it is damp; coming into bloom late in August and continuing until
middle October or later.
The stalk, which branches for the flowers, grows usually from 6 inches
to 2 feet in height, and is somewhat square near the blossoms, and
sometimes twisted; it is grooved, smooth and shining, and light green,
tempered with bronze.
The leaf is heart-shaped at the base, tapering sharply to a
long-pointed tip, slightly creased on the midrib, with an entire
margin, and thin smooth texture. In color it is light green. The leaves
clasp the stalk in pairs, which occur at right angles to each other.
The corolla is a deep vase shape spreading at the top into 4 fringed
lobes which curve like shells; of a delicate thin texture, and satin
smooth surface, in color an evasive azure, impossible to describe,
varying from pale to deep (sometimes reddish tinted), and marked upon
the outside with fine lines of darker blue. The 4-parted calyx is
pinched into 4 angles at its base, and is a light yellow-green color,
its long, sharp tips sometimes bronzy. The flowers are set on short,
and long, leafy stems; in groups, or singly.
Though often low, and bearing but one flower, it is not uncommon to
find a single tall stalk adorned with a dozen or two of blossoms, and
a reliable observer reports having found plants 5 feet in stature, and
bearing upwards of a hundred flowers and buds apiece! This remarkable
luxuriance could only have occurred in some solitary mountain glen
unknown to the gentian-hunter, who, between greedy admiration of its
beauty and ignorance of its habits, is doing his best to exterminate
the plant. The seeds are exceedingly capricious in their choice of
a home, and refuse to germinate when garden-sown. For the æsthetic
pleasure also it is best not to pluck them; their charm loses its
subtlety when carried into civilized environments--the spirit of their
loveliness escapes imprisonment.
[Illustration: FRINGED GENTIAN: Gentiana crinita.]
*Blind Gentian.* _Gentiana Andrewsii._
*Closed Gentian.*
Found in rich woodlands and pastures, blossoming in September and
October.
The single leafy stalk, from 1 foot to 18 inches in height, is round,
stout, smooth, and green.
The leaf is large (from 2 to 4 inches long), usually bread oval in
shape, tapering to the tip, with an entire margin, and a thick texture;
the surface is smooth, and the color a rich green that is frequently
weather-worn and rusty. The leaves are set in pairs upon the stalk.
The flower is like a closed bud which never opens, an inflated
club-shape from 1 to 1 and ½ inches in length; the corolla is a dark
purple-blue color, growing lighter near the base, and in its folds; the
5-parted calyx is more or less green. The flowers are gathered together
in a close cluster of four or five, upon the summit of the stalk,
amidst the numerous green leaves.
The color of the closed gentian, being low and rich in tone rather than
brilliant, loses greatly in value when gathered and fetched into the
subdued light of the house.
[Illustration: BLIND GENTIAN: G. Andrewsii.]
BORAGE FAMILY.
BORRAGINACEÆ.
*Forget-me-not.* _Myosotis palustris._
*Mouse-ear.*
Found in moist meadows, and by brooks and runnels, flowering in June
and July.
The large, somewhat square stalk, from 9 to 20 inches in height, is
branching and leafy, rather roughish of surface, with short rootlets
starting out on its sides, and light green. It supports itself upon
surrounding vegetation.
The leaf, 2 or 3 inches long, is oval with a blunt tip, and partly
clasping the stalk; its surface roughened with fine hairs, and it is
light green in color.
The small 5-lobed flower is about a quarter of an inch across;
its corolla is very fine and even in texture, in color light blue
(occasionally pink) with a center of harmonious yellow; the calyx is
small, 5-parted, and green. The buds are pinkish. The flowers grow in
curving, one-sided, terminal clusters,--sometimes from the angles of
the upper leaves.
This is one of the few true blue flowers of our flora; its color
is pure and opaque, like that of a turquoise, or a fine enamel,
and falls into harmony with the yellow of the center through an
exquisite gradation of color. The plant remains in flower a long time,
continually forming new buds, and leaving behind the little empty green
calyx-cups on its ever-lengthening stem. The blossom of the wild plant
is larger than that usually cultivated in the gardens; it is easily
propagated by means of cuttings.
[Illustration: FORGET-ME-NOT: Myosotis palustris.]
*Blue Weed.* _Echium vulgare._
*Viper’s Bugloss.*
*Blue Thistle (Vt.).*
Found in July, in pastures chiefly, though occasionally straying along
country roads.
The stalk, from 3 to 4 or 5 feet in height, is large, and strong; it
is branching with short stems which diminish as they near the top; the
fibre is coarse, it is roughened with hairs, and its light green color
is frequently dotted with rusty-purple freckles.
The lower leaves are very long and narrow, occasionally cut or rudely
notched on the edge, while the pointed upper leaves are entire; the
texture is coarse, and rough to the touch; the color is green. The
arrangement is alternate.
The flower is an irregular vase-shape, spreading into 5 rounding
divisions of unequal length, with a very small, green, 5-parted calyx;
the corolla is a bright deep blue, the 4 stamens and the pistil are
rose-colored. Several flowers are set in a single row along the upper
side of a short stem, which is coiled tightly at first, but straightens
itself as the rose-colored buds expand. Many of these stems form a
large and conspicuous terminal spike; and singly grow from the upper
branches.
It is a pity this striking plant should have invaded the farmers’
pastures in such bold colonies as to be reckoned by him a pest, and
so uprooted, for absolute blue flowers are rare. It deserves especial
regard because of its unusual color combination of ultramarine and
rose. The “spotted stem made men once think it efficacious for cure of
viper’s bites, and its seeds, shaped like a viper’s head, confirmed the
notion.”
[Illustration: BLUE WEED: Echium vulgare.]
CONVOLVULUS FAMILY.
CONVOLVULACEÆ.
*Upright Convolvulus.* _Convolvulus spithamæus._
Found in June, growing on dry and sandy places, in the open.
The stalk is seldom over 10 inches in height, single, leafy, and erect;
it is round, and downy with small hairs. Pale green in color, but red
near the foot.
The leaf is between 1 and 2 inches in length, oblong, with taper tip,
and a narrow heart-shaped base; it is folded slightly on the midrib;
all the ribs show plainly, the margin is entire, and the surface is
roughened by hairs; in color a full green, somewhat lighter underneath,
with a pinkish tint along the edge and the midrib. It is set on a
short, downy, reddish stem. The arrangement is alternate.
The flower is large; the corolla a beautiful vase shape with a rolling,
slightly 5-angled rim, in texture fine and thin, the outside of the
throat shining; within the vase, at the bottom, may be seen 5 deep
pits; it is of a pure and exquisite white, toned to creamy-green near
the calyx; the 5 stamens are cream colored while the 2-tipped pistil
is white. The greenish calyx is 5-parted with small pointed divisions
which are almost concealed by the 2 longer, pale green bracts that
clasp together closely about its throat. The flower is set on a rather
large, flat, downy, pale stem which rises from the angle of a leaf. The
plant bears but few flowers.
Far less common than the Bindweed this flower must be reckoned
a treasure-trove by its finder. Its texture is so thin that the
calyx-color glows within the throat of the vase with a golden green
effulgence.
[Illustration: UPRIGHT CONVOLVULUS: Convolvulus spithamæus.]
*Hedge Bindweed.* _Convolvulus sepium._
Blossoming along the roadside and in the meadow in June and July.
This twining leafy vine, climbing over low shrubbery, has a round,
smooth, light green stem.
The broad arrow-shaped leaf is from 2 to 3 inches in length, tapering
at the tip, and set on a long foot-stem; the surface is smooth, and the
color a grayish-green.
The large funnel-shaped flower is about 2 inches broad and from 2 to
3 inches long; the spreading top is obscurely 5-sided, and singularly
fine and delicate in texture, and of a pale shell-pink or white color;
the stamens and a 2-divided white pistil are visible within the tube;
the 5 pale-green parts of the calyx are nearly enfolded by two larger
shell-shaped bracts.
The Bindweed blossoms luxuriantly along the edge of cultivated grounds,
and often runs in among the crops to such an extent as to be deemed a
pest by the farmer. Though it is the flower of the morning, on cool
gray days it frequently remains in bloom late Into the afternoon.
[Illustration: HEDGE BINDWEED: C. sepium.]
*Dodder.* _Cuscuta Gronovii._
Blossoming from August to October in low, damp, and shady ground.
A parasite, climbing high on other plants by winding its smooth, round,
bright orange stems closely about their stalks, and growing to them by
many sharp little suckers.
There are no leaves, for the vine, stealing its food from honest
workers, has no use for them.
The small, broad bell-shaped flower spreads at the top into 5 short
divisions; the corolla is of a dull white color, and the inconspicuous
calyx greenish-white. The flowers are crowded in thick humps, at short
intervals along the twisting stems.
The globular seed-box begins soon to swell within the flower, and
develops while the blossoming still goes on. The Dodder starts at
first, like an honest plant, from the ground, but as soon as it finds a
convenient plant to tap, it breaks its connection with the earth, and
wraps itself closely about its victim.
[Illustration: DODDER: Cuscuta Gronovii.]
NIGHTSHADE FAMILY.
SOLANACEÆ.
*Nightshade.* _Solanum Dulcamara._
Found in flower in June and July in moist grounds.
The stalk, erect at first, branches and takes to climbing later; it is
nearly smooth, and quite tough, with a strong, coarse odor; green.
The leaves, from 2 to 3 inches long, are somewhat variable in shape,
the lower ones being heart-shaped, while the upper ones are deeply cut
at the base into 2 long narrow lobes; they taper at the tip, and are on
short foot-stems (about 1 inch long); coarse in texture; dark green.
The 5-pointed star-shaped corolla is of a deep purple color, with a
yellow cone, made of 5 stamens, in the center; the calyx is small,
bell-shaped and 5-notched; brownish-green. The flowers, on short
curving foot-stems, hang in loosely branching clusters from the angles
of the leaves.
The oval berry ripening, in August and September, is bright red, while
those of the _Deadly_ Nightshade are blue-black. Its coarse odor
betrays its kinship to the potato plant.
[Illustration: NIGHTSHADE: Solanum Dulcamara.]
FIGWORT FAMILY.
SCROPHULARIACEÆ.
*Common Lousewort.* _Pedicularis Canadensis._
*Beefsteak Plant.*
Found on roadside banks, and in dry copses, during May.
Several flower-bearing, leafy, stout stems, 6 to 10 inches high, spring
from a foot tuffet of leaves.
The foot-leaves are large and long, and set on long, wide, grooved,
hairy stems; the stem leaves taper at each end, and are at first set on
short stems, and above clasping; all the leaves are often and regularly
cut like a feather, a resemblance increased by the finely toothed
margin; with strong midribs, coarse texture, and shining surfaces.
The color is dark green, the lower leaves dashed with red-purple, the
stems being also red-purple. The leaves occur alternately, and not near
together, along the stems.
This curious flower is 2-lipped: the upper is flat and curved, with a
two-pronged tip, the lower is 3-lobed, the edges curled inward; their
surface shining; the upper lip is a dark purplish-red, the lower, pale
yellow, while the throat is reddish. The pistil pushes out between the
prongs of the upper lip. The deep and somewhat square calyx is parted
beneath the lower lip; it is of a coarse, and hairy aspect, and colored
light green, edged with dark red. The flowers, set close, in the hold
of little bract-like leaves, are arranged spirally, in a round terminal
spike.
As the fresh blossoms climb upward the spike lengthens and becomes
club-shaped. The withered flowers cling long after their color has
faded; when newly opened, they are all yellow, their beak-like upper
lips only faintly flushed with the red, which, presently, assumes so
sanguinary a hue that there is some occasion for the waggery of the
local folk-name of “Beefsteak Plant.”
[Illustration: COMMON LOUSEWORT: Pedicularis Canadensis.]
*Wood Betony.* _Pedicularis lanceolata._
*Lousewort.*
Found in swampy places during August and September.
The sometimes branching stalk, from 1 to 2 or 8 feet in height, is
round, shining, and generally smooth, or with an occasional roughness.
Light green in color.
The long oval leaf is cut into oblong divisions, and the margin is
finely toothed, which increases its resemblance to a fern leaf; the
strong ribs show plainly, and the color is pale green, inclining to
yellow. The leaves, on short stems, are placed in pairs, which point at
right angles to each other.
The corolla has a curious one-sided look, because the curving beak-like
upper lip closes so tightly down upon the 3-lobed under lip as to push
it askew; its color is a pale and somewhat muddy yellow. The 2-parted
calyx is deep, and the tips spread; it is green. The flowers are set
within the hold of little curved and notched leaves like bracts, in
pairs, forming a terminal spike.
Only two or three flowers bloom at one time, and the withered corollas
cling long to the calices, which gives an untidy appearance to the
plant. The leaf and calyx are decorative in growth.
[Illustration: WOOD BETONY: P. lanceolata.]
*Indian Paint-brush.* _Castilleia coccinea._
*Painted Cup.*
Found in June, growing in low grounds, and wet meadows.
The single, leafy stalk rises from a cluster of root-leaves; it is 8 to
10 inches in height, somewhat square-angled, and hollow, of a tough,
rather course fibre, with a hairy surface. Color, dull crimson, the
short hairs being gray or white.
The root-leaves are oblong, seldom notched; on the stalk the lowest
leaves are narrow, while above they are wedge-shaped and generally
deeply cleft into 3 lobes; the margins are entire, and the surface is
hairy. In color a light clear green; the ends of the upper leaves and
those which supports the flowers look as though they had been dipped in
a scarlet dye. The leaves all sit immediately upon the stalk; they are
placed alternately, and at some distance apart, but more crowded among
the flowers.
The small corolla of the flower is tubular and 2-lipped, yellow and
green in color; it is almost concealed within the long cylindrical
2-cleft calyx, which is colored a clear light green with a scarlet
margin. The long curving pistil is green tinted. The flowers are set in
the clasp of the upper leaves, and form a close terminal cluster.
Quite eclipsed by the gorgeous hues of the floral leaves and calices,
the paler flower hides its head, its long pistil alone claiming
attention. The exact marking of the vivid scarlet upon the tips makes
the folk-name “Paintbrush” more applicable to its general aspect, than
that of “Painted Cup,” which of course only applies to the effect
of the single calyx. In some localities the color is not scarlet,
but yellow, it is reported. The plant is called a parasite by the
botanists: it therefore may not be transplanted but glows in splendid
patches of color in favorite camps of its own choosing.
[Illustration: INDIAN PAINT-BRUSH: Castilleia coccinea.]
*Thyme-leaved Speedwell.* _Veronica serpyllifolia._
*Paul’s Betony.*
Found, from May to July, in grassy fields, and along roadsides.
Many branches, varying from 3 to 7 inches in length, spring from the
root, and lie on the ground (sometimes rooting so), their tips lifted
erect among the grass blades; its growth is slender, leafy, firm of
fibre, and smooth. Color green.
The small leaf is oval, with an entire, or slightly irregular, margin,
prominent midrib, and smooth surface. In color, a cool green; the
leaves, on short stems, are placed in pairs, near together,--at the end
of the branch they become crowded.
The corolla is small, and resembles that of the Brooklime; delicate in
texture and in color pure white, or streaked with lavender, or blue.
The points of the 4-parted green calyx just show between the lobes of
the flower. The two stamens are lavender tipped. The flowers, on small
foot-stems, spring from the angles of the leaves for a considerable
distance along the ends of the branches.
Contrary to the usual habit of the Speedwells these flowers do not fall
immediately after they are picked.
[Illustration: THYME-LEAVED SPEEDWELL: Veronica serpyllifolia.]
*American Brooklime.* _Veronica Americana._
Found by roadside runlets, and meadow brooks, in June and July.
The rather large stalk, sometimes creeps and then lifts itself to the
height of 10 or 15 inches; it is hollow, juicy, and fine-fibred, and
smooth. Pale green in color.
The long, oval leaf has a grooved midrib and slightly notched margin;
it is juicy, and smooth. In color light green. The leaves, on short
broad flat stems, that clasp the stalk, are placed in pairs, at right
angles to each other.
The little circular corolla is cut into 4 scallops, of which 3 are
round-pointed and of equal size, while the fourth is narrower and a
trifle longer; the texture is delicate. The color is very pretty, a
lavender-blue with slightly darker markings,--the center is white; the
2 stamens are pale purple. The calyx is 4-parted, the divisions narrow
and pointed; green. The flowers, set on thread-stems, are placed in
little, loose, terminal spires.
A first cousin to the Speedwell of English poetry. These tiny blossoms
fall almost as soon as they open their pretty blue eyes, therefore let
the observer rest content, without trying to pluck the tender stalks.
[Illustration: AMERICAN BROOKLIME: V. Americana.]
*Common Speedwell.* _Veronica officinalis._
*Upland Speedwell.*
Found in dry uplands and light woods in June and July.
The leafy stalk lies along the ground, with the flower-stems rising
from it; it is round, downy, and tough. In color green.
The oval leaf, broad and rounded at the tip, tapers at the base into an
exceedingly short stem: the edge is notched, and the surface downy. The
leaves are set in pairs, and are of a rather light green color.
The small 4-parted flower shows the mark of the Speedwells in the
inequality of the divisions, the lower one being much narrower than
the other three. There are two stamens, a pistil, and a small green
4-parted calyx. The flowers are closely set on slender spires, rising
from the angles of the leaves. Their color is a light lavender, lined
with a darker tone.
The flat, heart-shaped pods ripen on the lower part of the spire
while the upper part continues to bloom; the flowers speed quickly
away,--with a glance, almost, they are gone, so lightly are they held
in their green cups.
[Illustration: COMMON SPEEDWELL: V. officinalis.]
*Mullein.* _Verbascum Thapsus._
*High Taper.*
*Candlewick.*
Found on dry, sandy soil, in fields, and among rocks, from June to
September.
The single, leafy stalk rises from a foot-tuffet, to the height of 3 or
4 feet, usually, although it varies considerably; it is round, stout,
and tough-fibred, covered with wool, which tempers the green and makes
it whitey in tone.
The large (from 6 to 12 inches long) foot-leaves have very prominent
ribs which show chiefly underneath, entire margins, and are thick, like
a blanket with a very woolly surface; the stalk leaves are smaller,
and more pointed, and are attached to the stalk for a part of their
length,--they are otherwise like the large leaves. In color a whitish
green.
The corolla is rather large, somewhat unequally 5-parted with rounded
lobes, it is of a fine texture and smooth; in color, a clear pale
yellow. The tips of the 5 stamens are orange; the pistil is green,
and so is the 5-parted, woolly calyx. The flowers are set closely and
numerously in a long, compact, club-shaped, terminal spike.
When the flower-stalk shoots up the foot-tuffet withers, and loses the
richer color which, in spring, belongs to its leafage. The rosette
forms in the fall,--if potted and wintered in the house, free from the
choking dust of the highway, it develops a superfine quality of wool.
[Illustration: MULLEIN: Verbascum Thapsus.]
*Moth Mullein.* _Verbascum Blattaria._
Found, during July and August, on sand-banks, pastures, and waysides.
The leafy, large, round stalk grows to be 2 or 3 feet high; it is
tough-fibred, and the surface is ridgy and smooth; light green.
The large leaf is oblong in shape with an irregularly notched and
toothed margin; its stout midrib is flattened above, all the ribs
and veins show plainly, the texture being thin and smooth, the upper
surface somewhat glossy. The lowest leaves are on short stems, the
others are somewhat clasping; they are placed alternately, and near
together. The color is a pleasing green.
The corolla is like the common Mullein in shape and texture; in color
either yellow, or white, tinted with lavender. The 5 stamens, with
curiously shaped, red-orange tips, are fringed with a double row of
dull crimson, woolly threads; the pistil, also, is orange-tipped; the
calyx is 5-parted, with slender tips. The flowers, on slender stems,
are placed alternately, in long, leafy spires. All the calices, little
leaves, and foot-stems are covered with fine woolly hairs.
The bud is 5-sided, and the seed-box is a good deal inflated. The
peculiar orange of the stamen tips resembles a flowering moss,--their
woolly fringe, of course, occasions the name. This elegantly growing
plant, with its interesting leaf, is common only in certain localities.
[Illustration: MOTH MULLEIN: V. Blattaria.]
*Downy False Foxglove.* _Gerardia flava._
*Downy Gerardia.*
Found in the shade of woods, in July.
The single, leafy stalk, which grows to be 3 or 4 feet high, is square,
and hollow; of a stiff, strong fibre, downy with soft hairs. Dull rusty
green in color.
The long narrow leaf is broadest at the base, with a tapering tip,
the margin is entire or slightly toothed near the base (the edge of
the lower leaves being somewhat wavy), the texture is rather thick,
and the surface is downy, and like velvet to the touch; the color is
yellow-green, slightly pinkish on the midrib. The leaves, on short,
downy, purple tinted stems, are set in pairs, at right angles to each
other.
The corolla is shaped like an urn, with 5 spreading, rounded lobes,
their edges curving or even curling in toward the center; the texture
is very fine and thin, showing the veins; the large throat is downy
on the inside; sometimes the margin is crinkled; the color is a pure
yellow. The 4 yellow stamens are divided into a long and a short pair;
the pistil is green. The calyx is 5-parted with a noticeable rounded
cleft between the divisions; it is half as long as the corolla, very
downy, and green. The flowers, on short stems, are placed in pairs in
the angles of the leaves forming a terminal spike.
Since the buds all incline to one side there is literally a back view
to the spike. The flowers remain some days in the fullness of bloom,
and as many as a dozen may be observed together on a single stalk; long
after they have fallen the pistil lingers. The bud is very round at the
tip, and exceptionally shining with a gloss that is lost to the opened
blossom.
[Illustration: DOWNY FALSE FOXGLOVE: Gerardia flava.]
*Yellow Gerardia.* _Gerardia pedicularia._
*False Foxglove.*
Found on the edges of dry woods through August and September.
The stalk (from 2 to 8 feet in height) is branching, and very leafy,
round, and soft to the touch, being covered with fine down. Its color
is light green.