Part 4

GERANIUM FAMILY.

GERANIACEÆ.

*Cranesbill.* _Geranium maculatum._ *Wild Geranium.*

Found in lush grass, or light shade, in fields and roadside banks, during May and June.

The stalk, single at first, but presently parting into twice-forking branches, is from 10 to 18 inches in height, and leafy above the branches; its surface is hairy, and color yellow-green.

The large leaf is 3- to 5-times divided with sharp-pointed tips, an irregularly toothed margin, distinctly showing ribs, hairy surface; yellowish-green in color. The leaves are set on stems in pairs, or near the flowers are placed close together and immediately upon the stalk. The size is variable, but often quite large.

The flower has 5 rounded petals that are somewhat bearded at the base; their texture is so fine it plainly shows the veins, the surface is very smooth, their edges slightly curve, and the color is a delicate pinkish-lavender; the calyx with its 5 needle-pointed tips is hairy, and light green; the 10 long stamens are spreading, and the pistil is 5-parted. The flowers, on short stems, are set in pairs, or in a loose, leafy terminal group.

At the joints of the stems are a pair of leaves and several tiny leafkins. Though set in occasional pairs the blossoms open one at a time. It is noticeable that the flowers which open in cool weather, or in a shady place, are almost crimson in hue, the color being always very variable. The leafage is especially brilliant in autumn, and sometimes as early as July a leaf will be found turned to a vivid scarlet-red. The curious and decorative seed-vessel gives the plant its fantastic folk-name.

[Illustration: CRANESBILL: Geranium maculatum.]

*Herb Robert.* _Geranium Robertianum._

Found on moist and shaded banks; in chief profusion of bloom from June to November, though stray flowers may be found in every month of the year save February.

The widely branching, leafy stalk, from 3 to 18 or more inches in height, is very slender and apparently weak-fibred, and covered with soft whitish hairs; it is red or crimson, green only when newly grown.

The leaf is thrice (and sometimes again) divided, with a triangular spread to its shape; the margin is cut into little rounded notches, each with a pointed tip; it is very thin in texture, and downy with hairs; a strong vigorous green in color. The leaves are on long slender stems, in pairs and groups.

The small urn-shaped flower has 5 wedge-shaped petals, of a delicate thin texture, and a violet-tinted rose color, rather deep in hue, and marked with paler lines; the pistil is rose color, the 10 stamens brownish. The 5 divisions of the hairy calyx hug the petals closely, and turn their sharp little tips out under their curve; it is pale, with green veins and margins. The flowers, on their slender stems, are set in pairs, terminally and along the stalk,--but one of the pair comes into bloom at once usually.

The stalk, with all its remarkable vitality, is weak at the root, and the plant is forced to lie somewhat upon the ground or rest against its sturdier neighbors. It takes kindly to indoor potting, and will bloom freely through the winter if kept in a cool place.

[Illustration: HERB ROBERT: G. Robertianum.]

*Ladies’ Sorrel.* _Oxalis corniculata, var. stricta._ *Yellow Wood Sorrel.* *Sheep Sorrel.*

Found in gardens and moist woodlands from June to October.

The branching, leafy stalk, about 6 or 8 inches in height, is smooth, silky with hairs when newly grown, and a clear, light green color.

The leaf is compound, with 3 broad, short, heart-shaped leaflets, that are somewhat folded on the midrib, and are thin, delicate, smooth; a clear green, paler underneath. The leaves, on their long slender stems, are alternately arranged.

The 5 spreading petals of the small flower are delicately thin, and show the veins faintly; they are a bright clean yellow, while the 5-parted shallow calyx is green; the 5 long and 5 short stamens which are joined together at the base are yellow. The flowers are arranged in a group of 2 to 6 on a long, light green stem, that springs from the angle of the leaf-stem and is generally of the same length.

Bud, blossom, and seed-pod may often be seen together on this plant, as is common to such a prolonged season of bloom. The pod is 5-sided, somewhat fuzzy with down, and bright green. Though hard to uproot, as the gardener knows, because of its underground runners, the plant is weak and apt to flop. The leaflets close entirely upon their midribs at night; their juice is slightly sour, and relished by children, who detect in its acid taste a sufficient resemblance to the Red Sorrel (_R. acetosa_) to warrant the folk-name given this oxalis.

[Illustration: LADIES’ SORREL: Oxalis corniculata, var. stricta.]

*Jewel-Weed.* _Impatiens fulva._ *Spotted Touch-me-not.* *Lady’s Ear-Drop.* *Balsam.*

Found in moist and shaded places from July to September.

This large, branching, leafy plant, from 1 to 3 or 4 feet in height, is weak-fibred and juicy; its stalk is slightly ribbed, and swollen at the joints, very smooth, and a pale reddish-green.

The large oval leaf, with its tapering tip and broad base, has a wide midrib, a coarsely toothed margin, and a thin, weak texture; the surface is dull, and pale green, with irresolute flecks of red near the edges. The leaves are alternately placed, on short pale stems.

The curious flower consists of a deep cornucopia-shaped pocket terminating in a slender hook-like spur, and 5 petal-like parts; the texture is fine and smooth, and in color it is orange or red-orange, thickly speckled with tawny-red dots, except the small curving side-parts which are less strong in hue, and even tinged with green; the 5 stamens are gathered in the mouth of the pocket, beneath the stem. The flowers swing on slender foot-stems in small groups.

Like all very juicy plants this wilts quickly when plucked. In bud the wing-like side-parts enfold the pocket. When ripe the seed-pods burst with a sudden snap that throws the seeds to a considerable distance; to this trait, and to the singular shape of the flower, are due the particular favor in which children hold the plant, and afford occasion, also, for the many by-names by which it is called, such as Snap-Weed, Silver-Weed, Lady’s Slipper, Lady’s Pocket, and Kicking Colt.

Pale Touch-me-not (_I. pallida_) is a light lemon-yellow variety, very like _I. fulva_, though the pocket of the flower is shorter, the spur less curved, and it is not so numerously spotted.

[Illustration: JEWEL-WEED: Impatiens fulva.]

HOLLY FAMILY.

ILICINEÆ.

*Black Alder.* _Ilex verticillata._ *Winter Berry.* *Christmas Berry.*

Found in moist wayside thickets, and on the borders of small streams; the inconspicuous flowers opening in June and July, and the bright berries ripening in October.

This shrub is from 3 to 5 or 8 feet high, and has a round, tough stem, covered with a smooth dark gray bark.

The small oval leaf, tapering at both ends, is thin, and smooth above, but slightly woolly on the ribs beneath; the color is a strong, full green.

The small, inconspicuous flower has 4, 5, 6, and sometimes 7 or 8, small rounded divisions, and an equal number of tiny stamens; these pale, greenish flowers are clustered close to the stem, in the angles of the leaves, on the ends of the branches.

The bright red berries, about the size of a small pea, glow under the green leaves in early October, and later, among the gray twiggery they are like coals of fire.

[Illustration: BLACK ALDER: Ilex verticillata.]

STAFF-TREE FAMILY.

CELASTRACEÆ.

*Climbing Bitter-Sweet.* _Celastrus scandens._ *Staff-tree.* *Roxbury Waxwork.*

Found beside walls and in open woods, in June; growing often in damp soil.

This clambering and twisting vine grows to considerable proportions; its stems are very tough, and the bark is firm and close, somewhat shining, and dark gray with occasional bronzy flecks.

The oval leaf, with its many noticeable ribs, finely toothed margin, and fine texture, is short-stemmed; its color is a cool green, lighter and shining underneath. The arrangement is alternate.

The greenish-white flowers are small and inconspicuous, their parts all in fives; they are gathered in loose terminal clusters, which give no promise of their brilliant fruiting.

With the autumn ripening of the seed, the dry round case becomes red-orange in color, and bursts into 3 divisions, which curl backward, with many twisting curves, to display the glistening coral-red fruit. The drooping clusters of gorgeous orange and scarlet berries keep their color long, and if gathered just before the seed-cases open, will last all winter for house decoration.

[Illustration: CLIMBING BITTER-SWEET: Celastrus Scandens.]

BUCKTHORN FAMILY.

RHAMNACEÆ.

*New Jersey Tea.* _Ceanothus Americanus._ *Red-Root.*

Found on dry banks and in thicket growths, blossoming in July.

This is a widely branching, very leafy bush, woody-fibred and tough, which grows from 2 to 4 feet high, and has a coarse, roughish bark, slightly grooved, and dull bronzy-green in color.

The oval leaf is sometimes heart-shaped at the base, the veins are hairy beneath and the margin is irregularly and slightly toothed with fine points; the texture is loose; it is downy to the touch, and dull green. The leaves are set alternately on short reddish stems.

The tiny flowers have 5 very slender petals, and are a pinkish-creamy-white; they are set on white thread-like foot-stems, and gathered in close thimble-shaped clusters, upon long stems which form terminal groups. They have a faint sweet odor.

In some localities this thickly blooming shrub is much infested with insects. The flowers fall quickly, but the pretty little silvery seed-vessels are retained through the second season.

[Illustration: NEW JERSEY TEA: Ceanothus Americanus.]

VINE FAMILY.

VITACEÆ.

*Virginia Creeper.* _Ampelopsis quinquefolia._ *American Ivy.*

Found on rich ground, in woods and wayside thickets, blossoming in July.

This is a high-climbing vine, with tough, woody-fibred stems, covered with a rough reddish-gray bark.

The large leaf is compound, with the 5 leaflets starting from the same point; the leaflet is taper-pointed, notched on the edge, smooth, shining, of a thin texture, and dark green color. The leaves, alternate in growth, are set on foot-stems 2 or 3 inches long.

The flowers are small, and inconspicuous, with their parts in fives and of a yellowish-green color; they grow in irregularly branching clusters from the angles of the leaves.

The round blue-black berries, on thick red stems, ripen in October. The leaves turn a vivid scarlet, which flames out among the autumn colors. The vine climbs by the aid of tendrils which terminate in flat sucker-like discs. It is easily transplanted and often seen around dwellings.

[Illustration: VIRGINIA CREEPER: Ampelopsis quinquefolia.]

MILKWORT FAMILY.

POLYGALACEÆ.

*Flowering Wintergreen.* _Polygala paucifolia._ *Fringed Polygala.*

Found in light woods during May.

The single stalk is flattened beneath the leaf, from 3 to 5 inches in height, and slender. It is smooth, and strongly tinted with purple, even with crimson, at the foot.

The lower leaves are small, clasping, and alternate; the upper are on stems, and form a terminal cluster of 4 or 5 around the flowers,--they are oval, with an entire margin, and a thick texture, smooth, and glossy green.

The irregular-shaped flower, like a gayly colored fly, has a very delicate and fine texture, and is of an exquisite clear crimson tint, the one fringed petal being white, tinged with a light yellow-green. From 1 to 3 flowers, on their green stems, form a terminal cluster.

These flowers are the idle beauties of the plant; the unnoted homely Cinderella flower, very small, misshapen, and dull, that sits down in the dust on a little side-stem close to the root, bears the seeds. The leaves last over winter, turning a rich crimson-bronze hue, almost as brilliant as the flowers; the fresh leaves are simultaneous in growth with the blossoms, unfolding as the buds swell. White varieties are occasionally found.

[Illustration: FLOWERING WINTERGREEN: Polygala paucifolia.]

*Milkwort.* _Polygala sanguinea._

Found in moist sandy soil, in September.

The little wiry stalk, which branches near the top for the flowers, is 6 or 8 inches in height, grooved and twisted, and green in color.

The line-like leaf, with its blunt tip, and entire margin, is somewhat thick, and its green color carries a hint of crimson. The leaves are alternate, near together, and clasping.

The very small yellow petals of the flower are hidden within the calyx, two parts of which are larger than the others, and colored crimson. The flowers are so placed in a close cylindrical spike that these crimson calyx-parts are on the outside, overlapping each other in rows like tiles. These crimson spikes are on long stems that grow terminally, and from the angles of the leaves.

The flowers bloom in a single row at a time at the bottom of the spike, which prolongs itself as the buds unfold; when the seeds ripen the lowest rows fall successively, leaving the brownish stem closely beset by the little withered foot-stems of the blossoms.

[Illustration: MILKWORT: P. sanguinea.]

PULSE FAMILY.

LEGUMINOSÆ.

*Wild Lupine.* _Lupinus perennis._ *Old-Maids’ Bonnets.* *Wild Pea.*

Found in barren sandy fields, in June.

The tough, woody-fibred, round stalk is about 1 or 2 feet high, erect and leafy, with a rough, hairy surface. The color is light green, with a considerable showing of red.

The leaf is divided into 5 to 15 long narrow leaflets which radiate from a common center (“palmate”), each showing a strong midrib, with an entire margin; the texture is thin, and fine, and pleasing to the touch; the color is a soft green, paler underneath, showing a hint of red at the edge, the tip, and again at the stem. The leaves are set on stems, and arranged in little groups alternately.

The flower has 5 petals: the upper is broad, erect, and much folded back; the side petals are closed about the lower petal, which is not observable until the blossom is ready to fall, when it pushes itself, and the stamens, forward. The upright petal is a deep beautiful red-purple or dark violet, the side petals are violet, lined with blue, the lower petal is tipped with purple; the calyx is 2-parted and green. The flowers, set on short red-purple stems, are arranged loosely in a long terminal spike. The blossom is odorous.

In bud scarcely a trace of the purple tint shows, petals and calyx being pink and greenish-white,--even when the upright petal first turns back, only a few dainty flecks of dark color may be discerned; with maturity the purple and blue increase in depth. The blossoms at the base of the spike begin to open earliest. Not the least of the Lupine’s attractions is the graceful curve of the stalk,--rarely is the flower-spike stiffly erect. It is a communistic plant, spreading all over a sand plain and making it a field of blue in blossom time, the roots buried firmly and to a surprising depth in the loose soil.

[Illustration: WILD LUPINE: Lupinus perennis.]

*Vetch.* _Vicia Cracca._ *Tare.*

Found along the borders of thickets, and in fields among grasses and grains, in June and July.

The climbing, leafy stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high; it is tough-fibred, and much grooved with fine lines. Color, green.

The compound leaf is composed of 20 or more side leaflets, and terminates in a tendril; the leaflets are small and narrow, and are tipped with little needle-like bristles; the surface is finely downy. The leaves, on very short stems, are alternate and clasping by a pair of half-arrow-shaped wings. The color is grayish-green.

The flower is small, and shaped like the bean blossom; its color is a fresh, light, bluish-violet tint, the broad upper petal being faintly lined with darker violet; the calyx is unequally 5-parted, and colored like the corolla. The flowers are densely crowded in long, one-sided curving spikes that grow from the angles of the leaves.

The leafage of this plant affords a good example of the refined green generally found accompanying flowers of a blue or violet hue; its stalk is perhaps a little awkward in gesture, but not so the flexible curving flower-clusters. It grows in communities, and seen from a little distance forms a beautiful mass of blue.

[Illustration: VETCH: Vicia Cracca.]

*Wild Indigo.* _Baptisia tinctoria._

Found in dry sandy soil in uplands and light woods, blossoming in June and July.

The round stalk, from 2 to 3 feet high, is tough-fibred, and extremely smooth; color, green.

The leaf is divided into 3 small wedge-shaped leaflets, tapering at the base; it has an entire edge, a smooth and very fine surface, of a rich, dark gray-green color. The leaves are alternate, on very short foot-stems.

The corolla of the small pea-shaped blossom is of a clear yellow color, with a light green calyx. The flowers, on short curved stems, grow along the ends of the branches, in slender, elongated clusters, or spires,--the clusters sometimes branch, and are sometimes leafy.

Both the flower and leaf in withering turn black. The plant is attractive in its leafage, which is fine in quality and rich in color; when growing in the open it has a round, compact, bushy top, and a general air of trigness, often unnoted under less favorable conditions.

[Illustration: WILD INDIGO: Baptisia tinctoria.]

*Wild Senna.* _Cassia Marilandica._

Found in rich ground by the wayside, in July and August.

The smooth, tough stalk, growing from 3 to 4 feet high, is light green in color.

The compound leaf has from 6 to 9 pairs of narrow oblong leaflets; the midrib of each leaflet extends a little beyond the margin at the tip of the blade; the surface is smooth, and the texture firm and fine. The foot-stems of the leaves show the gland-like swellings frequently seen in members of this family. The leaves are alternate, and green in color, tending toward yellow-green, lighter beneath.

The flower has 5 slightly unequal petals, 3 standing close together, and 2 spreading more widely, while the calyx has 5 long divisions turned backward; there are 10 stamens in 3 sets--one set of 3 is short and rounded at the tip, a second set of 4, opposite the first, is somewhat longer, while the third set of 3 is longer still. The petals and stamens are of a rich soft yellow, the latter being tipped with a very dark brown, while the calyx is a fine greenish-yellow. The blossoms are in loose clusters, on short flower-stems, from the angles of the upper leaves.

The fineness of texture, and the quality of color, accentuated by the irregular dashes of dark of the stamen-tips, give to the Wild Senna the distinguishing air of “style.” The leaves seem slightly sensitive to the touch, and inclined to droop with much handling.

[Illustration: WILD SENNA: Cassia Marilandica.]

*Wild Pea-nut.* _Amphicarpæa monoica._

Common in rich, open woodlands and damp wayside tangles, usually blossoming in August and September.

A vine: climbing over low vegetation by aid of its slender, twining, green stem.

The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are very broad across the middle, especially the middle one, which is almost diamond-shaped; the margin is entire, the surface almost smooth, and the texture exceedingly thin; at the juncture of the foot-stem with the blade, and with the main stem, are small gland-like swellings; the alternate leaves, on slender stems, are of a light yellowish-green.

The slender pea-shaped blossom is lavender-tinted, with a pale green 4- to 5-notched calyx; the flowers grow in groups of from 4 to 7, on the end of a short flower-stem, that springs from the angle of the leaf.

The flowers occasionally ripen pods about 1 inch long, holding from 3 to 4 brown-mottled, bean-like seeds. The vine is said also to form subterranean seeds from rudimentary flowers, the seed being enclosed in a fleshy, pear-shaped pod; this perhaps may have been thought a good reason for giving to a slender and well-behaved little vine the opprobrious folk-name of Hog-Pea-nut! But those who know its true character will never degrade it to so low a level!

[Illustration: WILD PEANUT: Amphicarpæa monoica.]

*White Clover.* _Trifolium repens._

Found in chief profusion in June--though continuing to flower through the summer,--amidst grass, along the roadsides, and occasionally in woodland glades.

The creeping stalk sends up its erect leaf and flower-stems (of 3 to 6 inches height) in great profusion. It is green and pale.

The leaf is compound; the 3 leaflets are oval, slightly notched, or heart-shaped, with obscurely toothed margins; of fine texture, and smooth surface. In color it is a rather dark, cool green, sometimes faintly marked with a triangular band of lighter color on each leaflet.

The upper and larger petal of the little flower is slightly turned back; the color of the corolla is white, the small 5-parted calyx being green. The flowers, on their very tiny foot-stems, are gathered in a close, round head, which is set on a slender, light green stem that springs from the stalk.

As the flowers mature they turn downwards from the head: the trefoil leaf is of especial elegance in shape and color. Roadsides and lawns thickly strewn with these pretty Clover heads, sweeten the air with the wholesome grass-like fragrance of their odorous flowers,--they are beloved by bees.

[Illustration: WHITE CLOVER: Trifolium repens.]

*Alsatian Clover.* _Trifolium hybridum._ *Alsike.*

Found in June and July, in meadows and fields.

The stalk (from 8 to 12 inches in height) is branching, leafy at intervals, and curving in growth; it is slender, round, and finely grooved. Color light green, speckled with dull crimson.

The leaf is compound, the 3 leaflets small and narrow; the margin is finely notched, the texture delicate and smooth to the touch; the color is a cool light green, with no clover-markings. The leaf is set on slender grooved stems, with a pair of flaring wings at the junction with the stalk; the arrangement is alternate.

The small flower is very like the White Clover, but tinted a beautiful rose color. Set in a loose, small, round head, on a terminal or side stem.

When advanced in age the lower flowers of the head turn downwards, after the manner of the White Clover, which it closely resembles except for the color. It is honey sweet in perfume.

[Illustration: ALSATIAN CLOVER: T. hybridum.]

*Crimson Clover.* _Trifolium pratense._

Found, from June to September, growing in meadows, fields, and waysides.

The stalk (from 6 to 15 inches high) is rather large, branching, leafy, strong-fibred, grooved slightly, and roughened by the presence of short hairs. Color, light green.

The leaflets are 3, of varying shape, oval, long oval, or heart-shaped; the margin is slightly irregular, the texture thin; the color is a fine cool green, lighter underneath, and the upper surface of each leaflet is marked with a pale triangular patch in the middle. The leaf is set on a slender stem, with a pair of bristly-pointed, woolly, green and white, membrane-like wings at the junction of the stalk; the arrangement is alternate.

The corolla is large, its upper petal narrow and erect; in color, all shades of crimson to a violet tint. The 5-parted calyx has long thread-like feathery tips; it is light green. The flower-head is large, close, and round or oval; it is set on a terminal or side stem. Beneath the head, like a collar, are found 3 membrane-like leaves.

The violet-crimson flower-head is modified, by the green calices, into excellent harmony with the fine cool green of the leafage.

[Illustration: CRIMSON CLOVER: T. pratense.]

*Yellow Clover.* _Trifolium agrarium._ *Hop Clover.*

Found, during June and July, in dry fields and waysides.

The stalk branches slightly, and is leafy; it is slender, round, and smooth, and grows from 6 to 12 inches high. The color is light green.