Part 13

The flower is large; its oval lobes are very much reversed, and colored a clear light green; the crown tubes are broad, short, and notched at their tips; the horns are long and needle-pointed, they curve, and meet together in the center; these parts are all ivory white, while the little calyx is green. The flowers nod and droop on long, slender, pale foot-stems that hang in a loose cluster on a stout thick stem, which springs from the angle of a side leaf.

Sometimes the plant bears more than one of these flower-clusters; it is the most delicate of our common Milkweeds, exceeding even the Four-leaved in fineness, and the ivory white of its flower crown is remarkable for its clarity of hue.

[Illustration: POKE MILKWEED: A. phytolaccoides.]

*Butterfly Weed.* _Asclepias tuberosa._ *Orange Milkweed.* *Pleurisy Root.*

Found in dry pastures and fields in July.

The stalk branches often for the flowers; it is leafy, and grows from 2 to 3 feet high, with a strong fibre, its surface is hairy and its color is a strong green, purplish near the foot, and red-orange below the flower-clusters. The juice is not milky.

The long narrow leaf is somewhat blunt-pointed at the tip and heart-shaped at the base, with an entire margin, and a strong midrib; its fibre is strong and coarse, the veins showing, and it is hairy underneath and downy above; the color is a full green, much toned with orange. The leaves are set on short stems, and placed near together, alternately, and with an upward inclination.

The flower is small and long; the crown is set up high on its slender neck, its hoods short and narrow, and yet somewhat longer than the fine-pointed straight horns,--in color a splendid glowing orange; the narrow, fine-pointed lobes are slightly curling, and bright yellow; the calyx is unobservable. The flowers are set on slender, rather long, light green foot-stems, forming a loose flat-topped cluster; the clusters being arranged in a leafy terminal group.

As many as eighteen clusters have been counted upon a single stalk. The color scheme of this plant is especially good; the green betrays the same tawny tone which belongs to the gorgeous flowers.

[Illustration: BUTTERFLY WEED: A. tuberosa.]

*Common Milkweed.* _Asclepias Cornuti._

Found in meadows and roadsides, from June to August.

The large, round, and tough-fibred stalk, which grows from 3 to 4 feet high, has a sticky and milky juice, is minutely downy, and pale green.

The leaf is often very large (from 4 to 8 inches long), oval, rounded at both ends, with an entire and somewhat wavy margin, and a large midrib; it is thick in texture, smooth above, but a little downy beneath, and grayish-green in color, the underside being silvery,--the wide midrib is light, or often tinged with dull red.

The flower is rather large; the crown is brownish-pink, the lobes light flesh-pink or pale lilac, and the foot-stems are pinkish. The flower-clusters are large, round, and drooping; they spring from the angles of the upper leaves.

Though regarded as a “weed” this Milkweed has many attractive features.

* * * * *

The seed-pods of the Milkweeds are most interesting; rough on the outside, they are beautifully finished within, with a fine, smooth, light lining. The silky plumes of the flat-brown seeds are closely folded together and the seeds lie overlapping like the scales of a fish. The light green outside of the Butterfly-Weed pod, tinged with crimson-tawny, becomes with age a fine tree-trunk gray. In some varieties a likeness to a dove may be found in the inverted pod.

[Illustration: COMMON MILKWEED: A. Cornuti.]

GENTIAN FAMILY.

GENTIANACEÆ.

*Fringed Gentian.* _Gentiana crinita._

Found in fields, pastures, and along wayside thickets, frequently where it is damp; coming into bloom late in August and continuing until middle October or later.

The stalk, which branches for the flowers, grows usually from 6 inches to 2 feet in height, and is somewhat square near the blossoms, and sometimes twisted; it is grooved, smooth and shining, and light green, tempered with bronze.

The leaf is heart-shaped at the base, tapering sharply to a long-pointed tip, slightly creased on the midrib, with an entire margin, and thin smooth texture. In color it is light green. The leaves clasp the stalk in pairs, which occur at right angles to each other.

The corolla is a deep vase shape spreading at the top into 4 fringed lobes which curve like shells; of a delicate thin texture, and satin smooth surface, in color an evasive azure, impossible to describe, varying from pale to deep (sometimes reddish tinted), and marked upon the outside with fine lines of darker blue. The 4-parted calyx is pinched into 4 angles at its base, and is a light yellow-green color, its long, sharp tips sometimes bronzy. The flowers are set on short, and long, leafy stems; in groups, or singly.

Though often low, and bearing but one flower, it is not uncommon to find a single tall stalk adorned with a dozen or two of blossoms, and a reliable observer reports having found plants 5 feet in stature, and bearing upwards of a hundred flowers and buds apiece! This remarkable luxuriance could only have occurred in some solitary mountain glen unknown to the gentian-hunter, who, between greedy admiration of its beauty and ignorance of its habits, is doing his best to exterminate the plant. The seeds are exceedingly capricious in their choice of a home, and refuse to germinate when garden-sown. For the æsthetic pleasure also it is best not to pluck them; their charm loses its subtlety when carried into civilized environments--the spirit of their loveliness escapes imprisonment.

[Illustration: FRINGED GENTIAN: Gentiana crinita.]

*Blind Gentian.* _Gentiana Andrewsii._ *Closed Gentian.*

Found in rich woodlands and pastures, blossoming in September and October.

The single leafy stalk, from 1 foot to 18 inches in height, is round, stout, smooth, and green.

The leaf is large (from 2 to 4 inches long), usually bread oval in shape, tapering to the tip, with an entire margin, and a thick texture; the surface is smooth, and the color a rich green that is frequently weather-worn and rusty. The leaves are set in pairs upon the stalk.

The flower is like a closed bud which never opens, an inflated club-shape from 1 to 1 and ½ inches in length; the corolla is a dark purple-blue color, growing lighter near the base, and in its folds; the 5-parted calyx is more or less green. The flowers are gathered together in a close cluster of four or five, upon the summit of the stalk, amidst the numerous green leaves.

The color of the closed gentian, being low and rich in tone rather than brilliant, loses greatly in value when gathered and fetched into the subdued light of the house.

[Illustration: BLIND GENTIAN: G. Andrewsii.]

BORAGE FAMILY.

BORRAGINACEÆ.

*Forget-me-not.* _Myosotis palustris._ *Mouse-ear.*

Found in moist meadows, and by brooks and runnels, flowering in June and July.

The large, somewhat square stalk, from 9 to 20 inches in height, is branching and leafy, rather roughish of surface, with short rootlets starting out on its sides, and light green. It supports itself upon surrounding vegetation.

The leaf, 2 or 3 inches long, is oval with a blunt tip, and partly clasping the stalk; its surface roughened with fine hairs, and it is light green in color.

The small 5-lobed flower is about a quarter of an inch across; its corolla is very fine and even in texture, in color light blue (occasionally pink) with a center of harmonious yellow; the calyx is small, 5-parted, and green. The buds are pinkish. The flowers grow in curving, one-sided, terminal clusters,--sometimes from the angles of the upper leaves.

This is one of the few true blue flowers of our flora; its color is pure and opaque, like that of a turquoise, or a fine enamel, and falls into harmony with the yellow of the center through an exquisite gradation of color. The plant remains in flower a long time, continually forming new buds, and leaving behind the little empty green calyx-cups on its ever-lengthening stem. The blossom of the wild plant is larger than that usually cultivated in the gardens; it is easily propagated by means of cuttings.

[Illustration: FORGET-ME-NOT: Myosotis palustris.]

*Blue Weed.* _Echium vulgare._ *Viper’s Bugloss.* *Blue Thistle (Vt.).*

Found in July, in pastures chiefly, though occasionally straying along country roads.

The stalk, from 3 to 4 or 5 feet in height, is large, and strong; it is branching with short stems which diminish as they near the top; the fibre is coarse, it is roughened with hairs, and its light green color is frequently dotted with rusty-purple freckles.

The lower leaves are very long and narrow, occasionally cut or rudely notched on the edge, while the pointed upper leaves are entire; the texture is coarse, and rough to the touch; the color is green. The arrangement is alternate.

The flower is an irregular vase-shape, spreading into 5 rounding divisions of unequal length, with a very small, green, 5-parted calyx; the corolla is a bright deep blue, the 4 stamens and the pistil are rose-colored. Several flowers are set in a single row along the upper side of a short stem, which is coiled tightly at first, but straightens itself as the rose-colored buds expand. Many of these stems form a large and conspicuous terminal spike; and singly grow from the upper branches.

It is a pity this striking plant should have invaded the farmers’ pastures in such bold colonies as to be reckoned by him a pest, and so uprooted, for absolute blue flowers are rare. It deserves especial regard because of its unusual color combination of ultramarine and rose. The “spotted stem made men once think it efficacious for cure of viper’s bites, and its seeds, shaped like a viper’s head, confirmed the notion.”

[Illustration: BLUE WEED: Echium vulgare.]

CONVOLVULUS FAMILY.

CONVOLVULACEÆ.

*Upright Convolvulus.* _Convolvulus spithamæus._

Found in June, growing on dry and sandy places, in the open.

The stalk is seldom over 10 inches in height, single, leafy, and erect; it is round, and downy with small hairs. Pale green in color, but red near the foot.

The leaf is between 1 and 2 inches in length, oblong, with taper tip, and a narrow heart-shaped base; it is folded slightly on the midrib; all the ribs show plainly, the margin is entire, and the surface is roughened by hairs; in color a full green, somewhat lighter underneath, with a pinkish tint along the edge and the midrib. It is set on a short, downy, reddish stem. The arrangement is alternate.

The flower is large; the corolla a beautiful vase shape with a rolling, slightly 5-angled rim, in texture fine and thin, the outside of the throat shining; within the vase, at the bottom, may be seen 5 deep pits; it is of a pure and exquisite white, toned to creamy-green near the calyx; the 5 stamens are cream colored while the 2-tipped pistil is white. The greenish calyx is 5-parted with small pointed divisions which are almost concealed by the 2 longer, pale green bracts that clasp together closely about its throat. The flower is set on a rather large, flat, downy, pale stem which rises from the angle of a leaf. The plant bears but few flowers.

Far less common than the Bindweed this flower must be reckoned a treasure-trove by its finder. Its texture is so thin that the calyx-color glows within the throat of the vase with a golden green effulgence.

[Illustration: UPRIGHT CONVOLVULUS: Convolvulus spithamæus.]

*Hedge Bindweed.* _Convolvulus sepium._

Blossoming along the roadside and in the meadow in June and July.

This twining leafy vine, climbing over low shrubbery, has a round, smooth, light green stem.

The broad arrow-shaped leaf is from 2 to 3 inches in length, tapering at the tip, and set on a long foot-stem; the surface is smooth, and the color a grayish-green.

The large funnel-shaped flower is about 2 inches broad and from 2 to 3 inches long; the spreading top is obscurely 5-sided, and singularly fine and delicate in texture, and of a pale shell-pink or white color; the stamens and a 2-divided white pistil are visible within the tube; the 5 pale-green parts of the calyx are nearly enfolded by two larger shell-shaped bracts.

The Bindweed blossoms luxuriantly along the edge of cultivated grounds, and often runs in among the crops to such an extent as to be deemed a pest by the farmer. Though it is the flower of the morning, on cool gray days it frequently remains in bloom late Into the afternoon.

[Illustration: HEDGE BINDWEED: C. sepium.]

*Dodder.* _Cuscuta Gronovii._

Blossoming from August to October in low, damp, and shady ground.

A parasite, climbing high on other plants by winding its smooth, round, bright orange stems closely about their stalks, and growing to them by many sharp little suckers.

There are no leaves, for the vine, stealing its food from honest workers, has no use for them.

The small, broad bell-shaped flower spreads at the top into 5 short divisions; the corolla is of a dull white color, and the inconspicuous calyx greenish-white. The flowers are crowded in thick humps, at short intervals along the twisting stems.

The globular seed-box begins soon to swell within the flower, and develops while the blossoming still goes on. The Dodder starts at first, like an honest plant, from the ground, but as soon as it finds a convenient plant to tap, it breaks its connection with the earth, and wraps itself closely about its victim.

[Illustration: DODDER: Cuscuta Gronovii.]

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY.

SOLANACEÆ.

*Nightshade.* _Solanum Dulcamara._

Found in flower in June and July in moist grounds.

The stalk, erect at first, branches and takes to climbing later; it is nearly smooth, and quite tough, with a strong, coarse odor; green.

The leaves, from 2 to 3 inches long, are somewhat variable in shape, the lower ones being heart-shaped, while the upper ones are deeply cut at the base into 2 long narrow lobes; they taper at the tip, and are on short foot-stems (about 1 inch long); coarse in texture; dark green.

The 5-pointed star-shaped corolla is of a deep purple color, with a yellow cone, made of 5 stamens, in the center; the calyx is small, bell-shaped and 5-notched; brownish-green. The flowers, on short curving foot-stems, hang in loosely branching clusters from the angles of the leaves.

The oval berry ripening, in August and September, is bright red, while those of the _Deadly_ Nightshade are blue-black. Its coarse odor betrays its kinship to the potato plant.

[Illustration: NIGHTSHADE: Solanum Dulcamara.]

FIGWORT FAMILY.

SCROPHULARIACEÆ.

*Common Lousewort.* _Pedicularis Canadensis._ *Beefsteak Plant.*

Found on roadside banks, and in dry copses, during May.

Several flower-bearing, leafy, stout stems, 6 to 10 inches high, spring from a foot tuffet of leaves.

The foot-leaves are large and long, and set on long, wide, grooved, hairy stems; the stem leaves taper at each end, and are at first set on short stems, and above clasping; all the leaves are often and regularly cut like a feather, a resemblance increased by the finely toothed margin; with strong midribs, coarse texture, and shining surfaces. The color is dark green, the lower leaves dashed with red-purple, the stems being also red-purple. The leaves occur alternately, and not near together, along the stems.

This curious flower is 2-lipped: the upper is flat and curved, with a two-pronged tip, the lower is 3-lobed, the edges curled inward; their surface shining; the upper lip is a dark purplish-red, the lower, pale yellow, while the throat is reddish. The pistil pushes out between the prongs of the upper lip. The deep and somewhat square calyx is parted beneath the lower lip; it is of a coarse, and hairy aspect, and colored light green, edged with dark red. The flowers, set close, in the hold of little bract-like leaves, are arranged spirally, in a round terminal spike.

As the fresh blossoms climb upward the spike lengthens and becomes club-shaped. The withered flowers cling long after their color has faded; when newly opened, they are all yellow, their beak-like upper lips only faintly flushed with the red, which, presently, assumes so sanguinary a hue that there is some occasion for the waggery of the local folk-name of “Beefsteak Plant.”

[Illustration: COMMON LOUSEWORT: Pedicularis Canadensis.]

*Wood Betony.* _Pedicularis lanceolata._ *Lousewort.*

Found in swampy places during August and September.

The sometimes branching stalk, from 1 to 2 or 8 feet in height, is round, shining, and generally smooth, or with an occasional roughness. Light green in color.

The long oval leaf is cut into oblong divisions, and the margin is finely toothed, which increases its resemblance to a fern leaf; the strong ribs show plainly, and the color is pale green, inclining to yellow. The leaves, on short stems, are placed in pairs, which point at right angles to each other.

The corolla has a curious one-sided look, because the curving beak-like upper lip closes so tightly down upon the 3-lobed under lip as to push it askew; its color is a pale and somewhat muddy yellow. The 2-parted calyx is deep, and the tips spread; it is green. The flowers are set within the hold of little curved and notched leaves like bracts, in pairs, forming a terminal spike.

Only two or three flowers bloom at one time, and the withered corollas cling long to the calices, which gives an untidy appearance to the plant. The leaf and calyx are decorative in growth.

[Illustration: WOOD BETONY: P. lanceolata.]

*Indian Paint-brush.* _Castilleia coccinea._ *Painted Cup.*

Found in June, growing in low grounds, and wet meadows.

The single, leafy stalk rises from a cluster of root-leaves; it is 8 to 10 inches in height, somewhat square-angled, and hollow, of a tough, rather course fibre, with a hairy surface. Color, dull crimson, the short hairs being gray or white.

The root-leaves are oblong, seldom notched; on the stalk the lowest leaves are narrow, while above they are wedge-shaped and generally deeply cleft into 3 lobes; the margins are entire, and the surface is hairy. In color a light clear green; the ends of the upper leaves and those which supports the flowers look as though they had been dipped in a scarlet dye. The leaves all sit immediately upon the stalk; they are placed alternately, and at some distance apart, but more crowded among the flowers.

The small corolla of the flower is tubular and 2-lipped, yellow and green in color; it is almost concealed within the long cylindrical 2-cleft calyx, which is colored a clear light green with a scarlet margin. The long curving pistil is green tinted. The flowers are set in the clasp of the upper leaves, and form a close terminal cluster.

Quite eclipsed by the gorgeous hues of the floral leaves and calices, the paler flower hides its head, its long pistil alone claiming attention. The exact marking of the vivid scarlet upon the tips makes the folk-name “Paintbrush” more applicable to its general aspect, than that of “Painted Cup,” which of course only applies to the effect of the single calyx. In some localities the color is not scarlet, but yellow, it is reported. The plant is called a parasite by the botanists: it therefore may not be transplanted but glows in splendid patches of color in favorite camps of its own choosing.

[Illustration: INDIAN PAINT-BRUSH: Castilleia coccinea.]

*Thyme-leaved Speedwell.* _Veronica serpyllifolia._ *Paul’s Betony.*

Found, from May to July, in grassy fields, and along roadsides.

Many branches, varying from 3 to 7 inches in length, spring from the root, and lie on the ground (sometimes rooting so), their tips lifted erect among the grass blades; its growth is slender, leafy, firm of fibre, and smooth. Color green.

The small leaf is oval, with an entire, or slightly irregular, margin, prominent midrib, and smooth surface. In color, a cool green; the leaves, on short stems, are placed in pairs, near together,--at the end of the branch they become crowded.

The corolla is small, and resembles that of the Brooklime; delicate in texture and in color pure white, or streaked with lavender, or blue. The points of the 4-parted green calyx just show between the lobes of the flower. The two stamens are lavender tipped. The flowers, on small foot-stems, spring from the angles of the leaves for a considerable distance along the ends of the branches.

Contrary to the usual habit of the Speedwells these flowers do not fall immediately after they are picked.

[Illustration: THYME-LEAVED SPEEDWELL: Veronica serpyllifolia.]

*American Brooklime.* _Veronica Americana._

Found by roadside runlets, and meadow brooks, in June and July.

The rather large stalk, sometimes creeps and then lifts itself to the height of 10 or 15 inches; it is hollow, juicy, and fine-fibred, and smooth. Pale green in color.

The long, oval leaf has a grooved midrib and slightly notched margin; it is juicy, and smooth. In color light green. The leaves, on short broad flat stems, that clasp the stalk, are placed in pairs, at right angles to each other.

The little circular corolla is cut into 4 scallops, of which 3 are round-pointed and of equal size, while the fourth is narrower and a trifle longer; the texture is delicate. The color is very pretty, a lavender-blue with slightly darker markings,--the center is white; the 2 stamens are pale purple. The calyx is 4-parted, the divisions narrow and pointed; green. The flowers, set on thread-stems, are placed in little, loose, terminal spires.

A first cousin to the Speedwell of English poetry. These tiny blossoms fall almost as soon as they open their pretty blue eyes, therefore let the observer rest content, without trying to pluck the tender stalks.

[Illustration: AMERICAN BROOKLIME: V. Americana.]

*Common Speedwell.* _Veronica officinalis._ *Upland Speedwell.*

Found in dry uplands and light woods in June and July.

The leafy stalk lies along the ground, with the flower-stems rising from it; it is round, downy, and tough. In color green.

The oval leaf, broad and rounded at the tip, tapers at the base into an exceedingly short stem: the edge is notched, and the surface downy. The leaves are set in pairs, and are of a rather light green color.

The small 4-parted flower shows the mark of the Speedwells in the inequality of the divisions, the lower one being much narrower than the other three. There are two stamens, a pistil, and a small green 4-parted calyx. The flowers are closely set on slender spires, rising from the angles of the leaves. Their color is a light lavender, lined with a darker tone.

The flat, heart-shaped pods ripen on the lower part of the spire while the upper part continues to bloom; the flowers speed quickly away,--with a glance, almost, they are gone, so lightly are they held in their green cups.

[Illustration: COMMON SPEEDWELL: V. officinalis.]

*Mullein.* _Verbascum Thapsus._ *High Taper.* *Candlewick.*

Found on dry, sandy soil, in fields, and among rocks, from June to September.

The single, leafy stalk rises from a foot-tuffet, to the height of 3 or 4 feet, usually, although it varies considerably; it is round, stout, and tough-fibred, covered with wool, which tempers the green and makes it whitey in tone.

The large (from 6 to 12 inches long) foot-leaves have very prominent ribs which show chiefly underneath, entire margins, and are thick, like a blanket with a very woolly surface; the stalk leaves are smaller, and more pointed, and are attached to the stalk for a part of their length,--they are otherwise like the large leaves. In color a whitish green.