Part 19

Purple Cactus Cactus viviparus

Plate 32, fig. 7

The many-petalled, starry blossoms of the Purple Cactus grow in groups on ball-like fleshy stems which are but a few inches tall and covered with radiating brown and yellow spines. They dot the prairies and foothills at 3000-7000 ft. and bloom in midsummer.

PARSLEY FAMILY

Mountain Parsley Pseudocymopterus montanus

Plate 36, fig. 7

The tiny yellow flowers of the Mountain Parsley are grouped, as in all the parsleys, in flat-topped clusters at the tip of the stem. They bloom in early and midsummer. In alpine meadows the flowers are burnt orange in color. The plants grow 1-2 ft. tall and may be found in forests, woodlands and meadows at 7000-12000 ft. The Mountain Parsley is related to the common parsley of kitchen gardens and also to Sweet Anise which is used to flavor confectionery.

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY

Twin Flower Linnaea borealis

Plate 36, fig. 4

As indicated by the name, the Twin Flowers grow in pairs. They are drooping, bell-shaped pink blossoms with a delicate fragrance and bloom in midsummer. The fragile stems are but 3-8 in. tall and are found in the moist shade of pine and spruce forests at 8000-12000 ft. The botanical name commemorates Linnaeus, the Father of Botany.

PARSLEY FAMILY

7 Mountain Parsley: Pseudocymopterus montanus

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY

4 Twin Flower: Linnaea borealis 5 Snowberry: Symphoricarpus occidentalis

BLUEBELL FAMILY

1 Purple Bellflower: Campanula Parryi 2 Bluebell, Harebell: Campanula rotundifolia 6 Alpine Bluebell: Campanula uniflora

VALERIAN FAMILY

3 Valerian: Valeriana silvatica]

Snowberry Symphoricarpus occidentalis

Plate 36, fig. 5

The Snowberry bears its pale pink flowers in drooping clusters on the spreading branches of bushes, which grow 2-5 ft. tall. They bloom in midsummer and may be found in meadows and thickets at 3000-7000 ft. The name refers to the snow-white berries which form the fruits.

BLUEBELL FAMILY

Purple Bellflower Campanula Parryi

Plate 36, fig. 1

The blossoms of the Purple Bellflower grow singly at the tips of slender stems and bloom in midsummer. They do not droop, as do many of the bluebells. They are found in mountain meadows at 7000-10000 ft. The plants are unbranched and small, growing but 4-12 in. tall. The name of the genus, Campanula, means “little bell.”

Bluebell, Harebell Campanula rotundifolia

Plate 36, fig. 2