Part 14

Plate 24, fig. 4

The pink to rose-purple flowers of the Horse Mint form roundish heads at the tips of stiff stems 3-4 ft. tall. The plants grow in dense clusters in grassy meadows, thickets and on mountain-sides at 3000-9000 ft. The flowers bloom in midsummer and are worth cultivating in the garden. The common name refers to the tall or coarse stems.

Blue Sage Salvia Pitcheri

Plate 24, fig. 5

The slender stems of the Blue Sage grow 2-6 ft. tall and bear blue or bluish blossoms in terminal spikes. They bloom from midsummer to fall on prairies at 3000-7000 ft. The Red Sage of gardens is a near relative of the Blue Sage, which well deserves cultivation also. Some of the sages are used for making a tea or tonic.

Marsh Mint Stachys palustris

Plate 24, fig. 6

The purplish or reddish blossoms of the Marsh Mint are clustered in the axils of leaves on stems 1-3 ft. high. They bloom in midsummer and are found on moist banks across the continent at 4000-8500 ft. The Marsh Mint is sometimes called “Woundwort” on account of its formerly great reputation for healing wounds. Its surgical value may be doubted, though it certainly is somewhat astringent. It is useful, however, because of its edible roots. These are tuberous and when boiled form a wholesome and nutritious food of rather agreeable flavor. The young shoots of the plant may likewise be eaten, being cooked like asparagus, but though pleasant to the taste they have a strong and disagreeable smell.

Pennyroyal Hedeoma Drummondii

Plate 24, fig. 8

The tiny blue, pink or purple flowers of the Pennyroyal occur in open spikes on stems 4-8 in. high. They bloom in early and midsummer on dry plains and hills at 5000-7000 ft. The name Pennyroyal has no significance, as it is a corruption of an older name.

VERBENA FAMILY

Verbena, Vervain Verbena bracteosa

Plate 24, fig. 7

The tiny blue to purple flowers of the Verbena are grouped in dense heads on decumbent stems. They bloom all summer on prairies, plains and in waste places at 4000-7500 ft. The garden Verbena is a near relative of the wild Verbena and originally came from Brazil.

ROSE FAMILY

Wild Rose Rosa acicularis

Plate 25, fig. 1

The pale to deep pink flowers of the Wild Rose come into bloom in early summer. They grow on shrubs 1-3 ft. high which are found on hills, mountain-sides and in open woods at 5000-10000 ft. The scarlet and crimson fruits of the Wild Rose make the bushes ornamental even after the flowers have passed blooming.

Gold Cup, Potentilla Potentilla gracilis

Plate 25, fig. 2

The Potentillas may easily be mistaken for buttercups, though they actually belong to the Rose Family. The scientific name of the genus comes from a Latin word meaning powerful, and refers to the former use of the plants in medicine. This species, called Gold Cup on account of the shape and color of the blossoms, is bright yellow with an orange spot at the base of each petal. The flowers grow on graceful stems 6 in.-3 ft. high and bloom in midsummer. The plants grow in meadows and open woodlands at 5000-10000 ft.

Golden Avens Sieversia turbinata

Plate 25, fig. 3

The Golden Avens also looks like a buttercup with its cup-like, yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. The plants grow 4-20 in. high and are found on the higher peaks at 10000-14000 ft.

Pink Plumes Sieversia ciliata

Plate 25, fig. 4

The brilliant rose to purple coloring of this flower is found in the sepals, the petals being rather inconspicuous and cream-colored with rose veins. The nodding blossoms of Pink Plumes occur on graceful rose-colored stems 4-18 in. tall and bloom in early summer. They are found on hills at 8000-12000 ft. The fruits form feathery clusters after the petals have fallen.