Part 10

(A) Common Dandelion (_Taraxacum officinale_) although an immigrant to our land, has extended its range from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and is as well, or better known, as any other wild flower that we have. As every one knows its green, jagged leaves form a staple article of food and can be purchased in markets in spring at so much per peck. This species, with its large, flat, rosette of leaves and bright sunny flowers needs no description; it is well shown on the accompanying plate. All parts contain a bitter milky juice that exudes freely whenever the plant is broken.

The dandelion blooms most abundantly during the spring months but may be also found during every other month, even in winter. The name dandelion, of course, refers to the jagged edge of the leaves.

(B) Red-seeded Dandelion (_Taraxacum erythrospermum_) is a smaller species, also European, with more deeply cut leaves (pinnatifid) and with reddish-brown seeds, whereas those of the preceding species are usually olive-green. Common in dry fields from Me. to Pa. and westward to the Mississippi.

(A) Sow Thistle (_Sonchus oleraceus_) (European). This species is not a real thistle at all and the name “Sow” is applied rather as a term of derision, signifying spurious or worthless.

The stem is stout, smooth, grooved, hollow, and succulent; it attains heights of 1 to 6 feet. The leaves are shaped more like those of the dandelion than a thistle, but are armed with soft spikes. The small, thistle-like flower-heads are light yellow; they grow in loose clusters, terminating the branches.

(B) Wild Lettuce (_Lactuca canadensis_) is one of the rankest-growing of our native plants. The milky-juiced, branching, smooth stem ranges in heights from 3 to 10 feet. The leaves are all very angular, cut, toothed, and gouged in all manner of forms. Those near the base of the stem are very large, often attaining lengths of more than a foot. They become smaller and less deeply lobed as they mount the stem, the upper, small ones being almost entire edged. The small, yellow-rayed flowers are numerous but uninteresting. At maturity they are succeeded by silky beards of down, proceeding from the deep vase-like involucres.

(A) Rattlesnake-weed (_Hieracium venosum_) is commonly found in dry sandy places and in open woods. It can readily be recognized by the tuft of spatulate leaves spreading from the root, each leaf having strong veinings of purple.

A solitary stem, branching slightly at the top, grows from the centre of the tuft of leaves. The flower-heads are composed of bright, golden-yellow rays seated in a rather deep involucre; they resemble little dandelions but the rays are fewer in number. Rattlesnake-weed blooms from June until September and ranges from Me. to Minn. and southward to Ga.

(B) Canada Hawkweed (_Hieracium canadense_) is a smooth, slender, leafy-stemmed species. Besides the large, spreading, basal ones, the stem is alternately set with stemless, lance-shaped, sharply toothed, light green leaves. The flowers are practically like those of the last species. In October, they are replaced by little brownish globes of down. Canada Hawkweed is common on the borders of woods from Newfoundland to British Columbia south to N. J., Mich., and Oregon. It blooms from July until September.

KEYS TO FLOWERS BY COLOR

The flowers are grouped under their most conspicuous colors, the ones the novice would be most apt to call them. As far as possible the smallest flowers are placed first in each section.

WHITE AS THE CHIEF FLOWER-COLOR

False Spikenard—Tiny; clustered 32 False Solomon’s Seal—3 leaves on stalk 33 Meadow Rue—Filmy cluster; 3-lobed leaves 69 Sundew—Raceme; leaves hairy, basal 81 Saxifrage—Cluster; 5 petals; basal leaves 82 Mitrewort—Raceme; 5 petals; crystal-like 83 Foam Flower—Feathery spike; leaves basal 83 Meadowsweet—Spike-like cluster 84 White Clover—Triple leaves; round heads 95 Ginseng—Umbel; 3 compound leaves 121 Wild Carrot—Flat cluster; divided leaves 122 Catnip—Small clusters; aromatic 154 Rattlesnake Plantain—Tubular, spiked 55 Ladies’ Tresses—Spiral spike; tubular 55 Checkerberry—Tubular, pendent; evergreen 131 Partridgeberry—In pairs, 4-lobed 170 Violet—5 petals, lower large, veined 115 Star-of-Bethlehem—Umbel; grasslike leaves 41 Dutchman’s Breeches—2 sac-like spurs 77 Squirrel Corn—Tubular, heart-shaped 77 Toothwort—4 petals; 2 compound leaves 78 Star Flower—Above whorl of leaves 137 Bladder Campion—5 petals; inflated calyx 62 Evening Lychnis—5 notched petals 62 Anemone—5-6 sepals; delicate low herbs 70 Pipsissewa—Cluster; 5 waxy petals 124 Shin-leaf—Raceme; 5 waxy petals 125 Indian Pipe—Cold, clammy white; no green 125 Turtle-head—Tubular, 2-lipped; spiked 161 Cornel—4-parted involucre. Low herb 123 Bloodroot—Solitary; 6-10 petals 75 Mandrake—Solitary; 6 petals; large leaves 74 Fringed Orchis—Showy spike; lip fringed 50 Trillium—3 petals, 3 sepals; 3 leaves 38 Arrow-heads—Aquatic; 3 petals 19 Water Arum—Aquatic; large white spathe 21 Grass of Parnassus—5 petals, green-veined 82 Azalea—Shrub; tubular, 5 spreading lobes 126 Laurel—Clustered, saucer-shaped; shrub 129 Atamasco Lily—Erect, 6-parted; solitary 41 Lady’s Slipper—Large, white, slipper-shaped 46 Dogwood—Shrub or tree; 4-parted involucre 123 Water Lily—Floating, numerous petals 66

BLUE AS THE CHIEF FLOWER-COLOR

Bluets—Tiny, 4-lobed; white, blue-tipped 170 Toadflax—Spurred, hooded, tiny lip 160 Forget-me-not—5 petals, yellow centre 150 Day Flower—2 petals; delicate; spathed 23 Pickerel-weed—Aquatic; showy spike 24 Mud Plantain—Aquatic; kidney-shaped leaf 24 Fringed Gentian—4 spreading, fringed lobes 141 Bugloss—Leafy racemes; tubular, 5 lobes 151 Lobelia—Leafy spike; 3-lobed lip 175 Blue-eyed grass—6-parted, white centre 44 Sundew—Raceme; leaves thread-like 81 St. Johnswort—Flesh color, 5 petals 111 Speedwell—Axillary racemes, 4 petals 163 Showy Orchis—Purple hood, white lip 54 Fringed Orchis—Showy spike; lips fringed 51 Cinquefoil—5-parted, calyx large 86 Lupine—Pea-like; 8-palmated leaflets 91 False Indigo—Pea-like; 3-palmate leaflets 91 Flax—5 large petals; tiny leaves 99 Vervain—5 petals, tiny; slender spikes 152 Self-heal—Short, stout spike; hooded 153 Skullcap—Spiked; tubular with hood and lip 153 Ground Ivy—Prostrate; axillary flowers 154 Monkey Flower—2-lobed upper; 3-lobed lower 162 Gerardia—Tubular, 5-lobed; linear leaves 164 Hepatica—6 petals; 3-lobed leaves; downy 73 Spiderwort—Small cluster; 3 petals; hairy 23 Violets—5 petals; lower large, veined 113 Loosestrife—Showy spike; 5 long petals 117 Milk-weeds—Axillary clusters; milky juice 146 Bittersweet—5 petals; yellow cone centre 157 Cranesbill—5 petals; palmate leaves 102 Virgin’s Bower—Large bell-shaped; 4 sepals 71 Meadow Beauty—4 petals; long curved pistil 118 Closed Gentian—Tubular, closed 143 Phlox—Corymbed; 5 spreading petals 149 Bluebell—Bell-shaped, 5-toothed; slender 173 Bellflower—Showy spike; 5-toothed corolla 173 Thorn Apple—Funnel-form, 5-pointed lobes 158 Morning Glory—Funnel-shaped; climbing 148 Blue Flag—3 petals; 3 sepals variegated 43 Wake Robin—3 petals, 3 sepals, 3 leaves 38

BLUE OR MAGENTA COMPOSITES

Iron-weed—Tubular florets; clustered 176 Blazing Star—Tubular florets; loose spike 176 Joe Pye Weed—Tubular florets; flat clusters 177 Burdock—Tubular florets; spiny involucre 201 Thistles—Tubular florets; spiny leaves 202 Asters—Blue or purple rays 182 Robin Plantain—Purple rays 191 Chicory—Blue rays, notched at tip 206

PINK AS THE CHIEF FLOWER-COLOR

Persicaria—Tiny, in slender spikes 59 Steeplebush—Steeple-like cluster 84 Red Clover—Trifoliate; round flower-head 94 Twinflower—In pairs; crimson inside 171 Dogbane—5-toothed, bell-shaped; spreading 144 Arbutus—Creeping; 5-parted, fragrant 131 Milkwort—Round scaly heads; small leaves 104 Fringed Polygalia—2 wing-like sepals 103 Pogonia—Solitary; broad, crested lip 53 Calopogon—Several; fringed leaf at top 52 Arethusa—Solitary; broad crested lip; erect 52 Bouncing Bet—5-parted, deeply lobed 63 Spring Beauty—5-parted; grass-like leaves 65 Willow Herb—4 petals, slender pods; spike 119 Azalea—Tubular, 5-lobed; long stamens; shrub 127 Laurel—Clustered; saucer-shaped 130 Moss Pink—Creeping; 5-notched petals 148 Sabbatia—Large; 10-12 petals; 2 inch across 140 Sea Pink—5 petals, crimson marks; showy 139 Rhododendron—5 petals, yellow spots; shrub 128 Rose Mallow—5 petals, large, 3 inch across 109 Wild Rose—5 large petals; spiny stems 89 Moccasin Flower—Large, slipper-shaped 47

RED AS THE CONSPICUOUS FLOWER-COLOR

Wood Lily—Deep orange-red, spotted, erect 28 Columbine—Pendulous; 5-spurred 72 Pitcher Plant—Leaves hollow 80 Pimpernel—Copper-red, 5 petals; sandy soil 137 Oswego Tea—Striking, tubular; round heads 156 Painted Cup—Floral leaves scarlet tipped 165 Coral Honeysuckle—Slender, yellow within 172 Cardinal Flower—Lip 3-lobed; velvety 174

ORANGE AS THE CHIEF FLOWER-COLOR

Jewel-weed—Pendent; bunch-like, spurred 106 Butterfly-weed—Terminal cluster, brilliant 145 Toadflax—Yellow spur and lip; orange palate 160 Trumpet Creeper—Large trumpet-shaped; vine 168 Turk’s Cap Lily—Reflexed, spotted; leafy 29 Day Lily—Erect; basal, sword-shaped leaves 27 Hawkweed—Rays in several ranks 208 Dandelions—Rays in several ranks 205 Tansy—Flat clusters, no rays 199 Golden-rods—Plume-like spikes; 5-12 rays 180 Golden Aster—Golden rays; sandy soil 178 Elecampane—Slender, yellow rays; disc 190 Sunflowers—Yellow rays, large disc 194 Cone-flower—Orange rays, purple cone disc 192 Ragwort—Orange rays and small disc 200

YELLOW AS THE CHIEF FLOWER-COLOR

Golden Club—Aquatic; club-shaped spike 21 Hop Clover—Cylindrical, scaly heads 96 Yellow Flax—Tiny flowers; tiny leaves 99 Hudsonia—Tiny flowers; scale-like leaves 112 Fly Honeysuckle—Axillary in pairs; tubular 171 Wood Sorrel—5 petals; delicate; trifoliate 101 Wild Indigo—Pea-like, racemed; trifoliate 92 Cinquefoil—5 petals; 5-palmate leaflets 86 Mustard—4 petals, slender pods; clusters 79 Celandine—4 petals, slender pods; orange juice 76 Yellow Star Grass—6 sepals; grass-like 42 Dog-tooth Violet—Solitary; 6 parted 31 Clintonia—6-parted; 3 oval, basal leaves 31 St. Johnswort—5 petals, many long stamens 110 Violet—5 petals; lower large, veined 116 Loosestrife—Showy spike; 5 petals, basal spot 134 Loosestrife—Axillary; leaves whorled in fours 134 Mullein—Long spike, 5 petals; wooly 159 Moth Mullein—Raceme; 5 large petals 159 Fringed Orchis—Showy spike; lip fringed 49 Cowslip—5 shining petals; clustered 67 Buttercup—5 shining petals 68 Partridge Pea—5 petals; pinnate leaves 93 Frostweed—5 petals; axillary; small leaves 112 Primrose—4 petals; coarse stem and leaves 120 Sundrops—4 petals; slender stem 120 Foxglove—Tubular, 5-lobed; leafy spike 164 False Jessamine—5-lobed; climbing, tubular 138 Yellow Pond Lily—Aquatic; floating leaves 66 Lady’s Slipper—Solitary, slipper-shaped 45 Canada Lily—Pendulous; leafy stem 30

BROWNISH, GREENISH, OR INCONSPICUOUS

Cat-tails—Cylindrical brown heads 17 Bur Reeds—Spherical brown-yellow heads 18 Indian Turnip—Large striped spathe 20 Skunk Cabbage—Large spathe set on ground 22 Solomon’s Seal—In pairs from axils; greenish 35 Cucumber-root—3, 3-parted, spider-like flowers 37 Green-fringed Orchis—Lips fringed; spiked 48 Wild Ginger—Tubular, 3-lobed; near roots 57 Stone Clover—Fuzzy gray heads; trifoliate 94 Ground Nut—Spherical, pea-like clusters 98 Wood Betony—2-lipped; clustered; fern-like 166 Beech Drops—Resembling little twigs 167

INDEX

A Achillea millefolium 198 Aconite 73 Aconitum uncinatum 73 Adder’s tongue 31 Agrimonia gryposepala 87 Agrimony 87 Agrostemma githago 61 Alfalfa 97 Allium 26 Anagallis arvensis 137 Anaphalis margaritacea 188 Anemone quinquefolia 70 ” Rue 70 ” patens 69 ” Wood 70 Anemonella thalictroides 70 Anthemis Cotula 198 Apios tuberosa 98 Apocynum 144 Aquilegia canadensis 72 Aralia nudicaulis 121 Arbutus 131 Arctium minus 201 Arethusa 52 Argemone mexicana 75 Arisæma 20 ” triphyllum 20 Aristolochia 57 Arnica mollis 200 Arrow-heads 19 Artichoke, Jerusalem 195 Arum, Water 21 Asarum canadense 57 Asclepiadaceæ 145 Aster acuminatus 187 ” cordifolius 184 ” ericoides 185 ” Heath 185 ” Heart-leaved 184 ” lævis 183 ” lateriflorus 186 ” linaritolius 187 ” multiflorus 185 ” New England 182 ” New York 183 ” Sharp-leaved 187 ” Smooth 183 ” Starved 186 ” umbellatus 187 ” vimineus 186 ” Wood 187 Avens 88 Azalea 126

B Baptisia australis 91 Baptisia tinctoria 92 Bean, Wild 98 Beard-tongue 161 Bee Balm 156 Beach Drops 167 Beggar-ticks 196 Bellflower 173 Bellwort 25 Betony, Wood 166 Bidens frondosa 196 ” lævis 196 Bindweed, Hedge 148 Bittersweet 157 Blackberry 85 Blazing Star 176 Bloodroot 75 Bluebell 173 Bluets 170 Blue-weed 151 Boneset 177 Bouncing Bet 63 Brassica nigra 79 Brauneria purpurea 191 Brooklime 163 Broom-rape 167 Bugloss 151 Bunchberry 123 Burdock 201 Bur-marigold 196 Bur Reeds 18 Butter-and-eggs 160 Buttercups 68 Butterfly-weed 145