Part 20

The purple-blue flowers of the Bluebell droop gracefully at intervals along their slender stems and bloom all summer long. The plants grow but a few inches tall in the alpine regions where each bears but a single blossom, but they are sometimes 3 ft. high at lower altitudes, especially in the shade. They are found on foothills and in mountain meadows and aspen woodlands at 6000-13000 ft. This species is the true Bluebell of Scotland.

Alpine Bluebell Campanula uniflora

Plate 36, fig. 6

The Alpine Bluebell is a tiny plant, growing but 2-5 in. tall on account of the effect of the high altitudes at which it lives. The single blossom is a deep purple-blue and hangs from the tip of the fragile stem. The botanical name of the species means “one-flowered.” The plants bloom in early summer and must be sought in alpine meadows at 11000-14000 ft.

VALERIAN FAMILY

Valerian Valeriana silvatica

Plate 36, fig. 3

The tiny pale pink flowers of the Valerian grow in flat-topped clusters at the tips of straight stiff stems, 1-3 ft. tall. They bloom in early summer in fir and spruce forests at 8000-11000 ft. The botanical name of this species refers to the fact that the plants are forest-lovers. Some species of Valerian are used in medicine as a sedative and for various nervous troubles, and one has an edible root. They have a strong unpleasant odor which cats and rats like. The leaves are efficacious in healing wounds.

ASTER FAMILY

Blazing Star Laciniaria punctata

Plate 37, fig. 1

The Blazing Star receives its name from the dense spikes of brilliant red-purple blossoms. These bloom in late summer and autumn and are found on prairies, plains and foothills at 3000-6000 ft. The plants are unbranched and grow 6-18 in. tall. This species is the least beautiful of several native blazing stars that deserve a place in the wild garden.

Blue Lettuce Lactuca pulchella

Plate 37, fig. 2

The pale blue-lavender flowers of the Blue Lettuce grow in clusters on plants 3-6 ft. high. They bloom in midsummer and are found along roadsides and in meadows at 3000-6000 ft. Several varieties of lettuce have narcotic properties, while the value of the garden lettuce is too well-known to need comment.

Sheath Flower Coleanthus grandiflorus

Plate 37, fig. 3

The pale yellow blossoms of the Sheath Flower hang from their stalks like inverted thimbles and bloom in midsummer. The name refers to the tiny bracts that sheathe the flower-heads closely and turn reddish brown with age. The plants are much branched, 1-4 ft. tall, and occur in meadows and thickets at 5000-9000 ft.

False Dandelion Agoseris glauca

Plate 37, fig. 4

The golden-yellow heads of the False Dandelion look very like those of its namesake. They bloom in midsummer and are found on plants 1-3 ft. tall, in mountain meadows and along brook-banks at 8000-11000 ft.

Goatsbeard, Salsify Tragopogon porrifolius

Plate 37, fig. 5

The Goatsbeard or Salsify bears large purple flower-heads with yellow centers at the tips of stiff, straight stems, 2-4 ft. tall. The plants have escaped from cultivation and may be found blooming all summer, along roadsides and in meadows at 4000-7000 ft. The roots of the Salsify are edible and are marketed under the name of “Oyster Plant.” The name “Goatsbeard” refer to the clusters of stiff hairy fruits.

ASTER FAMILY

1 Blazing Star: Laciniaria punctata 2 Blue Lettuce: Lactuca pulchella 3 Sheath Flower: Coleanthus grandiflorus 4 False Dandelion: Agoseris glauca 5 Goatsbeard, Salsify: Tragopogon porrifolius 6 Rose Thistle: Carduus undulatus 7 Hawksbeard: Crepis runcinata]

Rose Thistle Carduus undulatus

Plate 37, fig. 6