blossoms becoming dry and husky, and turning down after the manner of
the hop, as the bloom continues towards the summit; the heads thus
show a harmonious gradation of color from brownish-yellow at the base,
through yellow, to the yellow-green of the buds at the top of the head.
The plant often grows in clumps of a considerable size.
[Illustration: YELLOW CLOVER: T. agrarium.]
*Stone Clover.* _Trifolium arvense._
*Rabbit-Foot Clover.*
*Pussy Plant.*
Found in August and September; growing in poor, dry soil.
The slender, branching stalk varies from 4 to 10 inches in height, and
is smooth, or slightly rough, and light green.
The leaf has 3 long, narrow, and blunt-pointed leaflets,--their midribs
conspicuous to the very tips; the margin is entire, the texture fine
and downy to the touch, and the color is a rather light green. The
leaves, on short stems, are arranged alternately and near together.
The small, greenish-white corolla is shorter than the calyx, which is
long, and green, with 5 feathery tips that are rose colored and give to
the head its peculiar gray-pink hue. The flower-heads are oblong; 2 or
more are found on a branch.
A faint perfume belongs to the newly opened flowers. Doubtless the
children’s name, “Pussy Plant,” points to the resemblance the silky,
green-rose head bears to the pussy-willow catkins.
[Illustration: STONE CLOVER: T. arvense.]
*Nonesuch.* _Medicago lupulina._
*Black Medick.*
Found, from July to September, in dry soil and barren fields.
The little stalk, frequently about 6 inches high, is apt to lie upon
the ground, and is zigzag or twisted in manner, or occasionally
curving; it is slightly rough, and downy near the top. In color green,
rusty, and pale near the top.
The parts of the 3-divided leaf are long-oval, broadest at the notched
tip, which is further marked by the sharp little projection of the
midrib beyond the slightly irregular margin; the surface is rough
to the touch, downy when young; the color is a cool gray-green. The
leaves, on slight stems, are arranged in groups alternately. A pair of
sharp-pointed, notched wings clasp the stalk at the junction of the
stem.
The small and delicate corolla is yellow; the minute calyx is green.
The flower-head is small and round; on a slender terminal or side stem.
When the seeds ripen the pods swell large and bean-shaped; they turn
dark, almost black, and are woolly to the touch; each contains one
round seed.
[Illustration: NONESUCH: Medicago lupulina.]
*Purple Clover.* _Medicago sativa._
*Alfalfa.*
*Medick.*
*Lucerne.*
Found, from July to September, in dry fields and sandy barrens.
The bushy, branching stalk reaches 2 or 3 feet in height; it is not
very large, and is smooth; light green in color.
The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are long and narrow, or a
pointed-oblong shape, widest near the abruptly-tapering tip; the margin
is very slightly irregular, except for a sharp little needle-point at
the tip; the surface is downy. Each leaflet is provided with a tiny
foot-stem, the middle having the longest one. The color is a cool
green, lighter underneath; without markings. The leaves are set on
slender stems, arranged in groups, alternately; a pair of slender, fine
wings occur at the junction of the stalk.
The flower is smaller than that of the Crimson Clover; it has a fine
texture, and the petals are a pure purple color, the upper petal, which
is much curled back, being marked with delicate dark lines; the small
calyx is pale green. The flower-head is a short and club-shaped spike.
An individual trait is the charming little jerk in the line at the
spring of the central leaflet.
[Illustration: PURPLE CLOVER: M. sativa.]
*Tick Trefoil.* _Desmodium nudiflorum._
Found on sandbanks and in dry shade in July.
The root sends up a flower-stem, pale, slender and about 2 feet in
height, and a stout, woody leaf-stem which is shorter, and gray.
The 3 leaflets of the compound leaf are broad-oval, entire, with many
ribs and veins showing in the thin, somewhat papery texture, that
is rough and dry to the touch; the color is grayish-green, paler
underneath. Three or four leaves on their long strong stems are close
set, one above the other, in an apparent whorl upon the summit of the
short stem already described. Leaves occur also upon the flower-stems.
The flower is small; the upper petal is notched at the tip, and much
turned back; the 4 others are caught by thread-like bases in the
shallow 5-parted calyx; they are a clear lilac and white, the upper
petal being marked with two purple patches; the calyx is pale reddish.
The flowers on red foot-stems are arranged in little groups in a long
spire upon the long stem which rises from the root.
One flower only blooms at a time. A tiny pointed leaf, or bract, as
long as the calyx, is folded over the bud, but falls when the petals
expand.
[Illustration: TICK TREFOIL: Desmodium nudiflorum.]
*Wild Bean.* _Apios tuberosa._
Found on moist banks, among tangles of low bushes and sedges, in August.
This is a twining vine, leafy, rather slender, and slightly rough to
the touch. In color, green, sometimes tinged with a dull red.
The leaf is compound, usually of 5 or 7 leaflets; these are oval,
largest at the base, and tapering to the tip; the margin is entire, the
fibre strong, and the surface slightly rough; color, a strong, full
green. The leaves are alternate at intervals, springing from a strong
joint.
The upper petal of the flower is broad, and hood like, the middle
folded petal is like a beak beneath it, the side petals narrow and
hanging like ribbons to tie the hood. Its color is brown-pink, the hood
and beak darkest on the inside. The flowers are clustered together in a
dense rounded head, set on a short stem that springs from a leaf-joint.
The front view of this flower carries out the fantastic suggestion of
the hood shaped petal, for the beak looks like a strongly hooked nose
far under its shadow. It is odorous.
[Illustration: WILD BEAN: Apios tuberosa.]
ROSE FAMILY.
ROSACEÆ.
*Choke Berry.* _Pyrus arbutifolia._
Found in wooded lands during April and May.
This small, branching shrub grows between 2 and 5 feet in height; it is
woody-fibred, and the bark is reddish-gray in color.
The leaf is small, and oval, with an abruptly pointed tip, tapering to
the base, the margin being finely toothed, with a smooth and shining
surface. Its color is dark green. The leaves, on short stems, are
placed alternately.
The 5 round petals of the flower have little claw-like bases, and are
white in color; the many stamens are also white, with light red tips;
the pistil is 5-parted. The flowers are set on light green foot-stems,
and arranged in almost flat-topped clusters from the ends of the
branches.
This neat and tidy looking leaf always shines as though just washed in
dew. The pretty flower-clusters resemble plum blossoms.
[Illustration: CHOKE BERRY: Pyrus arbutifolia.]
*Wild Strawberry.* _Fragaria Virginiana._
Found during May and June in pastures, and fields, and copse-borders.
The leaf and flower stems, from 6 to 8 inches high, spring from the
root, with dry sheaths enclosing them at the ground.
The leaf is compound, the 8 leaflets wedge-shaped; the margin is
deeply toothed, and the many ribs show plainly; loose of texture, and
roughened underneath with hairs. In color a rich strong green, paler
beneath, sometimes reddish, or pink. The stem is hairy; green, and
reddish near the foot.
The flower has 5 rounded petals with pointed bases; its texture is
thin; pure white in color; the stamens many and orange-yellow. The
petals are set daintily around the base of the little green cone, that
later becomes the berry, showing the 5 broad divisions of the calyx
between; just beneath the calyx, and alternate with its tips, occur 5
narrow bracts which lie so tightly underneath as to appear to belong to
it. The flowers, on short foot-stems, are placed in groups on larger
leafy stems, these forming a loose terminal cluster set on the hairy
stem which rises from the roots.
After the petals fall, the calyx turns up its tips to protect the
fruit, which droops, as it reddens and becomes pulpy. The young leaf,
as it rises from the ground, is close-folded like a delightful little
green fan; the first leaves often lie flat upon the ground, and are
rusty in color. The Strawberry has a pleasant way of bursting into a
flurry of bloom late in August; along wood-paths and unfrequented lanes
one comes upon it as a belated bit of spring. He who has smelled the
exquisite fragrance of the field strawberry fruit will not soon forget
its wild charm.
[Illustration: WILD STRAWBERRY: Fragaria Virginiana.]
*Sweet-briar.* _Rosa rubiginosa._
Found in pastures during June.
This lovely, branching, leafy bush grows to be 7 or 8 feet high under
favoring conditions, but is most often about 3 or 5 feet in height;
its stalks and branches are large and strong, round, firm-fibred, and
smooth, with frequent slender thorns which curve backward. In color, a
full clear green when young, only dashed with red-bronze, but becoming
red-brown when old. The thorns are highly polished, and of a strong red
color when old.
The little leaflets, of the 3- to 7-divided leaf, are oval, with a
prominent midrib (upon which they are occasionally creased); the margin
is doubly notched, the ribs and foot-stems hairy with little prickles;
the upper surface is soft to the touch, while the under is slightly
sticky with a resinous gum, which yields a delicious aromatic perfume.
The color is a cool and beautiful green. The leaves clasp the stalk
with a pair of small fine-pointed wings (“stipules”); they are placed
alternately, either singly or in groups, and close together.
The flower is composed of 5 heart-shaped petals, curving like a
shell, of an exquisitely delicate texture and smoothness; their color
a lovely creamy-rose tint. The stamens are many, curling, and pale
straw color. The calyx is 5-parted, the spreading tips notched 3 or 5
times; they are smooth, with a velvet lining which is tinted a very
pale creamy-green, while the outside of the calyx is bright green. The
flowers are set in groups on little twigs, and scattered profusely
along the stalks.
When the flower opens, the calyx-tips turn back. The haws are large,
and of a brilliant coral-red color which they retain through the
winter. The sturdy young shoots, which grow rapidly, are thickly
protected by long bristles of a rusty red color. An element of beauty,
in the growth of this most perfect rose, exists in the free curve with
which its branches bend downward their wreaths of bloom. The odor of
the leaves is like that of green apples.
[Illustration: SWEET-BRIAR: Rosa rubiginosa.]
*Pasture Rose.* _Rosa humilis._
Found on rocky hillsides, and in dry thickets, during June or July.
The branching, leafy stalk is rather slender, firm-fibred, and smooth,
and grows about 2 or 3 feet high; its spines are occasional, short and
fine, and either straight or slightly down-curved,--they occur also
in pairs at the base of the leaf. In color green, with, or without,
bronzy-red streaks.
The leaflets, 3 to 7 in number, are a long-oval shape,--frequently
narrow,--sharp pointed, with an irregularly toothed margin, a thin,
firm, close texture, the ribs bristly underneath. In color a fine rich
green. The leaves are alternately placed, and clasp the stalk with a
pair of flaring, narrow wings (“stipules”).
The petals are 5, heart-shaped, and shell-like, the texture is thin,
showing the veins; color, a pure and delicate rose-pink. The stamens
are short, many, and yellow; the pistils gathered in a small crimson
center. The bright green calyx-divisions are 5, long and narrow, deeply
and sharply cleft, covered with bristles. The flowers on leafy stems,
are placed, terminally, or along the branches, in pairs, or singly.
The blossoms are odorous, and abundant,--their petals are beautifully
curved. The plants grow in thick plantations, and are partial to upland
pastures, where they contest their rights with the Hardhack, and
Everlastings, and even crowd upon the red cedars and wild apple trees.
[Illustration: PASTURE ROSE: R. humilis.]
*Smooth Rose.* _Rosa blanda._
*Meadow Rose.*
Found near meadow walls, and along fences, in June.
The stout, rather large stalk, branches a great deal and is very leafy;
it varies from 2 to 4 or more feet, and is generally quite without
prickles. The new shoots are green, tinged with pink, and show a slight
bloom; the old growths (they become woody-fibred) are dark red.
The leaflets are 3 to 7 in number, large and often blunt at the tip,
many ribbed, with noticeably toothed margins usually, and a grooved
mid-stem. The color is cool green, rather dark, underneath white or
pale with bloom. The leaf is set on a short stem, scarcely longer than
the conspicuous wings, with which it clasps the stalk; these have
pointed tips and are finely toothed, and are green, with a dash of red
in the stem. The leaves are close together.
The flower is large and odorous, the 5 petals being broad and curving;
in color a glowing rich crimson, pale near the center. The stamens are
many, and yellow; the pistils gathered in a flat disc are green or
nearly yellow. The calyx is very smooth, the divisions shorter than the
petals and downy within; it is a bright clear green. The flowers are
set singly, or in groups. The foot-stem is short; midway it bears a
pair of pointed leafkins, and at its junction with the stalk a pair of
large, oval, toothed leaf-like wings occur.
For profusion of bloom this is a good variety in cultivation, to which
it takes kindly, since it remains vigorous and free from blight when
its paler sisters show their longing for their old wild life. The hips
are large and red. Bristles are sometimes found on the new shoots.
[Illustration: MEADOW ROSE: R. blanda.]
*High-bush Blackberry.* _Rubus villosus._
Found in roadside thickets in early June.
This large, stout, stalk varies from 2 to 6 feet in height; it branches
toward the top, is round, and grooved, and armed with strong recurved
thorns; the new shoots are furnished with short, coarse hairs. The
color in the old stalks is a vigorous russet-red, while the young
growths are green.
The leaf is divided sometimes into 3 leaflets and sometimes into 5,
each leaflet being set on a short foot-stem with the end one a little
longer than the others; the margins are coarsely toothed, the ribs
deeply marked, the texture coarse, and the surface covered with short
hairs; the stem and midrib are furnished underneath with small strong
prickles. The color is a coarse, warm green. The leaves are placed
alternately, with narrow leafy wings at the stalk.
The 5 oblong petals of the flower taper into a narrow claw at the
base; the color is pure white; the 5, pointed, light green calyx-parts
alternate with the petals; the stamens are many, thread-like, and
tipped with dark brown, while the several pistils form a rounding, pale
green bunch in the center. The flowers, on their light green stems,
form large cone-like clusters on the ends of the stalks.
The old canes are noticeable in winter and early spring for their fine
russet-red, as they grow in plantations on the hillsides and along the
lanes; this strong red coloring comes out in the autumn leafage, dark
and rich though subdued in hue, and is held late in the vigorous fibre
of the leaf. The gracefully formed flower blooms in profusion, early,
though the fruit is longer than the other Blackberries in maturing; the
fruit-clusters add another attractive feature to the plant, which is
known as “only a common Bramble.”
[Illustration: HIGH BUSH BLACKBERRY: Rubus villosus.]
*Dewberry.* _Rubus Canadensis._
*Running Blackberry.*
Found in dry fields, banks, and roadsides in June and July.
The stalk trails and runs; it is leafy, stout, and woody-fibred, with
few, and small, prickles. In color dark red.
The leaf is divided into 3, or 5, or 7 leaflets of an oval shape, the
middle one generally being wedge-shape, and set on a short stem; the
margins are sharply toothed. The color is a full, vigorous green.
The flower petals are 5, long, rounded at the tip and tapering at the
base; in color they are pure white. The stamens and pistils are pale;
the 5-parted calyx is a pale silvery green. The flowers grow singly, or
loosely clustered in twos and threes.
The blossom of the Dewberry is sweet-scented, with a fragrance
resembling that of the Anemone, or Adder’s-tongue. Its berry has fewer,
and larger grains, than the High-bush berry; when favorably developed
it has a fine wild flavor.
[Illustration: DEWBERRY: R. Canadensis.]
*Running Swamp Blackberry.* _Rubus hispidus._
Found in swamp lands, grassy woods, and copse borders during June and
July.
The trailing, rather slender, stalk runs on the ground in varying
lengths; its prickles are few and weak. The color is green and brown.
The leaf is small, usually with 3 leaflets that are broad-oval or
wedge-shaped; the margins are toothed, ribs marked, and the surface is
smooth and shining, while the fibre is tough. The color is dark green.
The 5 small flower-petals are white; the stamens and pistils many, but
inconspicuous; the calyx 5-parted, and pale green. The small clusters
of two or three blossoms spring from the new shoots.
The fruit is scanty, and small. The pretty, dark, glossy, green leaves
turn a rich dull bronzy-red in the fall, and remain so throughout
snow-time,--they form a pleasing incident in the bouquet, gathered by
the lover-of-the-woods-in-winter.
[Illustration: RUNNING BLACKBERRY: R. hispidus.]
*Purple Flowering Raspberry.* _Rubus odoratus._
*Scotch-Cap.*
*Thimble-berry.*
Found among wayside tangles, and uplands, in July and August.
The branching, leafy, stalk grows from 3 to 5 feet high; it is large,
of a tough, woody-fibre, and the surface is roughened by short sticky
hairs. The color is rusty green, and reddish-brown.
The large leaf in general shape resembles a maple leaf, with 3 or 5
lobes, a tapering point, and a toothed margin; the ribs and veins form
a strongly-marked network, the texture is loose, and the surface is
somewhat rough. The color is a strong, full-toned, yellowish-green. The
leaves are alternate in growth, and are set on long stems.
The large flower is rather like a Rose in appearance, with 5 large,
rounded petals, and many light yellow stamens forming a ring around
the center. The color of the freshly opened petals is a deep, bright
crimson, becoming pale, and duller with time. The 5-parted, light green
calyx is covered with small, sticky, red hairs, and the flower-stems
are also sticky. They grow in loose clusters, from the ends of the
branches.
On cool or cloudy days the blossoms show a deep clear color, not
to be discerned on hot days which speedily change them to a light
bluish-pink. The fruit resembles that of the red raspberry, though it
is a much shallower cup shape; the plant continues flowering after the
berries begin to ripen. The bush is large and shrubby in growth, with
many leaves.
[Illustration: PURPLE FLOWERING RASPBERRY: R. odoratus.]
*Meadow Sweet.* _Spiræa salicifolia._
*Queen of the Meadows.*
Found in thickets, and along moist banks, during July and August.
The bushy stalk bears many branches, and is very leafy; between 2 and 3
feet in height; it is round, strong and firm-fibred, and covered with a
very thin, fine bark of a beautiful, glossy, golden-bronze hue.
The pretty leaf is oval, with a pointed tip, and finely notched margin;
the ribs are prominent underneath, the texture is firm, the upper
surface is smooth, while it is slightly rough underneath. In color it
is a full green, lighter somewhat underneath, the midrib pale. The
leaves are set on short up-springing stems, and the arrangement is
close and alternate.
The small petals are 5 in number, shell-like, and pinkish-white; there
are many rosy stamens; the calyx is small, 5-parted, and pale green.
The flowers are set on thread foot-stems in little loose spires, that
form a large, leafy terminal spire.
Like the Hardhack (_S. tomentosa_) the leaves turn upward, with a
little arch in the stem; the central flower-spire blossoms first.
The plant has a great elegance of line, and some of its details are
admirable, such as the color of the stalk, and the especially pretty
light brown seed-spires; the bark frequently splits into long shreds.
The blossoms are fragrant.
[Illustration: MEADOW SWEET: Spiræa salicifolia.]
*Steeple-bush.* _Spiræe tomentosa._
*Steeple-top.*
*Hardhack.*
Found in open pastures, hillsides and lanes, during July and August.
The stalk bears prim branches, and is very leafy; woody-fibred, and
strong, the surface being woolly. Pinkish-brown in color.
The leaf is oval, with a strong midrib, and a notched margin; the under
surface is covered with wool of a whity-green color, the upper is full
green in tone. The leaves, on scarcely perceptible stems, spring from
the stalk with a strong and noticeable arch, which points them upwards;
they are placed close together, and alternately.
The 5 petals are very small, round or slightly oval in shape, rosy-pink
in color, as are the many stamens, which give a feathery look to the
blossoms. The small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers are
crowded in small spires, that are arranged closely in a fine-pointed
terminal spire, which is often 3 inches in length.
The flowers open first at the tip of the spire, which thus frequently
turns to pale brown, before the light green buds at the base begin to
swell. The ripened seed-spires of the previous year, dried to a rich
gray-red, or deep brown, are retained during the flowering season, and
add much to the attractiveness of the plant. The upturned undersides of
the leaves are often tinted with pale rose color, as though reflected
from the blossoming spire; all along the middle of the stalk they are
larger than at the foot, or near the flowers. Upland slopes, which
offer favoring conditions to the plant, take on a perceptible tone of
pink during the blossom-time because of its numerous presence,--it is
unfortunate that farmers rate this gregarious habit as pestiferous.
[Illustration: STEEPLE-BUSH: S. tomentosa.]
*White Geum.* _Geum album._
Found along roads, and moist and shady thickets, from June to September.
The zigzag branching stalk varies from 10 to 18 inches in height, and
bears few leaves; it is tough, coarse fibred, and rough with hairs; it
rises from a foot-tuffet of leaves. Of a brownish green color.
The root-leaves are large, and 3-divided into round, unequal, parts,
with a round-scalloped margin, that is often wavy; and set on long
hairy stems,--along which are sometimes scattered other indeterminate
little leaflets; the upper leaves are simple, and narrow, or deeply
3-cleft, with uneven sharp-notched margins, and set on long stiff
stems, which clasp the stalk with a pair of 3-notched wings; a few
small leaves near the flowers are set close on the stalk clasping with
small narrow wings. The surface is hairy, texture loose, and coarse;
the color a crude green; the arrangement alternate.
The flower has 5 petals, oval shaped, with fine-pointed bases; the
texture is thin and delicate, the edges curly; clear white in color;
the stamens are fine, tipped with yellow; the many green pistils are
gathered in a small conical head; the calyx is 5-parted, and green,
with white edges; between the divisions is found a tiny thread-like
point. The flowers are set on slender, leafy stems, which are terminal,
and from the angles of the leaves.
The petals are so widely spread that the calyx is seen, from above,
as a fine-pointed green star; after they fall the head develops long,
wiry, green hooks, with which to grapple the heedless traveller. The
growth is angular, and weedy.
[Illustration: WHITE GEUM: Geum album.]
*Common Agrimony.* _Agrimonia Eupatoria._
Found in July and August, in shady copses, light woods, and thickets.
The small single stalk (from 1 to 2 feet in height) is dry fibred, and
hairy. Green in color.