sometimes are gigantic in size, often spreading five or six inches across. It flowers from June to Sept. in ponds or slow-moving water, everywhere; in ponds near the coast, we find a variety (roseae) that has pink or bright pink-red flowers. The rounded, lobed, long- stemmed leaves are pinkish beneath. A. WATER PLANTAIN. Ranunculus laxicaulis. B. COWSLIP; MARSH MARIGOLD. Caltha palustris. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 119 CROWFOOT FAMILY (Ranunculaceae). A very large and very diversified family of herbs, or sometimes wooly plants, divided into three tribes containing 23 genera. Practically all of them have very acrid juices, some of them very poisonous. WATER PLANTAIN (Ranunculus laxicaulis) is a rather common marsh-inhabiting buttercup, with five to seven narrow yellow petals. The stem is stout but rather weak and angled, at each joint sending out a clasping lanceolate, almost toothless leaf. The flow- ers, which are about 3-4 in. broad, are on long pedun- cles terminating the branching stem that rises from 1 to 2 1-2 feet. It is found in bogs, ditches and muddy places from Me. to Minn, and south to the Gulf of Mexico. STIFF WATER CROWFOOT (R. circinatus) has white flowers and sessile leaves that are entirely sub- merged; the latter are rigid and do not collapse when taken from the water, as do those of the more com- mon White Water Crowfoot (R. aquatilis). The first species is rather rare and the last very common in slow flowing waters throughout the United States. MARSH MARIGOLD (Caltha palustris) is the very common marsh herb usually, but erroneously, called "Cowslip." Its leaves are very commonly used and marketed for food. The flowers are perfect, have no petals but from five to nine (usually the former) gold- en-yellow, shining sepals and numerous brighter sta- mens. The stems are hollow and furrowed. The leaves are round kidney-shaped, usually with scallop- ed edges. Marsh Marigold is abundant in swamps or wet meadows from Newfoundland to Alaska and southwards through the United States, flowering in April and May. B. A. CREEPING BUTTERCUP. Ranunculus repens. COMMON BUTTERCUP; TALL CROWFOOT. Ranunculus acris. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 121 CREEPING BUTTERCUP (Ranunculus repens) is, as per its name, a creeping plant. The stem is pros- trate, creeping along the ground and striking new roots from the junctions of the leaf and flower stems with the main one. The flowers are large and broad- petalled, both the petals and stamens being a deep shining golden yellow. This species is indigenous in the West, but probably introduced from Europe in the East, where it is found chiefly near the coast, in ditches or along the edges of marshes. SWAMP BUTTERCUP (R. septentrionalis) is an- other of the Crowfoots that chooses the wettest of places for its habitat. Its stem is hairy, ascending, from 1 to 2 1-2 feet high. In very wet places some of the stems are usually recumbent and form runners. The leaves are on long petioles, and are 3-parted, each division being stemmed and further divided, notched or slashed. The flowers are rather large, for Butter- cups, with broad, oval, shining yellow petals, spread- ing much wider than the sepals. It is common in moist or shady places throughout our range, flowering from May to August. COMMON BUTTERCUP; CROWFOOT (R. acris) (EUROPEAN). Even though we have quantities of native Buttercups, it is this handsome foreigner that is the most abundant; this is the species that is found in fields everywhere, the one that delights the little folks and figures in many of their childish games. The opposite picture shows well the character of the flower and its leaves, but paint cannot be made to do justice to the dazzling, shining, golden yellow But- tercup. The leaves and stems of the Crowfoots are very acrid, but not poisonous; on this account they are shunned by cattle and horses. This accounts in part for their abundance in most fields and pas- tures. A. TALL MEADOW RUE. Thalictrum polygamum. B. PASQUE FLOWER. Anemone patens. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 123 TALL MEADOW RUE (Thalictrum polygamum) is one of the characteristic plants of swamps and edges of streams. It is very ambitious and determin- ed that none of its neighbors shall raise their heads above it. If the surrounding vegetation averages one foot in height, this is sure to attain a height of two feet. Should its neighboring plants be three or four feet high, we will find the plumey flowers of this species triumphantly waving above them on stems five, six or even seven feet tall. Naturally a flower that thrusts itself so prominently into view, has many insect visitors and is often cross- pollenized by them. It is very capable of looking out for itself, for it has often three kinds of flowers on one plant, staminate, pistillate and perfect. The stalk is rather stout and grooved, pale green, stained with maroon. The long stemmed leaves are many times compounded into small, lobed leaflets of a pale, dull blue-green color. The flowers are in feathery clusters; each individual flower having numerous white filaments, no petals, but usually four or five early falling sepals. From June to September we may find the mist-like flowers of Meadow Rue in swamps, from Labrador to Manitoba and south through the United States. EARLY MEADOW RUE (T. dioicum) is a smaller and more slender species found in open woods and on rocky hillsides. Staminate, brown-tipped flowers grow on some plants and pale greenish pistillate ones grow on others. PASQUE FLOWER (Anemone patens) has a soli- tary erect flower with five to seven purplish sepals. Leaves divided and cut into narrow, acute lobes. Both stem and leaves covered with silky hairs. This species is found on prairies from Wis. and Montana southwards. A. WOOD ANEMONE; WIND FLOWER. Anemone quinque folia. B. RUE ANEMONE. Anemonella thalictroides. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 125 WOOD ANEMONE; WIND FLOWER (Anemone quinquefolia) is an exceedingly delicate looking plant, but the fortitude with which it withstands the winds of early April rather belies its appearance. Swayed this way and that, with a violence that threat- ens to demolish it, it safely weathers the most se- vere storms and, with the appearance of the sun, its nodding head beckons a welcome to the early bees. Very appropriate indeed is its common name of "Wind Flower." The stem is slender and 4 to 8 in. high. Three leaves radiate from a point about two thirds up; each on a long stem and divided into three to five, tooth- ed, ovate leaflets. The solitary flower rises on a slender peduncle from the junction of these three leaves with the stem proper. It has four to seven sepals, most often five; white inside and purplish white on their outer surface; numerous yellow and brown-tipped stamens radiate from the base of the greenish pistils; the flower has an expanse of slight- ly less than one inch, but is rarely seen fully expand- ed. The very smooth slender stalk grows from an elongated, horizontal rootstalk. The Wind Flower is common in woods or thickets from Nova Scotia to the Rockies and southwards. RUE ANEMONE (Anemonella thalictroides) is even more slender in form than the Wind Flower. From four to nine sepals, (usually six), numerous orange-tipped stamens and a broad stigma make up the flower; there are several of them on exceedingly slender peduncles, rising from the whorl of leaves. The latter are on slender stems, have heart-shaped bases and three-lobed ends; rather small, pale green above and with a whitish bloom below. Its root is a cluster of tuberous rootlets. It is found in the same localities and the same range as the last spe- cies, with which it associates. A. PURPLE VIRGIN'S BOWER. Clematis verticillaris. B. VIRGIN'S BOWER; CLEMATIS. Clematis virginiana. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 127 PURPLE VIRGINS BOWER (Clematis verticillaris) is probably the most rare species of Clematis. It grows in rocky hilly or mountainous woods, most abundant- ly in northern portions of its range, which is from Quebec to Hudson Bay and south locally to Del. and Pa. It is a climbing woody vine, supporting itself by the bending or clasping of the leaf stalks. The flowers grow singly, on long stems from the axils of the leaves or from the end of the vine. They are large and handsome, the four thin, purple, pointed, translucent sepals spreading from two to four inches when fully expanded. Both sides of the sepals are covered with silky hairs or down along the edges. The sepals are usually much concaved, forming a cup-shaped flower; the petals are very small, spatu- late shaped; numerous greenish-white stamens are clustered in the center of the flower. The leaves are divided into three leaflets, ovate, pointed, with a heart-shaped base. MARSH CLEMATIS (C. crispa), found in the south- ern states is the most beautiful species; flowers about the size of the last, with bluish-purple, crimped, or wavy-edged sepals, sweet scented. LEATHER FLOWER (C. Viorna) is a larger and tougher species with a woody stem that often reaches a length of 10 feet. The flower calyx is bell-shaped, the four pointed sepals being very thick and leath- ery. It grows in rich soil, usually climbing over bushes, from Pa. to Mo. southwards, flowering in May and June. VIRGIN'S BOWER (Clematis virginiana) is a beau- tiful, graceful, climbing, twining vine found through- out our range. The small greenish white flowers, with four or five sepals, grow in clusters from the leaf axils; staminate and pistillate ones are on separate plants. In Pall, the beautiful silky plumes of the seed pods gives this species the name of "Old Man's Beard." A. WILD COLUMBINE. Aquilegia canadensis. B. GOLD THREAD. Coptis tri folia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 129 WILD COLUMBINE (Aquilegia canadensis) is one of our typical, early woodland plants, graceful in form and beautiful in flower. It grows in rocky wood- land throughout our range, flowering from April to June. The slender roots are perennial and the plant will grow up each year if this is undisturbed. Unfor- tunately, from the nature and shallowness of the soil among the rocks, and the tough wiry, slender stem, it is usually plucked out by the roots by those gathering flowers. I trust that those of my readers who find it necessary or advisable to gather this, or other flowers, will make sure that at least the root be left for future production. The flowers are well shown on the opposite page; the stem is very slender, wiry and graceful, quite branching and attaining heights of one to two feet. The flowers are heavy, which causes them to nod from their slender, thread-like peduncles. A quantity of nectar is secreted in the base of each red spur, serving to attract butterflies, moths and often the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, for these birds are very partial to red colors. Columbine blossoms from April to July throughout our range, on rocky, wooded hill- sides. GOLDTHREAD (Coptis trifolia) is a small wood- land plant receiving its name from the slender, threadlike, golden-yellow roots; these are very bitter and are used for the concoction of several medicines. These roots are characterisitc and readily identify the species. The leaves also are peculiar in that they are evergreen, and deep shining green in color, 3-parted and notched, on long petioles from the root. The white flower has five or six early falling sepals; it is usually solitary on a scape from 3 to 6 in. high. Common in rich woods throughout U. S. and Canada. A. A. MONKSHOOD; ACONITE. Aconitum uncinatum. B. HEPATICA; LIVERWORT. Hepatica triloba. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 131 MONKSHOOD; ACONITE (Aconitum uncinatum) is an attractive wild flower with a slender, rather weak, stem often supporting itself against other species. Some of its traits remind one of the Columbine, to which it is closely related, but it lacks the hardy qual- ities of that species. The flowers are quite large and handsome; they grow in a loose, few-flowered raceme. The five sepals are very unequal in size and shape; the upper one is large and hood-like, and conceals two small petals within it; it has three to five pistils, numerous stamens and three other abortive petals. The leaves are firm, three to five-lobed and notched, on slender petioles. It grows in rich, moist woods from Pa. southwards, flowering from June to Septem- ber. HEPATICA; LIVERWORT (Hepatica triloba). It is always with a feeling of ecstacy that we find or hear the first reported blooming of the Ti erotica, each year; its coming is the first sign of the break- ing up of winter. If we except the early-Mowering Skunk Cabbage, and many refuse to consider this at all as a flower, the beautiful Hepatica is the first of our flowers to appear. It is seemingly well clad for low temperatures, for its stems are thickly covered with fuzzy hairs; the three-lobed, smooth-ed.^ed leaves are rather thick and coarse, lasting through the winter but turning a ruddy color, while t;:e new ones, that appear with the buds, are light green ari.l radiate above the older prostrate ones. A single bius som appears at the end of each long fuzzj -cape; it is about one inch broad, has five to ten Male pur- ple or lilac sepals and numerous greenish i>!v:iil:s and yellow anthers; they have a slight fr?-v .nee. Hepaticas grow in smaV .. Uorie«. blooming, from March to May in open 'v- .u ti'iiii N. S to Manitoba and southwards. MAY APPLE; MANDRAKE. Podophyllum peltatum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 133 MANDRAKE; MAY APPLE (Podophyllum pelta- tum) belongs to the Barberry Family (Berberida- ceae), a small family of shrubs or herbs, divided into five genera of but one or two species each. The present species is quite common in rich woods, or in shady, moist ground, from western N. E. to Minn, and southwards, flowering in May. The bare stalk rises to heights of 10 to 12 inches, then branches into two long-stemmed, light green, large, spreading leaves; the latter are five to nine-parted, lobed, notched, and unevenly balanced. From the forked joint of the leaves, hangs a solitary white flower on a short, slender, curving peduncle; this is very deli- cate, nearly two inches across, and of six petals and twice as many stamens. Other non-flowering stalks bear at the summits, single, large, one-sided, divided leaves. While the blossom of the May Apple yields no nec- tar, it is visited by bees in search of pollen and is chiefly fertilized through their agency. The fruit is large and lemon-shaped, yellow in color, ripening in July. It is the fruit that gives it the name of May Apple. It is also known as "Wild Lemon/' quite an appropriate name if the fruit alone is considered. While the leaves and stem are poisonous, the fruit is not, but has a peculiar, acid, sickish flavor. TWINLEAF (Jeffersonia diphylla) is a small, low plant, being only about 8 in. high when in flower. The solitary white flower has eight white petals and half as many early-falling sepals; it grows at the top of a naked scape. The two-parted leaves grow from the root on long petioles; they are bright above and rather whitish below. Twinleaf is not uncommon in moist woods from N. Y. to Wise, and southwards; it flowers in April and May. A. BLOODROOT. Sanguinaria canadensis. B. PRICKLY POPPY. Argemone intermedia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 135 BLOODROOT (Sanguinaria canadensis). Closely following on the heels of our handsome Hepatica, we find the delicate flowered Bloodroot unfurling its leaves and expanding its flowers in rich, rocky, op- en woodland. Almost before snow has left, the flower stalk bearing a little bud, closely wrapped in a delicate silvery leaflet, forces its way up through the earth and dead leaves. The leaf unfurls and the flower stalk grows rapidly, forcing the bud up out of its protection; it now opens, the two sheathing sepals falling off, exposing to our view an exquisitely — pure, white, delicate blossom; the eight petals are partially closed on dull days, but in sunshine spread wide open, one and one-half inches in diameter, ex- posing the golden center made up of the numerous, yellow-tipped stamens. The flowers are very deli- cate; the petals stay but two or three days anyway, and a breath of wind may blow them off sooner. After the flower is gone, the leaf developes rapidly and becomes very large and imposing, with many divisions and lobes. The root is reddish and is filled with a 'blood-like juice, as is also the stem. This is now used in medicines and was formerly used by In- dians for coloring purposes. Bloodroot is common from N. S. to Minn, and southwards.. It flowers in April and May. PRICKLY POPPY (Argemone mexicana) is a hand- some Mexican plant found in the southwestern por- tions of the United States and, as an escape, in other portions. It has a prickly stem from one to two feet high. The stemless leaves have sharp lobes, also armed with prickles. The flower is bright yellow, has four petals and numerous orange-tipped stamens. The later fruit capsule is about one inch in length and is covered with prickly bristles. The flowers give no nectar, but plenty of pollen to the bees that visit them. CELANDINE. Chelidonium ma jus. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 137 CELANDINE (Chelidonium majus) (EUROPEAN). Although this is a stranger in a strange land, having come to us from across the seas, it is by no means backwards and is extending its range with remark- able celerity. It is now abundant almost everywhere in the eastern half of our country. It bids fair, in time, to extend its range to equal that of the English Sparrow, but we trust it will never become a pest as that bird has. The stem is quite stout and very branching; at the end of each branch is a. loose cluster of buds on slender pedicels. These open one or two at a time, so that the plant keeps in bloom for a long time; in fact, the flowering season extends from early in May to the end of September. The flowers are half an inch or more broad, with four golden-yellow petals, a slender, pointed green pistil and numerous yellow stamens. The seed-pod is long and slender; when ripe, it splits at the base and allows the seeds to es- cape. Towards the end of the flowering season, the continued bloom is marked by the large number of these pods with which the plant is decorated. The thin, soft leaves are very handsomely divided into three to seven, lobed leaflets. Both stem and leaves have a bright yellow, very acrid juice, that stains everything it comes in contact with. Celand- ine is often known in Europe as "Swallow-wort" as it is supposed to commence flowering with the com- ing of the swallows and to cease with their departure. Its generic name also originated in this belief. CELANDINE POPPY (Stylophorum diphyllum) is a very similar species, both as to leaf and flower. It has fewer flowers than the last, and the seed pod is ovoid in shape and bristly. It is found from Pa. to Wise, and southwards. A. DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES. Dicentra cucullaria. B. SQUIRREL CORN. Dicentra canadensis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 139 DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES (Dicentra Cucullaria). This peculiarly flowered herb belongs to the Fumi- tory family (Fumariaceae), a family of delicate, smooth plants with watery juices and compound, dis- sected leaves. One has but to glance at this species to see why it should have received the name it bears. Oftimes objects are fancifully named, and future gen- erations look and wonder, but fail to see the reason for so naming them, but not so with Dutchman's Breeches, for there are the little panties suspended where all may see them. The flower stalk, proceeding from the root, attains heights of from 5 to 9 inches and bears a loose ra- ceme of four to eight white, inverted flowers; the four petals are united in pairs, two of them forming a large double-spurred sac, and the other two very small petals forming a protection for the stigma. The double sac is white, stained with yellow. The leaves are on long petioles from the rootstalk; they are pale sage-green in color, 3-parted and finely slash- ed. Dutchman's Breeches may be found blooming in April and May in rich, hilly woods from N. S. to Minn, and south to N. C. and Mo. SQUIRREL CORN (D. canadensis) is similar, but the white sac-like petals are stained with purple, the spurs are shorter and rounder and the flower is slightly fragrant. The roots have little tuberous ap- pendages resembling grains of corn. This species is found in the same range as the last. PALE CORYDALIS (Corydalis sempervirens) is also similar in some respects to the foregoing species. The leaves are sage green, 3-parted, but not slashed as much as those of Dutchman's Breeches. The pale magenta flowers are half an inch long, have a rounded base and two-flanged mouth. It is found from N. S. to Minn, and south to Ga. A. TOOTHWORT; CRINKLEROOT. Dent aria diphylla. B. WHITLOW GRASS. Draba verna. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 141 MUSTARD FAMILY (Cruciferae). A large family divided into eight tribes, thirty one genera and more than a hundred species. All have pungent watery juices, finely dissected compound leaves and cruciform flowers, the four spreading limbs of the petals forming a cross. TOOTHWORT; CRINKLEROOT (Dentaria diph- ylla). During the latter part of April or in May we will find white, crosslike flowers of Toothwort often growing side by side with Anemones. Its stem is stout and smooth, and rises to heights of 8 to 12 inch- es. At the top are the flowers arranged in a loose spike, on short peduncles; they are half an inch wide, have four white petals, the same number of shorter sepals and numerous yellow stamens. Two 3-parted, notched-edged leaves with short stems, are set op- positely on the flowering stalk, above the middle; other larger, similar ones are on long petioles from the rootstalk. Its names are derived from the shape of the root, which is crinkled and with toothlike ap- pendages; it is edible and often used by country folk as a relish. It is found in rich woods from N. S. to Minn, and southwards. CUT-LEAVED TOOTHWORT (D. laciniata) is very similar. The leaves are deeply cut into narrow lobes, conspicuously gash-toothed. The root is deep-seated and with larger tubers. This species blooms from April to June in about the same range as the last. WHITLOW GRASS (Draba verna) (EUROPEAN) has become quite common throughout our range. It is a weed that we will find along roadsides, waste places or barren fields. The flowers are small, and the four white petals are deeply notched. The scape is from 1 to 5 in. high. The leaves are all basal, lance-shaped and lobed or toothed. A. COMMON BLACK MUSTARD. Brassica nigra. B. HEDGE MUSTARD. Sisymbrium officinale. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 143 COMMON MUSTARD (Brassica nigra) (EURO- PEAN). Mustard is extensively cultivated in Europe for the small dark brown seeds that form a valuable article of commerce, being used for the table condi- ment and for various medicinal purposes, such as liniments and the dreaded mustard plaster. In our country, Mustard is regarded as a pest; it is a very strong, hardy plant, soon over-running sec- tions where it gets a foothold. It is very abundant about abandoned farms and often enroaches upon fields in cultivation; its continued presence in the latter case usually is a sign of shiftlessness on the part of the owner. The stem is very branching and grows to heights of from 2 to 7 feet. The four-petal- ed, light yellow flowers are in small dense clusters at the ends of the branches; a trail of small, erect seed-pods is left in the wake of the flowers as they continue to bloom along the lengthening stem. The leaves have a large terminal, notched lobe and small- er lateral ones. CHARLOCK; FIELD MUSTARD (B. arvensis) has slightly larger flowers (over one half inch broad), the seed pods are much longer (nearly two inches) and do not hug the stem as closely; the outline of the seeds is plainly visible in the pods. The leaves are notched but not divided nearly as much as those of the Common or Black Mustard. It is very common, as an obnoxious weed,, everywhere and was also in- troduced into this country from Europe. HEDGE MUSTARD (Sisymbrium o ff i c i n a I e ) (EUROPEAN), This is also a common weed, brought from Europe, that keeps the thrifty farmer everlast- ingly busy trying to exterminate it. It has tiny, four- petalled yellow flowers that bloom all summer, along the lengthening stem, and leaves numerous tiny pods closely set against the stem. The leaves are more angular and more finely divided than those of the Common Mustard. PITCHER PLANT. Sarracenia purpurea. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 145 PITCHER PLANT FAMILY (Sarraceniaceae) A small family of bog-inhabiting plants having hol- low pitcher-formed or trumpet-shaped leaves. PITCHER PLANT; HUNTSMAN'S CUP (Sarracen- ia purpurea). Few plants are as little known, general- ly as this species. It is one of the most interesting ones that we have. The shapes of both the leaves and blossoms are clearly shown in the opposite picture/ The pitchers, or basal leaves, may number from three to a dozen, all radiating from the root and all with the orifice up. An examination shows that each pitcher is partially filled with water. Just below the rim of the leaf, on the inside, is a sticky substance to at- tract insects; as these enter, they pass downwards over countless little hairs, all pointing downwards. These make it very difficult for insects to crawl out of the pitcher, and many of them become exhausted and are drowned in the water. As these insects de- compose, they are absorbed by the plant. On ac- count of its killing insects and afterwards devouring them by absorption, the Pitcher Plant is often class- ' ed, as a carnivorous species. / Pitcher Plants grow in boggy places, where Spag- num Moss abounds; of course such places may De- come quite dry during the summer. This, however, does not discommode the plant in the least, as it carries its 'reservoir with it. In cold weather we find the pitchers with the water frozen within them. No less peculiar is the flower of this plant, a sin- gle blossom, borne on a long, hollow, erect scape, dur- ing May and June. The five sepals are thick and pur- plish; the delic'ate hanging petals are dull pink; the pistil is umbrella-like and surrounded by numerous stamens. The Pitcher Plant is local in bogs from Labrador to Manitoba and southwards. 10 A. THREAD-LEAVED SUNDEW. Drosera filiformis. B. ROUND-LEAVED SUNDEW. Drosera rotundifolia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 14<7 SUNDEW FAMILY (Droseraceae). A small family of insectivorous plants found in bogs or moist sandy soil. THREAD-LEAVED SUNDEW (Drosera filiformis) has long, linear, film-like, erect, very hairy leaves. The flowers are numerous and loosely racemed at the top of a slender smooth scape; they have five, small, purple petals, five stamens and several 2-parted stig- mas. The flowers open only in the sunshine and bloom towards the top of the scape, where a number of undeveloped buds droop. This species is found in wet sandy soil from New England to Delaware, not far from the coast. ROUND-LEAVED SUNDEW (Drosera rotundifolia) is one of the most common of the Sundews; it is found in moist, sandy or peaty soil from Labrador to Alaska and south to Pa. and Cal. The leaves are numerous, quite round, and on long stems from the root. The leaves are thickly covered with hairy glands, that exude drops of a clear glutinous fluid, glistening in the sunlight like little drops of dew; it is from these that the plant is named. These dew- like drops deceive insects into alighting on the leaves, when they discover, to their dismay, that they are held fast prisoners in the sticky fluid. Having caught a victim, the leaf slowly folds about it and more slow- ly digests it. The flower stalk of this species grows from 5 to 9 in. high, is reddish colored and often has one or two branches at the top. The one to twenty five flowers that it has during the flowering season are white. They open but one or two at a time, and only in bright sunshine. The leaves, and also the short rootstalk, have rather purplish juices that stain what they come in contact with. While they are small and inconspic- uous, one will find it well worth while to study these plants. A. GRASS OF PARNASSUS. Parnassia caroliniana. B. EARLY SAXIFRAGE. Saxifraga virginiensis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 149 SAXIFRAGE FAMILY (Saxifragaceae). Herbs or shrubs having perfect flowers, usually with five petals, and either opposite or alternate leaves: The seeds have copious albumen, which sep arates this family from the various species of the Rose Family. GRASS OF PARNASSUS (Parnassia caroliniana) is a pretty little swamp or meadow plant growing from 8 to 24 inches high. The flowers are a delicate creamy white, finely veined with greenish, and borne singly on long scapes; a single, heart-shaped leaf clasps each flower scape a short distance above its base. The basal leaves are long-stemmed, rather thick and coarse in texture, smooth-edged and bluntly pointed. The flowers present rather an unusual appearance, both because of the veining and because the five fer- tile stamens alternate with the petals, leaving the yellowish anthers located just at the angle, formed where the petals overlap. We find this species in bloom from the latter part of June until the end of September, most abundantly in the latter month. It ranges from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Va. and Mo. EARLY SAXIFRAGE (Saxifraga virginiensis) is a tiny-flowered plant that loves dry, sunny, rocky hill- sides; in these places we may look for its flowers during March and April. The leaves are all basal; spatulate in shape, blunt ended, either rough-edged or toothed, rather coarse in texture, narrowing to- wards their base into clasping stems. The flower scapes are quite stout, hairy and rather sticky; the white flowers, in loose umbels at the top, are small and five parted. Saxifrage is common from N. B, to Minn, south to Ga. and Tenn. A. MlTREWORT. Mitella diphylla. B. FOAM FLOWER; FALSE MITREWORT. Tiarella cordifolia. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 151 MITREWORT (Mitella nuda) is a tiny woodland plant that might readily escape our notice were it not for the peculiar little flowers. These are few in num- ber, very short-'stemmed, in a loose raceme at the top of a leafless, slightly hairy scape 4 to 7 in. high. The flowers have five petals, each with the edge beautifully fringed so as to give the flower a crystal- line appearance almost like a snowflake. The leaves are on long, hairy stems from the root; they are rounded or kidney-shaped with rough or lobed edges. These plants are often called "Bishops Caps" from the cap-like shape of the little seed pods. We find this species from Labrador to Saskatchewan, south to Ct. and Mich. TWO-LEAVED MITREWORT (Mitella diphylla) is a larger and sturdier species with similar flowers, but with two very short-stemmed, heart-shaped leaves clasping the flower stem oppositely about halfway up its length. The stem has more flowers at its top than the last species and is taller, ranging from 8 to 16 inches high. The basal leaves are heart-shaped, with three to five toothed lobes. This species is found in rich woods from N. E. to Minn., south to N. C. and Mo. FOAM FLOWER; FALSE MITREWORT (Tiarella cordifolia) has the general appearance of the last species. The slender, hairy flower scape, rising 6 to 12 in. from the rootstalk, has at the top a loose pan- icle of many small flowers, each on a long slender stem, thus differing from the short-stemmed flowers of Mitella. The leaves are all basal, on long hairy stems; heart-shaped, lobed and toothed and often mottled with brownish. The flowers have five petals and ten long stamens that give them a fuzzy appear- ance. Foam Flower is common from N. S. to Minn., southwards, flowering, in May and June. A. MEADOWSWEET. Spiraea latifolia. B. HARDACK; STEEPLE BUSH. Spiraea tomentosa. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 153 ROSE FAMILY (Rosaceae), This is a very large family made up of trees, shrubs and herbs. It contains some of our most valuable plants and fruit-bearing trees such as pear, apple, strawberry, blackberry, etc. The flowers are all reg- ular, have five petals, five sepals, numerous stamens, one or more pistils, and an abundance of nectar and pollen. They supply a bounteous feast for insects and they are chiefly fertilized by them. MEADOWSWEET (Spiraea salicifolia) is a com- mon and- beautiful shrub that grows along the edges of woods, swamps or even roadsides. Its handsome pyramidal clusters of flowers are in evidence during July and August. The stem is straight, slender, woody and yellowish buff; along it, at close intervals, alternate the lanceolate, toothed, short-stemmed leaves. At the top is a spire-like panicle of fleecy flower clusters. Each flower has five, round, white petals and numerous long, pink stamens that give the flowers a feathery appearance and a rosy tint. Its name is rather misleading for the flowers are only slightly fragrant. It ranges from N. Y. to Mo. and southwards; the common species found in the New England states is specifically known as latifolia. Its leaves are thinner and the stem more reddish. HARDHACK; STEEPLEBUSH (Spiraea tomento- sa) is one of our most beautiful flowering shrubs. The flower spike is more slender and steeple-like than that of Meadowsweet and the flowers are a beautiful shade of pink. The flowers bloom down- wards from the top of the spike, so that it soon as- sumes a brownish or yellowish tinge at the top of the spire. The leaves are more closely alternated and are dark green above and lighter below. Steeple- bush grows in low ground from N. B. to Minn, and southwards. A. WILD STRAWBERRY. Fragraria virginiana. B. WILD BLACKBERRY. Rubus allegheniensis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 155 WILD STRAWBERRY (Fragraria virginiana). Any- one not acquainted with the Strawberry in its wild state has our sympathy for they have missed one of the most luscious treats that Nature has provided. We have, after years of cultivation, increased the size of the berry many times, it is true, but this in- crease in size has been largely at the expense of de- terioration in flavor. I have yet to see the cultivat- ed strawberry that is comparable to the wild one in this respect. The hairy stems of both leaves and flowers rise di- rectly from the running rootstalk. The flowers, sev- eral of which grow on each stem, are wheel-shaped, have five rounded white petals and narrow lanceolate greenish sepals;- the center is occupied by a green cone-like pistil and numerous stamens with small yellow anthers. After the flowering season, the green center expands, becomes pulpy and finally turns red on the outer surface; the numerous seeds are in little pits provided for them on the surface of the berry. The weight of the berries causes the slender peduncles to bend, while the flowers were erect. The leaves are three-parted, each division being spatulate and sharply toothed at the rounded end. The Wild Strawberry is common in fields and pas- tures throughout our range. ..HIGH BUSH BLACKBERRY (Rubus alleghenien- sis) is a tall branching shrub with slender brown stems, from three to ten feet long, armed with stout, slightly recurved prickles. It is from this species that the well known variety was developed. The leaves are divided into three to five ovate, pointed, toothed leaflets with a ribbed and hairy surface. The flowers have five green sepals alternating with the narrow white petals. This species is common every- where. A. COMMON CINQUEFOIL; FIVE-FINGER. Potentilla simplex. B. SILVERY CINQUEFOIL. Potentilla argentea. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 157 COMMON CINQUEFOIL; FIVE-FINGER (Poten- tilla canadensis). This species is the most common of the Five-fingers, and is also one of our most com- mon wild flowers, in pastures and along roadsides. It has a long period of bloom and flowers may be found from April until August. It is often mistaken for the Wild Strawberry, because of a similarity be tween the leaves of the two species, although those of this species have five divisions while those of the Strawberry have but three. The flowers are shaped like those of the Strawberry, but have bright yellow petals. The flowers are solitary, on long, slender stems from the axils of the leaves near the ends of the trailing branches, that grow from 6 to 24 inches long. This species is very common in the United States and southern Canada. SILVERY CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla argentea) is a common and very handsome species found in dry, barren ground throughout our range, but most abun- dantly near the coast. It is smaller than the proceed- ing, being from 5 to 12 in. high. The little, yellow flowers are clustered at the ends of the branches. The stems and the undersides of the divided and deeply cut leaves, are covered with fine, white, sil- very wool, contrasting sharply with the dark green of the upper surfaces. This species bloom from May until September. SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla fructicosa) is a very leafy and much branched Cinquefoil growing from six inches to three feet high. The leaves are di- vided into five to seven narrow leaflets, with a smooth but usually rolled edge; they are lighter below but not wooly as in the last species. The stem is quite erect, brownish and with bark often peeling off in shreds. The yellow flowers may be solitary, but usually are in rather flat-topped clusters. This species is com- mon everywhere. A. AGRIMONY. Agrimonia gryposepala. B. PURPLE CINQUEFOIL; MARSH FIVE-FINGER. Potentilla palustris. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 159 MARSH FIVE-FINGER; PURPLE CINQUEFOIL (Potentilla palustris) is in character quite like the foregoing species. It is the only one, however, hav- ing purple flowers, and is easily recognized on that account. The flowers are nearly an inch broad, larg- er than those of the other Cinquefoils; they have a large calyx, the divisions of which are longer than the petals; the petals are also pointed, whereas those of the other species are rounded or else wedge-shap- ed. The stem grows from 6 to 20 inches long and is rather woody at the base. The leaves alternate along the stem, as is customary with all members of the Rose family; they are divided into five or sev- en, spatulate-shaped, toothed leaflets. Purple Cin- quefoil grows in swamps or cool bogs, from Labrador to Alaska and south to N. J., Pa., la., and Cal., flow- ering during July and August. AGRIMONY (Agrimonia gryposepala) is a common weed found on the borders of swamps or thickets. It has a tall, hairy, simple stem from two to four feet high. The bright green leaves are variously compounded, from three small leaflets at the top of the stem to large leaves made up of seven, lance- shaped, toothed leaflets, interspersed with smaller ones on the lower part of the stalk. The flowers are in a long, many-flowered spike at the top of the stalk. Each flower is tiny, has five yellow petals and numerous, orange stamens, giv- ing the spike a bright, golden-yellow appearance. They open from the bottom of the spike, towards the top, and each plant is in bloom for a long period Our ancestors used the leaves for various medicinal concoctions, and some even used them for making tea. It is a common plant from N. B. to N. C. and westwards to Cal. A. CREEPING DALIBAKDA. Dalibarda repens. B. YELLOW AVENS. Geum strictum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 161 CREEPING DALIBARDA (Dalibarda repens) is a delicate woodland plant, found from N. B. to Mani- toba and south to N. J., Ohio and Mich. It has creep- ing, densely-tufted rootstalks, from which spring num- erous heart-shaped leaves on long petioles; these leaves, their stems and the flower stalks are downy, the former being scallop-edged or toothed. Dalibarda has two kinds of flowers: The first on long, upright scapes spread about half an inch, have five oval, white petals and many stamens; the pet- als are deciduous, faling off soon after the flower op- ens. The second kind of flowers are cleistogamous ones (fertilized in the bud) on short curving pedun- cles from the root. These last flowers are fertile, while many of those with petals are not. Dalibarda blooms from June to September in rich woods; when not in flower, its leaves are often mistaken for those of some of the violets. YELLOW AVENS (Geum strictum) grows in moist locations in swamps or thickets. The texture of the whole plant, leaves and stems, is rough and coarse. The root leaves are interruptedly pinnate, the seg- ments being wedge-shaped and toothed; the stem leaves have three to five oblong, acute, toothed leaf- lets. The flowers have quite large golden-yellow pet- als and a downy receptacle. This species is common from Newfoundland to Manitoba and south to N. C. and Mo. PURPLE AVENS (Geum rivale) is an aquatic or marsh species with lyre-shaped root leaves and few, 3-lobed stem leaves. The nodding flowers have rus- ty-purple petals terminating in a claw; the calyx is purplish and bell-shaped. The flower stalk is from one to two feet in height. Purple or Water Avens is common in northern U. S. and southern Canada. 11 WILD SWAMP ROSE. Rosa Carolina. Wild. Flowers East of the Rockies 163 SWAMP ROSE (Rosa Carolina). Wild roses are very common throughout our range and, of course, are familiar to everyone. They are usually, and right- ly regarded as one of our most beautiful wild flow- ers. They have a purity of form and color that is rarely seen in the many varieties that man has cul- tivated from them. The Swamp Rose is a very bushy species, growing from one to nine feet high. It is very common on the edges of swamps or streams, and in low ground, throughout our range. The com- pound leaf is made up of five to nine, lance-shaped, toothed leaflets; each leaf has a pair of stipules, or tiny leaves, at the junction of the slender stem with main stalk. The flowers are two or three inches broad and have numerous yellow stamens radiating from the green- ish-white center. The stem of the Swamp Rose is sparingly armed with stout, wide-based, curved thorns. PASTURE ROSE (Rosa humilis) is the most abun- dant of all our wild roses and grows in profusion in all dry, rocky places. It does not grow as high as the Swamp Rose, rarely exceeding t*hree feet in height, but the slender stems are more branching and often grow in large, tangled masses that, in the height of the blooming season, are exceedingly beautiful. The flowers are about the same size as those of the Swamp Rose, but are usually solitary at the ends of the branches. The leaves are dark green, without gloss, divided into five or seven ovate, sharply-pointed, irregular- ly-toothed leaflets. The stem is armed with straight, slender, light brown thorns or prickles, two of which are set oppositely on the stem at its junctions with the leaf stems. These sharp thorns often discourage plucking wild roses, and the petals soon fall or are broken off, so that they are little used for vases. SWEETBRIER; EGLANTINE. Rosa rubiginosa. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 165 SWEETBRIER; EGLANTINE (Rosa rubiginosa) is a very beautiful species of wild rose introduced from Europe. We may find it blooming quite com- monly in dry, rocky pastures and waste places dur- ing June and July. It is remarkable for and easily identified by, the sweet-scented, aromatic fragrance of its leaves. The stems are long and arching, grow- ing from two to six feet in height; they are brown and are armed at frequent intervals with short, de- cidedly recurved thorns or prickles. At regular intervals along the stem, are close-set, compact clusters of flowers and leaves. The leaves are made up of five or seven very small leaflets, rounded-ovate in form and with the edge finely double-toothed, and covered beneath with fine, sticky, glandular hairs . The flowers are also quite small, especially when compared to the very common Pas- ture and Swamp Roses, being only from one to two inches in diameter. They are rather light colored, a creamy-pink, and have five, heart-shaped petals, the ends being slightly notched; the numerous, curv- ing stamens are a bright yellow. All of the roses have quite large fruit, red in color and with the ends of the sepals spreading from its apex; that of the present species is ovoid in shape. Eglantine is found from Nova Scotia to Michigan and southwards to Virginia and Tenn. SMOOTH ROSE (Rosa blanda) is a species that is often wholly unarmed with prickles. The stem and the underside of the leaves are covered with a light bloom. The pale crimson-pink flowers measure near- ly three inches across. The red fruit is either round or pear-shaped, with persistent sepals. The Smooth Rose has a very northerly distribution. It is found in rocky places from Newfoundland and nothern New England westwards, chiefly along the shores of the Great Lakes, A. WILD LUPINE. Lupinus perennis. B. BLUE FALSE INDIGO. Baptisia australis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 167 PULSE FAMILY (Leguminosae). A very large and valuable family of plants, many of them being food-producing. Usually they have papilionaceous flowers, that is, with a standard, keel and wings. The family is divided into three sub- families containing 53 genera. WILD OR BLUE LUPINE (Lupinus perennis) re- ceives its generic name from the Latin of wolf, be- cause it was thought that the species preyed upon the soil and made it infertile for other kinds of plants. It is a very common species in sandy places and we of- ten see it on the banks along railroads. Both the leaves and the flowers are very attractive. The stem is quite stout, erect, hairy and branching. The leaves have long, slender stems; the leaf, proper, is palmate- ly-divided into • seven to eleven narrow, smooth-edg- ed leaflets that radiate like the spokes of a wheel; they are rather thin and delicate in structure and at night partly fold together. The flowers are in long, showy, terminal spikes of pea-like blossoms; they are bright purplish- blue in color; the calyx is two-lipped, sides of the standard reflexed and the keel scythe-shaped. The single pis- til developes into an oblong, flattened, knotty pod containing the seeds. Lupine is very common through the United States, east of the Rocky Moun- tains. BLUE FALSE INDIGO (Baptisia australis) is a tall branching species with a stem from three to six feet in height. The leaves are divided into three spat- ulate-shaped leaflets. The violet-blue flowers grow in long, loose spikes; they are about one inch long, have a four or five-toothed calyx, straight keel and wings, and short standard. The seed-pod has a spur at its tip. This species is common from Pa. to Ga. and west to Mo. A. WILD INDIGO. Baptisia tinctoria. B. RATTLEBOX. Crotalaria sagittalis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 169 WILD INDIGO (Baptisia tinctoria) is a very branchy and very bushy herb. The stem divides soon after it leaves the ground, the slender branch- lets extending equally in all directions so that the appearance of the whole plant, from a distance, is often that of a large, bluish-green globe. The leaves are three-parted, wedge-shaped, dull green with a white bloom that gives them a bluish-green appear- ance. The yellow, butterfly-shaped flowers are in loose clusters at the ends of all the branches. They are visited by many of the small butterflies and small bees. After fertilization, the flowers turn blackish. The roots of Wild Indigo are used by drug concerns for the compounding of a number of medicines. An indigo dye, of a poor quality, can also be made from the plant. Wild Indigo grows in dry or sandy soil from Maine to Minnesota, flowering from June to Sep- tember. RATTLEBOX (Crotalaria sagittalis) receives its name because the seeds rattle about in the large, inflated, blackish, seed-pod. It is an annual herb, with a hairy, bending stem and stemless, toothless, pointed-oval leaves alternating along it. The yellow, pea-like flowers are in small clusters at the ends of the branches. It is found in sandy soil, chiefly along the coast, from Mass, to Fla. and Texas and, in the Mississippi basin, to Indiana and South Dakota. PRAIRIE CLOVER (Petalostemum purpureum) is an upright perennial herb, with the smooth stem crowded with leaves, compounded of five, narrowly- linear leaflets. The flowers are small and crowded in dense terminal spikes; they are purple or rose- color- ed, have a small standard and four petals on thread- like claws. It is found on dry prairies west of the Mississippi. A. GOAT'S RUE; CATGUT. Tephrosia virginiana. B. PARTRIDGE PEA. Cassia Chamaecrista. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 171 GOATS RUE; CAT GUT (Tephrosia virginiana). We find this herb in most all dry, sandy, waste places from N. H. to Minn, and southwards. It is a pea-like plant with a simple, silky-haired, erect stem, leafy to the top where it terminates in a dense raceme or panicle of yellowish-white flowers marked with purple. The flowers are large and num- erous; they have a rounded standard, but little long- er than the wings and keel. The long leaves are com- pounded of seventeen to twenty-nine linear-oblong leaflets. Its roots are long, very slender and very tough; it is from these qualities of the roots that the plant receives its common names. PARTRIDGE PEA (Cassia Chamaecrista) is a handsome species with large, showy, yellow flowers measuring about 1 1-4 inches across; on slender ped- icels from the angles of the leaves, usually either sing- ly or in pairs; often the five, large, rounded petals have purplish spots at their bases; after flowering, long erect seed pods are left in the place of each of the blossoms. The leaves of the Partridge Pea are long and com- pounded of 20-30 small, blunt, lance-shaped leaflets, each with a tiny awl-like point. The stem is erect, rather smooth, and grows one or two feet tall. We find this plant in dry or sandy fields throughout the United States. WILD SENSITIVE PLANT (Cassia nictitans) is quite similar but much taller. The flowers are small and on short stems, in groups of two or three at the bases of the leaves. The leaves are compounded of 10-20 small leaflets, less than 3-4 inches long; they are very sensitive and close, or fold together, at night, or in the daytime if handled roughly. It is found from Me. to Pla. and west to Nebr. anrl Tex. A. RABBIT-FOOT CLOVER; STONE CLOVER. Trifolium arvense. B. RED CLOVER. Trifolium pratense. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 173 RABBIT-FOOT CLOVER; STONE CLOVER (Tri- folium arvense) (EUROPEAN). It is not always the largest, brightest colored and showiest flowers that are the most beautiful; the present species has a graceful, charming, silky beauty that places it far in advance of many of its brighter colored companions in the field. Yet, how often are its fuzzy heads pass- ed by as weeds unworthy of notice. It is because of this silky, fuzziness that it receives its name of Rabbit-foot, and from the fact that it often grows in stony or rocky fields that it has been given its second name. The stalk of this species is soft, silky and from 4 to 10 inches high. The light green leaves have three leaflets with blunt tips. The flower heads are com- posed of numerous florets; it is the long, pink, feath- ery tips of the five-parted calyx that gives the blos- som its silky fuzziness; it is quite fragrant and is vis- ited by the smallest butterflies. You may find this species everywhere within our range. RED CLOVER (Trifolium pratense) is the most common and the most valuable species of clover. One would hardly believe, knowing how abundant it is in all parts of our range, that this clover could have been introduced and have become so widely distri- buted, yet such is the case. One reason that it does so well in this country is that we have a very large number of bumblebees, and it has been found that clover is so dependent upon these insects for fertili- zation, that, without them, it will soon die out. The little florets, composing the globular flower- head, are bright crimson-pink; they abound in nec- tar and are sweet-scented. The three leaflets that make up each leaf, have whitish-green triangles in the middle. The plant stems are hairy and from 8 to 24 inches high. A. ALSIKE CLOVER. Trifolium hybridum. B. WHITE CLOVER. Trifolium repens. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 175 ALSIKE or ALSATIAN CLOVER (Trifolium hy- bridum) (EUROPEAN) is quite similar to our native white Clover, but the stem is stout, branching and juicy. The trifoliate leaves of this species are un- marked and have a simple, rounded end, not notched, but the edge of the leaf is very finely toothed; they have long slender stems, with stipules where they join the stalk. The florets composing the round flower-heads are cream-colored, tinged with pink; they are very fragrant and laden with nectar. The low- er florets on the head bloom first; after they have been fertilized, they turn brown, and are reflexed, so that towards the end of the flowering season, the flowers have a very disheveled appearance, the lower part being dead and drooping, while the upper is fresh, pink and erect. This species is now common throughout our range, flowering from May to October in meadows, waste places or along roadsides. WHITE CLOVER (Trifolium repens) is th,e most common of the white clovers. It is supposed to be indigenous in the northern parts of our range. It is highly prized as forage for cattle and is often cul- tivated in fields for that purpose. It is also a fav- orite with keepers of bees, for it is very rich in nec- tar and they claim that it makes a better quality of honey than any other. Its stems are smooth, reclining and 4 to 10 inches long; they creep by runners. The leaves are com- posed of three leaflets, heart-shaped or notched at the ends, and usually with a more or less distinct tri- angular mark in the middle. This is the species that furnishes the prized "4-leaved clovers" that children so dearly love to find, and that are supposed to sig- nify "good luck". The flowers are creamy white, slightly pinkish and very fragrant. A. YELLOW CLOVER; HOP CLOVER. Trifolium agrarium. B. YELLOW MELILOT; SWEET CLOVER. Melilotus officinalis. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 177 YELLOW CLOVER; HOP CLOVER (Trifolium ag- rarium) (EUROPEAN). This clover, that came to our shores, long ago, from across the water, is very common in the eastern half of the United States and southern Canada; we find it growing most abundant- ly along roadsides and in dry or sandy fields. The stem is quite smooth, slender, erect and slightly branching and grows from 6 to 15 inches high. The leaves have very short stems, in fact they are practically seated on the stalk; the lower ones have large stipules at their bases; they are thin and soft and have fine, feather-veining on each of the three small leaflets making up the leaf. The flowers grow singly, or in clusters of two or three, at the ends of the branches. The flower head is oblong, densely crowded with small, golden-yel- low florets, having an alternate, scaly arrangement. They bloom from the bottom of the head, upwards and, as they mature, turn yellowish-brown and are reflexed, resembling dried hops. Several stalks may spring from a single root, so that the plant sometimes has quite a bushy appearance. Its flowering season is from June until September. LOW HOP CLOVER (Trifolium procumbens) (ED-1 ROPE AN) is a very similar species with a low, spreading, branching stem and with the three leaflets, notched at the ends and the middle one with a short stem. It is a common species throughout our range. YELLOW MELILOT; YELLOW SWEET CLOVER (Melilotus officinalis) (EUROPEAN) is a common, weed-like plant found everywhere in waste places. The stem is tall and branching, growing from 2 to 4 feet high. The leaves are trifoliate, each leaflet be- ing finely toothed and the middle one having a short stem with a double bend. The yellow, clover-like florets are in long, loose racemes, terminating the branches; they have a sweet fragrance. 12 A. ALFALFA; LUCERNE. Medicago saliva. B. Cow VETCH. Ficia Cracca. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 179 ALFALFA; LUCERNE (Medicago sativa) (EUR- OPEAN) is found growing wild in waste places or fields most anywhere in our range. It makes an ex- cellent fodder for cattle and will grow in waste, sandy places where it is impossible to raise crops of hay. Our Government has devoted considerable atten- tion to the cultivation of this species and it is now extensively raised in the Southern and Western States, where thousands of tons are annually harvest- ed and stored for the needs of livestock. The stalk is smooth, slender, branching and erect; it grows from 1 to 2 feet high. The leaves are three- parted, on long slender stems with narrow stipules at their bases; each of the three leaflets has a tiny, sharp bristle at its end, and the middle one has & short, slender stem with a distinct double bend. The purple flowers grow in short, loose racemes at the ends of the slender branches; the seed-pod* is cur- iously twisted or coiled and contains several seeds. COW VETCH; BLUE VETCH (Vicia Cracca) is a trailing herb with a weak, angled stem; it is common on the borders of thickets or the edges of cultivated fields. The stem grows from two to three feet long and climbs over grass or low brush by means of small, slender tendrils at the ends of the leaves. The compound leaves are made up of twenty to thirty small, oval leaflets, each tipped with a tiny, sharp-pointed bristle. The light violet-colored, bean- like flowers grow in a one-sided raceme on slender stalks from the angles of the terminating leaves of the branching, hairy stem. The flowers are reflexed, that is, they point downwards on tfreir stem. Several other species of Vetch have been intro- duced and are quite common, chief of which is the Common Vetch (V. sativa) which has fewer leaflets and flowers in pairs. A. GROUND NUT; WILD BEAN. Apios tuberosa. B. HOG PEANUT. Amphicarpa monoica. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 181 GROUND NUT; WILD BEAN (Apios tuberosa) is an exceedingly beautiful climbing vine, attaining lengths of four or five feet, crawling over walls or fences, or twisting itself about shrubs or other plants. Its pear-shaped, tuberous root is edible, as every country boy knows. While it does not prey upon plants by sucking their juices, as some of the climbing, twining vines do, this species sometimes entwines itself so tightly about its supporting plant as to retard the latter's growth or even to kill it. One of the most unique floral sights, that I recall, is that of many large Tiger Lilies, with their tall stout stalks entwined with the present species, and each of them in full flower. The leaves of the Ground 'Nut are compounded of five, or sometimes seven, ovate-pointed leaflets; they are toothless, smooth and light green. The flowers grow in dense, rounded clusters on slender stalks from between the angles of the leaves and the plant stem; they are maroon or lilac-brown, have very broad, reflexed standards and long scythe-shaped keels, strongly incurved or coiled. The flowers have a very rich coloring, different from that of any other species that I have ever seen. We find the Ground Nut in bloom during August and September in damp ground, usually on the borders of swamps or wet meadows, from N. B. to Minn, and southwards to the Gulf. WILD or HOG PEANUT (Amphicarpa monoica) is a dainty, trailing vine 2 to 7 feet long. The delicate, light green leaves are thrice compounded, on slender stems from the angles of which are small, drooping clusters of magenta-lilac blossoms. Other fruitful blossoms at the base of the plant develop into pear- shaped pods with single large seeds. Prom the fact that hogs used to root up and eat these, came the rather inappropriate name. A. COMMON FLAX. Linum usitatissimum. B. YELLOW FLAX. Linum virginianum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 183 FLAX FAMILY (Linaceae). A. small family of slender herbs; very valuable, as they furnish the flax from which all linen is made and many valuable medicinal remedies. WILD YELLOW FLAX (Linum virginianum) is a slender perennial species with a smooth stem from one to two feet in height; it branches slightly near the summit, each branch bearing at its end a few tiny yellow flowers, less than a half inch across. The flowers have a calyx divided into five sepals^ a corolla of five petals, five stamens and pistils, perfect and symmetrical flowers fertilized by small bees and bee- like flies. The small leaves are thin and have but one rib. This species may be found in dry woodland and thickets from Me. to Minn, and southwards to Ga. COMMON FLAX (Linum usutatissimum) (EURO- PEAN). This slender species is more attractive than the last because of its larger flowers. The stem is very slender, from one to two feet in height, and each of its few branches are terminated with one or two delicate, violet-blue flowers; these measure about three quarters of an inch broad, or slightly more, the five petals being large, broad and slightly over-lap- ping. Small, alternate, sharp-pointed leaves are thickly crowded on the stem; they have three, longi- tudinal ribs. This is the species that is cultivated very exten- sively in Europe, and less so in this country, for its linen fibre and its seed oil, both of which have a very extensive commercial use. It may be found along roadsides or railroads or in waste places anywhere, usually as an escape from cultivation. Linum striatum has tiny yellow flowers crowded on the stiff, angular branches. The leaves grow oppo- sitely. It is found in wet woods or on sandy shores from Mass, to Ga. and west to Tex. B. A. WOOD SORREL. Oxalis acetosella. VIOLET WOOD SORREL. Oxalis violacea. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 185 WOOD SORREL FAMILY (Oxalidaceae). A small family of low, recumbent herbs with trifoli- ate leaves and perfect, regular flowers. WHITE WOOD SORREL (Oxalis Acetosella) is one of the most delicate and dainty of our woodland flowers. It is commonly found in cool, damp situa- tions and is very partial to mountainous regions. The flowers are very frail looking, about an inch broad, borne on long slender peduncles from the root; the five, spreading petals are white, veined with crimson, giving the flower a delicate pinkish blush. The leaves are also on long, slender petioles from the root; they are trifoliate or clover-like, each of the three leaflets being inversely heart-shaped, — that is, with the end notched and with two rounded lobes. White Wood Sorrel is found from N. S. to Saskatchewan and south to N. E., N. Y. and in mountains to N. C. VIOLET WOOD SORREL (Oxalis violacea) is a very dainty species, perhaps more beautiful than the preceding. The long slender flower stalks bear at their summits three or more pale magenta flowers, while those of the last species have but one. The flowers are very similar except in color, but are a trifle smaller than those of the white species. The leaves of both these sorrels are very sensitive and fold up, if handled; they also close at dusk and only open when the suns rays beam on them the fol- lowing morning. The juices of these plants are very acid; the well known Oxalic acid is obtained from the leaves of both these kinds of sorrel. These Sorrels bear cleistogamous flowers at their bases, — that is, flowers ,that , fertilize -themselves in the bud and never open. The roots are perennial, creeping and scaly-toothed. YELLOW WOOD SORREL. Oxalis stricta. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 187 YELLOW WOOD SORREL; LADY'S SORREL (Ox- alis corniculata) is not a woodland plant but is very common along roadsides, in gardens, dooryards and fields. The pale green, slender stem is quite erect, branches but little, if at all, and grows from three to twelve inches tall. The leaves are long- stemmed and trifoliate, the three leaflets being broad- ly heart-shaped. They are very sensitive and close if roughly handled. They also close at night, or "go to sleep," as children call it. The leaves have very acid and sour juices, similar in taste to those of the common Red Sorrel that, by the way, belongs to an entirely different family (Buck-wheat). Country school children often chew the leaves of both of these, as the sour taste has an agreeable twang. The bright golden-yellow trflowers are quite "frag- rant; they open only in the sunshine and close tight- ly at night. They grow in few-flowered umbels at the end of the stem on slender peduncles from the axils of some of the leaves ; the petals are thin, notched at the ends and set in a five-parted calyx. After their flowering season, little erect, pointed pods take the place of the flowers. This species is a very common herb or weed throughout our range. LOW YELLOW WOOD SORREL (Oxalis repens) has several prostrate and creeping stems and numer- ous erect, leafy branches; it is very low, seldom at- taining a height of more than three inches, although the prostrate stem may measure a foot in length. The little yellow flowers are set on short deflexed pedi- cels; this peculiar arrangement is more prominent after the seed pods have developed as the stems are even more deflexed at that period; it looks just as though some one had bent each of the flower pedicels sharply back at their junction with the stem or ped- uncle. This species is less common than the preced- ing. A. WILD GERANIUM; CRAXESBILL. Geranium maculatum. B. HERB ROBERT. Geranium Robertianum. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 189 WILD GERANIUM; CRANESBILL (Geranium maculatum) is one of our most common woodland plants, (lowering from May to July. The stem, the leaves and the flower calyx are rough-hairy, the form- er being quite stout and branching and attaining heights of one to two feet. The large, magenta or pale purple flowers are in loose, few-flowered clusters at tlu> ends of the brunches; the petals are large and rounded and slightly over-lap; they are delicate in texture and show several rather transparent lines radiating from their whitish, bearded buses; (lie ten stamens are all tipped with large, golden-brown anth- ers and surround a slender, green pistil. This pis- til grows to be very long by the time the plant is in fruit, and it is this long beak that gives the species the name of Cranesbill; when the fruit is fully ma- tured, it suddenly splits upwards from the base and scatters the seeds contained therein, for a distance of several feet. The leaves of the Geranium are 'very beautiful; some of them aVe on long petioles from the base and others on shorter stems from the main plant stalk. Their texture is very coarse and fuzzy, and the sur- face often spotted with white or brown; they" are palmately divided into five lobes, each of which is sharply toothed and pointed. It is very common from Me. to Manitoba and southwards. HERB ROBERT (Geranium Robertianum) is a smaller edition of the last. Its flowers are similar, but smaller and coarser in texture. Its leaves are smaller and usually more deeply cleft. The stem is usually stained with rod: both this and the leaves emit a strong odor when bruised. The blossoms of this, and the last species, are fre- quented by various kinds of bees that are necessary to insure its pollenization, since the anthers have fal- len away before the stigma ripens. Herb Robert is common from Me. to Minn, and southwards. A. FRINGED POLYGALA. Polygala paucifolia. B. MILKWORT. Poll/gala polygama. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 191 MILKWORT FAMILY (Polygalaceae). This is a small family of herbs with opposite leaves and perfect but irregular flowers. FRINGED POLYGALA (Polygala paucifolia) is a dainty and low perennial, usually rising but four or five inches from the ground; the stem bends sharply as it enters the soil and continues into a long, slend- er rootstalk often a foot in length. A few broad, ovate, pointed, shining, bright green leaves are crowd- ed along the stem near its top and one or two tiny ones, resembling scales, clasp the stem lower down. Either one or two flowers are at the summit of the stem; they are quite large, being nearly an inch in lengthy the two lateral sepals are large and wing- shaped (one of the common local names for this spe- cies is "Bird-on-the-Wing" because of the fancied re- semblance to a bird in flight) ; the three petals are joined together to form a tube, through which the yellow stamens and pistil protrude; the two spread- ing sepals are crimson pink and the petals are light- er or white, the lower one being fringed or bearded. This Polygala is common in damp, rich woods from N. S. to Manitoba and southwards to the Gulf, flower- ing during May and June. It is largely dependent up- on the honeybee for fertilization. MILKWORT (Polygata polygama) is a slender-stem- med species from five to fifteen inches high; the stem is closely crowded, alternately, with narrow, oval, pointed, stemless leaves. The dull crimson flowers are borne in long, slender racemes at the top of the stem. Many, usually simple, stems grow from the biennial root; sometimes they have a single branch near the top. It also bears cleistogamous flowers on subterranean shoots; it is from these that it gets its specific name of polygama. It is quite common every- where in dry sandy soil. A. MlLKWORT. Poly gala sanguinea. B. CROSS-LEAVED MILKWORT. Poly gala cruciata. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 1Q3 FIELD or PURPLE MILKWORT (Polygala san- guinea) is a sturdy little pink-headed plant that grows in fields or meadows or along roadsides, often in com- pany with Hop Clover; it is a strange fact that the flower heads of these very different species should be shaped so nearly alike. The slender, erect, wiry stems are very leafy and slightly branched at the top. A single round or cylindrical flowerhead terminates each branch, and others may be on slender peduncles from the angles of the upper leaves. The flowers, proper, are concealed beneath the large, broad, scale-like, crimson-pink sepals that tight- ly overlap each other and form the head; these scale- like sepals correspond to the wings on the Fringed Polygala, the true petals and minutely crested keel being shorter and not visible from the outside. The small, stiff, acutely-pointed leaves are densely alter- nated on the stem up to the flower head. The plant grows from 6 to 12 inches high, and abounds through- out the U. S. CROSS-LEAVED MILKWORT (Polygala cruciata) has spatulate-shaped leaves arranged in fours around the stem, — cross-like. The stem is quite branchy, and grows from 4 to 14 inches high. At the end of each branch, seated within the four terminating leaves, is a dainty little, globular-, pink flower-head. Its construction is more open than that of the preced- ing species; the pink, sharply-pointed sepals do not hug closely together, but are slightly spread so that the tiny petals and stamens may be seen. The little heads bear considerable resemblance to tiny Red Clover blossoms. We find this species around the edges of swamps or in rather moist fields, from Me. to Minn, and southwards to the Gulf of Mexico. Both this species and the last have a long period of bloom; we may find their flowers from June until September. 13 SNOW-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN. Euphorbia marginata. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 1Q5 SPURGE FAMILY (Euphorbiaceae). This family contains a dozen different genera, all agreeing in that they have acrid, milky juices. SNOW-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN; WHITE-EDGED SPURGE (Euphorbia marginata) is a large bushy herb often cultivated because of its beautiful, white- margined foliage. The stem is very stout and branchy, and grows from 2 to 3 feet high. The leaves are dark green, large, ovate-pointed and seated on the stem; the lower ones are quite similar in shape to those of the common milkweed and are alternated on the stem; those near the end of the branches are crowded, opposite or whorled about the stem; the terminal ones have the edges of the leaves more or less widely margined with clear white. The flowers are rather small, grouped in clusters in the center of the terminal cluster of margined leaves. The staminate and pistillate flowers are on different plants. The involucre is five parted and has five white petals. When broken, both the leaves and stems exude quantities of a milky juice. This species of Spurge grows in dry soil from Minn, and Ohio west to Colo- rado, and is sometimes found in parts of the East where it has escaped from gardens. PAINTED LEAF (Euphorbia heterophylla) is a pe- culiar species found on rocky, woody slopes from Minn, southwards to Texas and in Fla. The stout, erect, branching, smooth stem grows from one to three feet high. The alternating leaves vary from ovate, sinuous-toothed, to lanceolate and smooth edg- ed. The ones crowded at the ends of the branches usually have red bases. The involucres in the ter- minal cluster are five-parted. CYPRESS SPURGE (Euphorbia Cyparissias) is an escape from gardens. It has very numerous, linear leaves, and a large terminal cluster of greenish-white flowers stained with russet-red. JEWELWEED; TOUCH-ME-NOT. Impatiens biflora. Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 197 JEWEL-WEED FAMILY (Balsaminaceae). JEWEL-WEED; SPOTTED TOUCH-ME-NOT (Jm- patiens biflora) is a common rank-growing herb with a stout, but fragile, branching stem. It has many pe- culiarities and a great many local names, all of which pertain to some of these peculiarities. Its most com- mon name of Jewel-weed is very appropriate, as the flowers certainly do resemble jeweled pendants hang- ing from the slender branches. The large, inflated sac, whi£h is really one of the three sepals, is orange- yellow, spotted with brown; it is longer than it is broad and has a sharply incurved spur about half the length of the sac. Two of these singular flowers droop from the ends of each thread-like peduncle, but only one flowers at a time. The slim seed-pod is the cause of two very com- monly applied names, — Touch-me-not and Snapweed. When nearly ripe, these pods can scarcely be touch- ed but