Part 3

The most important feature of this plant is the seed; as the bloom moves upward it leaves behind a long stretch of maturing seed-pods, like little flat discs with a tiny notch at the top; a pungent flavor belongs to these pods, which is found acceptable by the cosmopolitan palate of childhood.

[Illustration: PEPPERGRASS: Lepidium Virginicum.]

ROCK-ROSE FAMILY.

CISTACEÆ.

*Rock-Rose.* _Helianthemum Canadense._ *Frost Weed.*

Found in bloom during June on dry open hillsides and pastures.

The slightly branching, leafy stalk, which grows from 12 to 15 inches high, is woody-fibred, and slender, and rough to the touch with short stiff hairs; it is red or tawny in color.

The long narrow oval leaf is pointed at both ends; its edge is slightly rolled under, and the ribs are prominent and rough beneath; the texture is strong-fibred, and the surface is rough; its green is tawny. The leaves are set on short stems, with a pair of wings (“stipules”) at the junction with the stalk, and occur alternately.

The 5-petaled flower is shaped like a shallow cup of very fine and thin texture and a clear vigorous yellow color, which is in good harmony with the many orange-tipped stamens; the 5-pointed calyx is hairy, and its green is toned with tawny.

A very individual trait of this flower is the fact that the stamens almost always gather together to one side of the pistil, lying flat upon a petal, caused by the rude touch of a passing insect, it is said, so sensitive is this charming plant,--a quality further manifested by the swift fall of its petals if plucked. The flower never lasts more than a single day, and but few blossoms are borne on a plant. This is the first flowering of the Rock-Rose; though ripening the seeds now formed, there comes a second bloom in the fall whose blossoms are very small, with few or no petals, clustered in the angles of the leaves, and bearing but a few seeds. “Generally called ‘Beauties of the Sun’ by the ancients,--‘Sun-roses’ by the English folk.”

[Illustration: ROCK-ROSE: Helianthemum Canadense.]

VIOLET FAMILY.

VIOLACEÆ.

*Sweet White Violet.* _Viola blanda._

Found in swamps, by roadside runnels, and in moist meadows, in April.

The leaves and flowers, on stems 4 or 5 inches in height, grow from the root.

The leaf is a round heart-shape, with a toothed margin, fine strong fibre, and smooth surface; in color, a light yellowish-green. The stem is slender.

The flower is small in all parts, the spur not conspicuous, the 5 petals much recurved and white, veined on the lower petal by reddish-violet hair-lines. It is set on a slender pale stem.

This is one of the earliest Violets, sweet-scented and graceful in growth.

[Illustration: SWEET WHITE VIOLET: Viola blanda.]

*Arrow-Leaved Violet.* _Viola sagittata._ *Upland Violet.*

Found in upland pastures in May.

The leaves and flowers, from the roots, are set on very short stems.

The leaf is arrow-shaped, with a blunt tip and slightly heart-shaped base; the margin is minutely notched, the upper surface, particularly, is softly downy, and the color is green, with a slight grayish bloom. The stem is flattened on its upper side and furnished with narrow margins.

The side-petals of the small flower are bearded, and the spur is small; the corolla is violet; the stem is hairy.

A small Violet, which grows close to the ground on high pastures, and puts forth few demands upon our attention.

[Illustration: ARROW-LEAVED VIOLET: V. sagittata.]

*Downy Yellow Violet.* _Viola pubescens._

Found in woods and moist shade, in May.

The branching, leafy, slightly angular stalk is shining near the foot, but hairy above, and grows from 5 to 12 inches high. It is light green. Near the foot a small sheathing leaf may be observed.

The leaf is large, usually broader than it is long, and varying in form from a round-pointed to a sharp-pointed shape; its ribs show plainly underneath, its margin is slightly notched, and the surface is soft and downy to the touch; in color, a clear green, lighter underneath. The leaves, on their long, grooved stems, grow alternately, with a pair of up-pointing little wings at the joint.

The lower petal of the flower is scoop-shaped, shallow and short, and notched into two scallops at the tip, with a very short spur; the 4 other petals are rounding and nearly equal in size. In color, a pure golden-yellow, with many dark markings on the lower petal, and fainter lines on the others. The single flowers grow on slender stems from the angles of the leaves.

The branches are wide-spreading, and the flower-stem springs away from the leaves with a decided gesture, nor does the Yellow Violet bend its head; the leaves are generally flat in manner of growth save for the little scoop at the stem. A few separate leaves on independent stems rise about the foot of the flowering stalk. This plant bears a profusion of blossoms, and continues to flower for a considerable time.

[Illustration: DOWNY YELLOW VIOLET: V. pubescens.]

*Canada Violet.* _Viola Canadensis._

Found in May, and again less profusely in August, in forests and woodlands to the north, or in high regions.

The branching, leafy stalk varies from 6 inches to 2 feet in height; it is smooth to the touch. Light green in color.

The heart-shaped leaf with its tapering point has a strong midrib, a slightly notched and wavy margin, and a thin, firm texture; it is a clear green color. The leaves, on stems, grow alternately, with a pair of little wings at the stalk; they are gathered close at the ends of the branches.

The small flower has an inconspicuous spur, its lower broadest petal is pinched sharply together in the middle at the edge, the other 4 petals are all long oval, the side petals are bearded and flaring, while the upper two turn back. The texture of the petals is fine and thin. This is a two-colored flower--the face of the corolla is white, while the outside is lavender or dark rich violet; the heart of the blossom is yellow-tinged, and its markings are in bluish-lavender lines. The 5-parted green calyx is possessed of a violet lining which it displays to the world by daintily turning back its uppermost tip. The flowers, on stems, spring from the angles of the leaves.

Sometimes the lavender facing of the petals is betrayed by a faint tinge of the color showing through their thin texture. This is an odorous Violet, and particularly pretty, with a kindly habit of blossoming a second time in the late summer,--a not uncommon custom in the family, but followed by no other member with such regularity and generosity of bloom.

[Illustration: CANADA VIOLET: V. Canadensis.]

*Running Violet.* _Viola canina, var. Muhlenbergii._ *Dog Violet.*

Found in May and June in light woods and along shady roads.

The small, round, leafy stems, from 3 to 7 inches high, are at first upright, but later send out creeping branches; they are smooth, and pale green.

The small leaf is rounding, and heart-shaped at the base, sometimes slightly pointed at the tip; the margin is faintly notched, the surface smooth, and the color light yellowish-green. The leaves, on short stems, are arranged in pairs, with long-pointed wings at the joint.

The flower is small; its spur rather long, the two side-petals bearded, and the color of the corolla pale violet, running into white at the base of the petals, the lower one being marked with fine lines of dark Violet; the tips of the stamens are orange; the 5-parted calyx light green. The flowers are set on slender pale green stems, and rise from the angles of the leaves.

This charming and profusely flowering Violet is invidiously nicknamed “Dog” by the English, because it is scentless.

[Illustration: RUNNING VIOLET: V. canina, var. Muhlenbergii.]

*Common Blue Violet.* _Viola palmata, var. cucullata._ *Meadow Violet.*

Found in meadows and roadsides, among the grass everywhere, in May and June.

The leaf and flower stems vary in height from 3 to 6 or 7 inches.

The large heart-shaped leaf (1 or 2 inches wide at the base) is strongly ribbed, minutely hairy, and cut in rounded scallops along its margin; full green in color. The stem is half-round, and grooved on its flat side.

The 5 petals and the spur of the flower are variable in color from dark to light (rarely white), from blue- to red-violet; the bearded side-petals and the lower petal are white at the base. The flower-stem is long, slender and smooth.

“The flower-stems are the length of the leaf-stems usually, or a little shorter, and the blossoms appear in the midst of the rich green foliage. In the new growths the lower edges of the leaves at the base are rolled inwards.

“This violet was taken from N. America to England in 1762, and in some English botanies is called _V. obliqua_.”--Sir D. Wooster.

[Illustration: COMMON BLUE: V. palmata, var. cucullata.]

*Sand Violet.* _Viola pedata._ *Bird-Foot Violet.*

Found in May (later than the Meadow Violet) on dry banks and gravelly soil.

The leaves and flowers rise from the root on slender stems.

The leaf is deeply divided into 3 or 5 narrow and long parts, which are sometimes again cleft into 2 or 3 segments; the middle parts are notched by 2 or 3 rounding scallops, the side parts being shorter, with taper-pointed tips; the ribs show obscurely, the texture is thickish, and the surface is dull above and shining underneath; the color is a dull green. The leaves, on half-rounding stems, that are a darker-hued green than the leaves, spread widely. The early spring leaves are less often divided.

This is the largest of the Violet flowers, with 5 flat petals, the upper ones curling backwards on the stem, and a small, very flat spur; the texture is fine and close, and the color varies from deep red-violet to pale lavender, with a dash of white at the base of the lower petals, just beneath the green-tipped pistil, and dry tawny-orange stamens; the 5-parted calyx is pale green. The flowers are set on large shining, smooth stems, which bear a little pair of wings near the ground.

The Bird-Foot Violet flower does not droop, or nod, but holds itself out at an angle almost parallel with the stem; its bud shows white, and generally the paler lavender tints prevail in the full-blown flowers. Many folk-names are given this plant, which grows in little clumps and sometimes thickly spreads all over a favorably located sand-barren,--it is often found in burnt-over fields, and stump-lots. Its flowering season is not so long as many others of its family and as observed, it seldom blooms again in the autumn.

[Illustration: SAND VIOLET: V. pedata.]

PINK FAMILY.

CARYOPHYLLACEÆ.

*Field Chickweed.* _Cerastium arvense._

Found in May on dry and sandy banks.

The stalk branches a little for the flowers, and varies in height from 6 to 10 inches; it is rough with hairs, and green.

The small, grass-like leaves are rough-hairy, and green; they are set in pairs, joined about the stalk in a marked cup-like socket; the pairs occur at right angles to each other.

The small flowers commonly have 5 petals apiece, but sometimes the number is scamped and they are contented with 4 instead; each petal is so deeply cleft as to give the appearance of being quite divided; the texture is thin enough to show the veins, the outer surface is glossy, and the color is white; the calyx has as many sharp-pointed divisions as there are petals, and is green; the 10 stamens are pale straw-color. The flowers form little groups on long stems which spring from the angles of the leaves in pairs.

After the manner of the Pinks this nice little plant sets a blossom between the fork of the main stems.

[Illustration: FIELD CHICKWEED: Cerastium arvense.]

*Common Chickweed.* _Stellaria media._

Blossoming around dwellings in spring, summer, and autumn.

Its weak-fibred stem, lopping over the ground, is green, and smooth, with a barely visible little line of hairs down one side.

The small oval leaves have entire edges, and a smooth surface; they grow in pairs and are of a full green color.

The 5 white petals of the small flower are so deeply notched as to look like 10 very narrow ones; they are shorter than the 5 green calyx divisions; the flowers grow singly on short foot-stems, from the leaf-angles.

The Chickweed is a common plant of the dooryard, but without the usual obnoxious habits of a “weed,--” it is unobtrusive in demeanor, and, the roots having but a slight hold on the ground, is easily removed where undesired. It is a natural weather-glass, and can be trusted not to open its starry eye when rain threatens. The “Hen’s Inheritance” is an English folk-name for this plant.

[Illustration: COMMON CHICKWEED: Stellaria media.]

*Long-Leaved Stitchwort.* _Stellaria longifolia._

Found blossoming in June, in the tall grasses of wet meadows.

This almost thread-like and weak-fibred stalk varies from 6 to 15 inches in height, and is branching and leafy, almost square, with somewhat roughened angles, and pale green color.

The long grass-like leaves are very taper-pointed at each end, thin, and smooth, and in color full green, paler underneath; they are set upon the stalk in pairs, at long intervals.

The flower is small; its 5 petals cleft so deeply as to give the appearance of double the number, very fine and delicate in texture, and pure white, the 5-parted spreading calyx being green, while the 10 silky thread-like stamens are white. The flowers, on long, slight stems, spring singly from the angles of the leaves.

A few-flowered fragile plant, with its tiny star-flowers and sparse flat leafage, this Stitchwort loves to grow among rank sedges and swamp grasses, from whose sturdy rectitude it may claim support and protection.

[Illustration: LONG-LEAVED STITCHWORT: S. longifolia.]

*Sand Spurrey.* _Buda rubra._

Found on sandy barrens in blossom during June.

This very modest little plant is seldom more than 2 or 3 inches high, with its single, round, slender, and smooth stalk of a light green color, with red rings at the leaf-joints.

The small narrow leaf is entire, flat, a trifle thick in texture, and dusty green in color. The leaves occur in pairs that box the compass around the stalk in little groups, and sit very close together; a dry sheath encircles the stalk at their junction.

The very small flower has 5 scoop-shaped petals, fine in quality, and pale lilac inclining to pink in color, and several pale yellow stamens; its 5 calyx-parts are sometimes longer than its petals and are hairy, and gray-green, with pinkish tips. Two or three flowers occur on the top of the stalk.

Only one flower opens at a time, but the calyx splits apart and shows the color of the petals a day before the bud opens. This smallest of the Pinks grows in such sociable crowds in sandy spots as to form a thick carpet, very pretty to discover when its close green is starred with its tiny flowers.

[Illustration: SAND SPURREY: Buda rubra.]

*Bouncing Bet.* _Saponaria officinalis._

Found on dry soil, by the wayside and in the fields, blossoming in July through September.

The large leafy stalk, which grows from 1 to 2 feet high, is stout, slightly rough, and noticeably enlarged at the joints. Its color is green, or more often a dark crimson.

The oval leaf, tapering at the tip, clasps the stalk at the foot; it is 3-ribbed and the middle-rib being a little short the blade is fulled to it on either side; it has a smooth surface, and is of a thick texture; the color is a grayish-green (usually dusty). The leaves are opposite in growth.

The flower is large, about 1 inch across, with 5 petals, broad and slightly notched at the top, and extended down into a narrow stem-like base, which is confined within the long cylindrical calyx; at the spread of the broad part of the petal are two little thread-like fringes. The color runs from white to pink, the 10 stamens are pale yellow, and the long, 5-notched calyx is a pale yellowish-green. The pistil divides at the tip into two curling spires.

Stocky and sturdy in growth, hearty and wholesome in nature, Bouncing Bet grows in great communities along the waysides, and railroad embankments; it is a little ragged in attire, owing to the habit the flowers have of drying up in the calyx. It looks its best under a gray sky.

[Illustration: BOUNCING BET: Saponaria officinalis.]

*Night-Flowering Campion.* _Silene noctiflora._ *Gentlemen’s Hats (N. H.).*

Found along roadside thickets in July and August.

The sparingly leafy stalk branches in an angular fashion, and grows from 1 to 3 feet high; although stout, the branches are slender; it is round, hairy, and sticky to the touch; light green.

The large leaves are sometimes 3 inches long; near the foot they are oval in shape with a wavy edge, above they are long and narrow; the margins are entire, the surface hairy and gummy to the touch; green. They completely clasp the stalk and are united in pairs, the pairs being set at right angles to each other.

The 5 petals of the flower are deeply cleft; where they spread from the deep tube-shaped calyx, each is provided with a pair of little notched tags, which form a pretty crown about the throat of the flower; the texture of the corolla is thin and fine, and the color is pale pink, or white just tinted with rose; the pale, yellow-green calyx is 5-parted and elegantly ornamented with 10 branching ribs, or veins, of a darker color; it is sticky and hairy. The flowers are set on short stems in the angles of the leaves, in pairs usually, while a single blossom sits on a short stem, in the fork of the branches.

After blossoming the seed-box changes its shape to round, and becomes large, the calyx-tips folding together over its top, and the green pattern of the ribs showing more plainly. There is a faint sweet perfume about the flowers which may be only discovered at twilight or in a gray morning, for this is a night-blooming plant.

[Illustration: NIGHT-FLOWERING CAMPION: Silene noctiflora.]

*Deptford Pink.* _Dianthus Armeria._ *Mountain Pink.*

Found from July till frost-time, in upland fields and pastures.

The slender, angular and jointed stalk is from 8 to 12 inches in height, occasionally branching, round, smooth and shining. In color dark green.

The leaf is long and narrow, with a strong midrib, an entire margin, thin, tough texture, and a downy surface; in color it is rather a dark and cool green. The leaves, as with all the pinks, clasp the stalk in pairs with a noticeable joint; the pairs occur at right angles to each other.

The 5 petals of the small flower are oblong with finely notched tips; they spread widely, and are of a fine smooth texture, and a deep rose-pink color, dotted with pale pink specks; the green calyx is tubular, 5-parted, and downy, and is enfolded by 4 narrow green bracts. The flowers occur in pairs, from the angles of the leaves, on short leafy stems.

Sometimes, but not often, two flowers are borne on the same stem; it has been observed that the flower-stems are of about equal length with the curving leaves from which they spring. The plant grows in charming jerks and slants, and like all its kin is neatly finished at the joints. An October walk seldom fails to discover a few of these bright-hued Pinks amidst the dying meadow grasses and bare growths of summer; if the seeds are then gathered and spring-sown in the home garden this hardy little plant will consent to cultivation.

[Illustration: DEPTFORD PINK: Dianthus Armeria.]

ST. JOHN’S-WORT FAMILY.

HYPERICACEÆ.

*Large St. John’s-Wort.* _Hypericum perforatum._ *Common St. John’s-Wort.*

Found from June to September, in broad sunlight or in shade, growing in dry or moist soil.

The branching, leafy stalk, 1 or 2 feet high, rather slender and smooth, is green in color.

The leaves are usually oblong, with a tapering point, but do not rigorously conform to any model; with entire margins and a thin texture, which if held to the light is seen to be perforated by tiny punctures. The color is a full green, and they are set on the stalk in pairs, the pairs being placed at right angles to each other.

The flower is sometimes ¾ of an inch in width, but more often smaller; the 5 petals are finely notched at the tip and along one side, their color is a strong yellow turning in maturity to tawny; the calyx is 5-parted and a light yellow-green modulating between the petal and leaf colors; the many yellow stamens radiate from the center. The flowers are set in leafy terminal groups.

This cheery neighbor to the Daisy and Yarrow, though spruce and pretty when freshly adorned with bloom, is, it must be confessed, a sad slattern, for it does not shed its withered petals but holds them, ragged and unkempt, among the newly opened flowers during the long season of its blossoming. The yellow of the unopened bud is of a noticeably fine quality.

[Illustration: LARGE ST. JOHN’S-WORT: Hypericum perforatum.]

*Lesser St. John’s-Wort.* _Hypericum maculatum._

Found in damp, weedy thickets and fields, during July and August.

The slender, very round, fine-fibred stalk, from 12 to 18 inches high, is noticeably erect in gesture, and bears short angular branches. Its green is often tinged with a ruddy color.

The leaf is oblong, with an entire margin, and smooth, fine texture; the perforations are not conspicuous, and the color is a full green. The arrangement is in pairs.

The 5 petals of the small flower are sharp-pointed, thin, and yellow, faintly marked with black lines which show more strongly on the outside than on the inside of the corolla; the calyx is greenish and 5-parted. The flowers, on short stems, form terminal groups.

This little plant’s habits are in marked contrast to its larger brother John, for it is as tidy in rolling up into tiny bundles its faded petals, as the other is careless of appearances. Though its flower is less conspicuous, the reward, when the plant matures, more than compensates, for as early as mid-July the upper surface of the leaves take on a beautiful crimson flush that mingles with the green of the underside, while the stalk becomes a slender wand of scarlet.

[Illustration: LESSER ST. JOHN’S-WORT: H. maculatum.]

MALLOW FAMILY.

MALVACEÆ.

*Common Mallow.* _Malva rotundifolia._ *Cheeses.*

Found from August till frost-time around dwellings and along waysides.

The lopping, large, round stalk, with many leaves, lies low upon the ground; it is slightly hairy, and green.

The large, rounding leaf is heart-shaped at the base, and is slightly lobed; the margin is notched with small round scallops, the ribs radiate from the base, and the surface is soft to the touch. The leaves, on their long, and short, rough stems (from 1 to 12 inches in length), are placed alternately. The color is a dark green.

The flower has a spreading bell-shaped corolla cut into 5 long points, with notched tips; it is in color a translucent pinky-white, faintly lined with pink. The calyx is 5-parted, and green; just beneath the calyx occur 3 line-like bracts. The flowers, on their slender foot-stems, grow from the angles of the leaves all along the stems, 3 or 4 grouped together.

The seed of this Mallow endears the plant to children by whom it is eaten under the name of “Cheeses”; it is pretty to look at, being round, and light green, and enfolded by the 5 green tips of its calyx-cup.

“Sitting down when school was o’er Upon the threshold of the door, Picking from mallows, sport to please, The crumpled seed we call’d the cheese.”

--_Clare._

[Illustration: COMMON MALLOW: Malva rotundifolia.]