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.
The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are long and narrow, with an
exceedingly fine texture and smooth surface. The leaves, on very short
stems, are placed in groups, or singly and alternately, upon the stalk;
at the base of the stem, and uniting with it for half its length, occur
a pair of enfolding wings.
The flowers are very small, and gathered into a close head, that is set
on a little stem growing from the angle of a leaf; the corollas are
yellow, the minute calices being green.