Part 15

The small tubular flower is 2-lipped; the narrow upper lip being 2-cleft, while the wider lower lip is 8-cleft, with its middle and largest lobe cut into 2 scallops. In texture the corolla is fine and thin, and in color it is a deep and strong purple-blue. The 4 stamens, and the pistil, are long, and curve out from the hollow of the upper lip,--they are bright blue, and their tips, at first a rich red, become white as they mature. The small 5-pointed calyx is reddish, with a fine green bloom. The flowers grow in close groups of 3 or 5, in the angles of the leaves, and form an irregular one-sided terminal spike.

This plant affords a perfect example of color-harmony, with its contrasting absolute purplish-blue corolla, and deep red stamens, brought into unity by the purple-toned green of its leaves. It has a strong and pungent scent.

[Illustration: HYSSOP: Hyssopus officinalis.]

*Self Heal.* _Brunella vulgaris._ *Heal All.* *Thimble-flower (Vt.)*

Found everywhere, among short grass, from July to September.

The stalk (from 6 to 12 inches high) is more or less reclining in habit; it is leafy, and branching slightly, thick, square, with grooves on its two opposite sides, tough-fibred, and smooth. In color, light green.

The leaf is long, oval with a tapering tip, a sparsely notched, or entire margin, and a smooth surface. Its growth, on short stems, is in pairs. Green in color.

The flower is irregularly 2-lipped, the upper lip hoodlike, and the lower 3-lobed, the middle lobe being largest and fringed on its edge. The color is violet, the hooded lip is generally darker than the other parts of the corolla; the buds are much deeper in color than the blossoms. The lower division of the 2-parted calyx has 2 long points; a broad heart-shaped bract supports its base; in color it is green with a violet tinge. The flowers grow in an elongated, or thimble-shaped head, on the end of the stalk, and from the angles of the upper leaves.

The clear violet of the corolla is brought into harmony with the leaf-green, through the violet tinted calyx which supplies the unifying color. The plant’s habit of growth is sprangling, for the stem, which seems strong-fibred in itself, is given to lopping weakly upon surrounding vegetation.

[Illustration: SELF HEAL: Brunella vulgaris.]

*Motherwort.* _Leonurus Cardiaca._

Found in blossom through July and August, on waste grounds around dwellings.

The large, stout, square stalk grows from 3 to 4 feet high; it branches, is very leafy, and of a dull purplish color.

The upper leaves, long and taper-pointed, are sharply notched, with 3 strong ribs; the lower leaves are more deeply cut, and broader than the upper ones, and are set on longer foot-stems. The texture is coarse, the surface soft-hairy, and the color dark green. The leaves grow near together, and point out in all directions, around the stalk.

The small 2-lipped flower has the upper lip slightly arched, and the lower one 3-lobed; there are 4 stamens under the hood of the upper lip; the outside of the corolla is covered with silky hairs; the color is a dull pink. The 5-pointed, green calyx becomes rigid, and bristling with age, and is persistent on the stalk after the flowers have disappeared. They grow in close whorls around the stalk at short intervals.

Motherwort is effective from the distance, with its many alert leaves, and close flower-whorls threaded on its long stalk; it is a favorite with the bees, and is cherished for their sakes by the beekeeper. It has been naturalized in this country from Europe--perhaps purely for the profit of the bee?

[Illustration: MOTHERWORT: Leonurus Cardiaca.]

*Wild Mint.* _Mentha Canadensis._

Found on moist banks, beside running water, commonly in the shade, from July to September.

The branching, leafy stalk is square, coarse-fibred, hairy, and about 1 or 2 feet in height. In color it is pale green, sometimes bronzy.

The long leaves are pointed at both ends (except the upper leaves, which are wider at the base), with notched margins, midribs prominent underneath, and a coarse texture, the upper surface being rough, while the underside is hairy; green. They are set on short stems, and grow in pairs, at opposite angles to each other.

The corolla of the very small flower is shaped like a 4-divided tube, the upper division being notched at its tip: it is white, or faintly tinged with pink or lavender; the hairy calyx is pale green, or pinky. The flowers are arranged in close rings about the stalk, in the angles of the upper leaves.

The scent of this plant resembles Pennyroyal, though less strong.

[Illustration: WILD MINT: Mentha Canadensis.]

*Spearmint.* _Mentha virides._

Found in old orchards and in upland pastures, by runnels, or wet hollows, during August.

The stalk (from 1 to 2 feet in height) bears branches in pairs; it is square, firm-fibred, and smooth. The color is green, with a purple tone.

The oval leaf, with its tapering, long tip, has a notched margin, is much veined, and is coarse in texture, while its surface is a trifle glossy. It has a strong aromatic flavor to the taste. In color it is green, showing the same red-purple of the stems at the ribs and margins. The leaves are set in pairs that spring at right angles to each other.

The very small tubular corolla is 4-divided, and dark lavender in color; the 5-parted calyx is green. The flowers are set in whorls about the stalk, with a space between each whorl,--beneath each ring of flowers, and supporting it in its place, are seen a pair of little purple-tinted bracts.

According to personal observation, the buds become dark purple in color on the south side of the stalk before those on the north side have lost their green. This is one of the nattiest of the Mints in growth, and is held in especial affection by children.

[Illustration: SPEARMINT: M. virides.]

*Peppermint.* _Mentha piperita._

Found along meadow runlets and brooks,--near clear water,--in August.

The branching, leafy stalk, from 12 to 15 inches high, is square, woody-fibred, smooth, and shining. It is a noticeably dark purple-tinted green, sometimes reddish.

The leaf is oval with a broad base and sharp tip, the margin is toothed, its ribs are noticeable, and texture thin, the under surface being slightly rough, although the upper is velvety; its color is green, toned with purple, which shows upon the upper side of the midrib and along the edge. The leaves are set on short purplish stems, and arranged in pairs, which grow at right angles to each other.

The very minute flower has a 2-lipped tubular corolla, the upper and lower lips being cleft, or faintly notched, in the middle; it is lavender, and so is the pale projecting pistil. The calyx is 5-parted, very slightly hairy, and green-purple in color. The flowers are arranged in compact whorls, and form a close, short, round, terminal spike.

Its pungent odor and taste are the most commonly noted traits of this Mint, but the rich-toned shining stalk is more worth observation.

[Illustration: PEPPERMINT: M. piperita.]

*American Pennyroyal.* _Hedeoma pulegioides._

Found, from July to September, in upland fields and pastures.

The sometimes branching stalk is slender, but strong in fibre; it grows from 5 to 10 inches high, and is hairy to the touch. Green in color.

The small leaf is long-pointed, with a slightly toothed margin, and somewhat roughened surface. It is medium green in color. The leaves, on slight stems, are set in pairs, which occur closely, and at right angles to each other.

The corolla of the very small flower consists of a downy 2-lipped tube, the upper lip being largest, flat, and notched at the tip, the lower 3-cleft; it is lavender in color. The small calyx is 5-parted. The flowers are set, on tiny stems, in rings about the stalk in the angles of the leaves, forming a terminal spine.

The perfume of the Pennyroyal is carried to a considerable distance,--were it not for this aromatic pungency the casual observer would often fail to find its haunt, so closely does it keep itself among the grasses of the pasture.

[Illustration: PENNYROYAL: Hedeoma pulegioides.]

*Hemp Nettle.* _Galeopsis Tetrahit._

Found in waste places, from July to September.

The stalk grows to be 1 or 2 feet high; it is branching, and 4-angled, and swollen beneath the joints; coarse in fibre, and thickly covered by stout bristle-like hairs. In color dark green, or dull purplish-red at the joints.

The long-pointed oval leaf is many ribbed, with a coarsely notched margin, thin but coarse texture, and roughened by hairs. Its color is dull green, lighter underneath. The leaves, on their hairy reddish stems, grow in pairs which spring at right angles to each other.

The small tubular corolla spreads into 2 divisions, the upper being erect and arched, the lower 3-cleft with a slightly heart-shaped middle lobe; its color is pink or lavender. The 4 stamens stand erect under the upper lip. The hairy, green calyx is bell-shaped, with 5 bristling points. The flowers are set (supported by tiny hairy bracts) in whorls, in the angles of the upper leaves.

A large variety, _G. grandiflora_, is often found in the same localities; the difference lies in the larger size of the corolla, which is clear white in color prettily marked with purple on its lower lip, and in the rounder shape of the calyx. Both plants are unpleasant to the touch because of their harsh bristle-like hairs.

[Illustration: HEMP NETTLE: Galeopsis Tetrahit.]

*Blue Curls.* _Trichostema dichotomum._

Found on dry sandy plains and in open fields, in September.

The branching, leafy, and erect stalk grows from 6 to 12 inches high; it is strong and woody-fibred, not noticeably square as is usual among the Mints, minutely hairy, and soft to the touch. Its color is green, reddish near the root.

The leaf is oval, with an entire margin, and is nearly smooth to the touch. It is green in color. The leaves, on short stems, grow in pairs. They are strong scented.

The corolla is irregular in shape; 5-lobed, 4 of which are equal in size, slightly pointed, and erect or bent slightly forward, while the remaining lobe is long, narrow, and down-curving; in color a deep violet-blue. The 4 stamens and the pistil are long, pale, or reddish-violet; the green calyx is 5-parted. The flowers are set on short stems from the ends of the branches.

The blossom opens in the early morning sunlight. At first the pistil and stamens extend beyond the flower in a long curve, but as the day advances their tips gradually draw inwards until they are brought into the throat of the corolla, and thus become the little blue curl which gives the plant its bye-name; by three o’clock of the afternoon the curl is completed and the flower falls. Its odor is strong, with a rank resemblance to the Pennyroyal.

[Illustration: BLUE CURLS: Trichostema dichotomum.]

POKEWEED FAMILY.

PHYTOLACCACEÆ.

*Pokeberry.* _Phytolacca decandra._ *Garget.* *Pigeon-berry.*

Found in meadows and waysides, from July to September.

A plant, from 5 to 9 feet high, with many branches and leaves; the stalk is stout, and large (from 1 to 2, or more, inches in diameter), and round; it is hard-fibred and smooth; in color a dull crimson.

The large leaf is oval, tapering to the tip, and set on a very short stem; the texture is exceedingly fine, and smooth, and the color a rather dark and grave green. The arrangement is alternate.

The small 5-parted flower is white, tinted on the outside with crimson; the seed-box in the center is green. The flowers, on short, pale crimson foot-stems, grow in elongated terminal clusters upon crimson stems.

The blossoms begin to open at the base of the cluster and continue upward, leaving behind the partly formed berries; when ripe they form a cluster of blue-black fruit, smooth-skinned, and with an abundant crimson juice. The Pokeberry is a plant of homely gesture and a rather strong odor, redeemed by its luxuriant growth, and the fine quality of its foliage. The berries are favorites of children who squeeze them to use their deep magenta-crimson juice for writing and painting and dyeing purposes.

[Illustration: POKEBERRY: Phytolacca decandra.]

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY.

POLYGONACEÆ.

*Red Sorrel.* _Rumex Acetosella._ *Sheep Sorrel.* *Horse Sorrel.*

Found everywhere in impoverished soil during May and June.

Many slender, leafy stems from 6 to 12 inches in height, and bearing flowers terminally, spring from a foot-tuffet of leaves.

The lower leaves are pointed, with long and flaring wing-like bases (“halberd-shape”); they are set on long grooved stems; the upper leaves are similar in shape, or Jack the winged bases, and are set on short stems. Their margins are entire and their texture is thick, juicy, and porous, with a smooth surface; gray-green in color. They are acid to the taste.

The very tiny flower has 6 petal-like parts, and many stamens, and is in color a bright yellow-green, turning to reddish- or crimson-tawny. The flowers are arranged irregularly on branching stems in a feathery spire.

Spreading by underground runners, the Red Sorrel colors the dry fields of early summer with its rich hues, and children love its fresh leaves for their tart flavor; but few give its feathery plumes their meed of praise, since it is nothing more than “a common weed.”

[Illustration: RED SORREL: Rumex Acetosella.]

*Tear-thumb.* _Polygonum sagittatum._

Found blossoming on swampy ground, and along ditches, from July to October.

The weak-fibred, 4-angled, stalk, armed on the angles with sharp saw-toothed prickles, that point downwards, is green in color.

The long arrow-shaped leaves have short foot-stems, and grow singly, at long intervals; they have entire edges, and a smooth surface, though the back of the midrib is set with small prickles; they are fine in texture, and of a dark green color.

The little 5-parted flowers, white, or rose colored, grow in small close heads, on the ends of smooth foot-stems, from the angles of the upper leaves.

The leaves are pretty in shape and color, though so far apart as to make small impression on the passer-by; the lopping stalk supports itself on the surrounding vegetation by means of its backward pointing prickles; it turns a russet-red in autumn. A shining, brown, 3-angled seed is developed within the long-lasting flower.

[Illustration: TEAR-THUMB: Polygonum sagittatum.]

*Knotweed.* _Polygonum Pennsylvanicum._

Found in barrens and waste places in August and September.

Branching much and sprawling in manner, this plant grows from 1 to 3 feet in height; it is jointed, noticeably shining, and smooth except for the new growths and flower-stems which are rough with hairs. Its color is green, somewhat red at the joints, which are covered loosely by sheaths of a coarse weak fabric.

The leaf is long-pointed at each end, and roughened by hairs on the ribs, edges, and upper surface; the texture is flimsy, and the color a crude green. The arrangement is alternate.

The small and inconspicuous flowers are 5-parted, and vary from pink to green-white in color; they are tightly and irregularly bunched in a terminal club-shaped spike, with a little leaf at its base--frequently a second bunch of flowers occurs a little lower down the stem.

Found commonly in great masses the plant serves to hide the ugly remnants man casts into the fields it chooses for its habitation.

[Illustration: KNOTWEED: P. Pennsylvanicum.]

*----* _Polygonum amphibium._

Found in swamps in September and October.

The single stem, 3 or 4 inches high, bears a few leaves, and is large, round, hollow, and juicy; a dull-reddish-green color, that is dark near the foot.

The leaf (varying from 2 to 5 inches in length) is oblong with a pointed tip and wedge- or heart-shaped base, an entire margin, and prominent midrib; it has a thin, leathery texture, and a very smooth shining surface; in color it is dark green, much toned with dull red, the midrib lighter. The leaves, on short stout stems, clasp the stalk with a dry, red-brown sheath enfolding the joint; they are placed alternately.

The flowers are 5-parted, the tips of the divisions seldom spreading, of a bright rose-pink, coarse hue. They are gathered in a close club, set on a short, terminal, green stem.

The lower of the three or four leaves float upon the surface of the water or lie on the mud of this plant’s miry home.

[Illustration: ---- P. amphibium.]

BIRTHWORT FAMILY.

ARISTOLOCHIACEÆ.

*Wild Ginger.* _Asarum Canadense._

Found in rich soil in woodlands, blossoming during May.

The very short stalk barely shows above the ground; it is large and stout and fibrous, bearing two or three sheaths and terminating in the flower, and the leaf-stems which are from 4 to 8 inches in length.

The large wide leaf is heart-shaped or rounded, with an entire margin, and strongly marked by the ribs and veins; the upper surface is velvety to the touch, while it is rough and woolly underneath, and the color is a strong green, whitish beneath. The stem is stout, erect, and slightly woolly. Two or three leaves only are borne on the summit of the stalk.

The flower has no petals; the calyx is shaped like a deep, round cup, 3-parted at the top, with curling margins. It is coarse and firm in texture, with a hairy surface; the outside dull purplish, the divisions reddish-brown or bronze, and the inside of the cup creamy white curiously marked in the bottom by a hexagonal design in purple; the 12 stamens are gathered close about the 6-parted pistil. The single flower is set on a short, bristly stem, that springs from between the leaves, and turns downward, the blossom resting its face upon the earth and burying itself so carefully in the leaf mold that only search reveals it.

Later in the season the leaves attain a considerable size, four or five inches across; they are always decorative in shape and color. The root is aromatic, and sharp to the taste,--whence the folk-name.

[Illustration: WILD GINGER: Asarum Canadense.]

LAUREL FAMILY.

LAURACEÆ.

*Spice-bush.* _Lindera Benzoin._ *Fever-bush.* *Benjamin-bush.* *Wild Allspice.*

Found flowering in April in damp soil and light shade.

A branching, slender shrub from 4 to 12 feet in height, of a woody fibre which is rather easily broken. The bark is smooth and firm, slightly glossy, and gray-brown, inclining to reddish when young.

The leaf is broad oval in shape, with a sharp tip, and set on a short stem; the margin is entire, the texture thick and tough, and the color is a rich dark green, paler underneath. The arrangement of the leaves is alternate, and they succeed the flowers in unfolding.

The flowers, small and indeterminate in shape, are thin and fragile in texture, and greenish, or lemon-yellow in color; they have 6 narrow petal-like parts, and many fine yellow stamens, with bright orange tips. They are set on little foot-stems, in small clusters within the protecting grasp of two pairs of small temporary envelopes, the outer pair golden brown and bark-like, the inner resembling the flower. These little clusters occur close together all along the branches.

Blossoming amidst the gray woods of the early spring this golden odorous shrub is a delightful surprise. The little leaf-bud is seen pushing its way forth from between the flower-clusters before the blossoms are fairly spread.

[Illustration: SPICE-BUSH: Lindera Benzoin.]

MEZEREUM FAMILY.

THYMELÆACEÆ.

*Leatherwood.* _Dirca palustris._ *Moosewood.*

Found in light moist woodlands in April.

A shrub, from 2 to 4, or 5, feet in height, branching in an angular fashion; the smooth close bark is very flexible and tough, gray-brown, and slightly shining, dotted with lighter color.

The oval leaf is entire, strong-fibred, and smooth, and set on a very short stem. The arrangement is generally alternate, and the color a full green.

The small tubular flower, with slightly notched edges, and a thin texture, is of a beautiful golden yellow color; the 8 orange-tipped stamens and the pistil hang from the mouth of the tube. The flowers droop in small clusters from the hold of three or four bracts which are beautifully smooth and green on the inside, and thickly covered with a fine purplish down on the outside; they are set irregularly along the branches.

It is stated in Gray’s _Manual_ there are as many temporary bracts as there are flowers, but no hard and fast rule is observed in nature in such details; according to personal observation 4 is the usual number. These bracts fall as soon as the leaves push forth. It is noted that the flowers lose their color as the leaf-buds swell, although they do not wither until the leaves are unrolling. The bark is so elastic and tough that a knot may be tied, without its breaking, in a stem as big as the little finger. The first glimpse of this gray bush strung with its golden jewels and never a trace of green about its branches, gives a pleasure akin to the more spiritual delight of beholding the Wych Hazel which occupies the same place in nature at the other end of the flower year.

[Illustration: LEATHERWOOD: Dirca palustris.]

SWEET-GALE FAMILY.

MYRICACEÆ.

*Sweet-fern.* _Myrica asplenifolia._

Found in April, on dry uplands and along copse borders.

A tough-fibred bush, from 1 to 2 feet high, with many low branches, very leafy, the bark rough, and reddish, or when old covered by a gray bloom.

The long narrow leaf is cut to the midrib into many narrow and irregular lobes, with an entire or slightly notched margin, and a thin texture; the surface is smooth above, and rough underneath; the color a cool strong green. The leaves are set on short foot-stems, placed irregularly and close together. They come following after the flower catkins.

The pistil-bearing flowers gathered in an inconspicuous crimson cluster, like a scrubby little paint brush, and the stamen-bearing flowers, borne in the form of a slender green and brown catkin, are often found on the same plant; they grow close to the ends of the stalk in small groups.

After the blossom season is over, the plant puts forth its thick foliage, and so flavors the air from earliest spring till near midwinter, with the sweet aroma which belongs to both leaf and flower. Though not evergreen, the dried leaves often cling to the bushes until the new growth displaces them. This is a genuine New England colonist of our sterile pasture hills, growing in large clumps and groups with hardy persistence.

[Illustration: SWEET FERN: Myrica asplenifolia.]

ORCHIS FAMILY.

ORCHIDACEÆ.

*Gay Orchis.* _Orchis spectabilis._ *Showy Orchis.* *Spring Orchis.*

Found in May, in deep wet woods.

The large, single, flower-stalk reaches about 6 inches in height, and springs from between a pair of root-leaves; it is smooth and elastic. Pale green in color.

The root-leaves are long (sometimes about 6 inches), broadly oval, blunt at the tip, tapering into a grooved foot; the margin is entire (as is true of all Orchids), the texture thick, and leathery. The upper side of the leaf is dull green, underside it is silvery with bloom. The leaves which occur along the flower-spike are long-pointed, erect, clasping, and alternate.

The lip of the flower is large, and spreading, with a flattened spur which is largest at the tip, and as long as the foot-stem; other petals small, club-shaped, and bent over like a hood; the calyx parts stand erect, their tips pointed. All parts of the flower are leathery, and thick in texture; and colored a pale pink-violet, except the lip, which is waxen white, tinted with yellow. It is set on a short, twisted foot-stem, in the clasp of a leaf-like bract. The arrangement is alternate, in a few-flowered spike.

This is a noticeably lustreless flower. The twist in the foot-stem is an interesting feature.

[Illustration: GAY ORCHIS: Orchis spectabilis.]

*Pink Lady’s Slipper.* _Cypripedium acaule._ *Whip-poor-will.*