Part 23

Like the Hardhack (S. tomentosa) the leaves turn upward, with a little arch in the stem; the central flower-spire blossoms first. The plant has a great elegance of line, and some of its details are admirable, such as the color of the stalk, and the especially pretty light brown seed-spires; the bark frequently splits into long shreds. The blossoms are fragrant.

*Steeple-bush.* Spiræe tomentosa. *Steeple-top.* *Hardhack.*

Found in open pastures, hillsides and lanes, during July and August.

The stalk bears prim branches, and is very leafy; woody-fibred, and strong, the surface being woolly. Pinkish-brown in color.

The leaf is oval, with a strong midrib, and a notched margin; the under surface is covered with wool of a whity-green color, the upper is full green in tone. The leaves, on scarcely perceptible stems, spring from the stalk with a strong and noticeable arch, which points them upwards; they are placed close together, and alternately.

The 5 petals are very small, round or slightly oval in shape, rosy-pink in color, as are the many stamens, which give a feathery look to the blossoms. The small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers are crowded in small spires, that are arranged closely in a fine-pointed terminal spire, which is often 3 inches in length.

The flowers open first at the tip of the spire, which thus frequently turns to pale brown, before the light green buds at the base begin to swell. The ripened seed-spires of the previous year, dried to a rich gray-red, or deep brown, are retained during the flowering season, and add much to the attractiveness of the plant. The upturned undersides of the leaves are often tinted with pale rose color, as though reflected from the blossoming spire; all along the middle of the stalk they are larger than at the foot, or near the flowers. Upland slopes, which offer favoring conditions to the plant, take on a perceptible tone of pink during the blossom-time because of its numerous presence,--it is unfortunate that farmers rate this gregarious habit as pestiferous.

*White Geum.* Geum album.

Found along roads, and moist and shady thickets, from June to September.

The zigzag branching stalk varies from 10 to 18 inches in height, and bears few leaves; it is tough, coarse fibred, and rough with hairs; it rises from a foot-tuffet of leaves. Of a brownish green color.

The root-leaves are large, and 3-divided into round, unequal, parts, with a round-scalloped margin, that is often wavy; and set on long hairy stems,--along which are sometimes scattered other indeterminate little leaflets; the upper leaves are simple, and narrow, or deeply 3-cleft, with uneven sharp-notched margins, and set on long stiff stems, which clasp the stalk with a pair of 3-notched wings; a few small leaves near the flowers are set close on the stalk clasping with small narrow wings. The surface is hairy, texture loose, and coarse; the color a crude green; the arrangement alternate.

The flower has 5 petals, oval shaped, with fine-pointed bases; the texture is thin and delicate, the edges curly; clear white in color; the stamens are fine, tipped with yellow; the many green pistils are gathered in a small conical head; the calyx is 5-parted, and green, with white edges; between the divisions is found a tiny thread-like point. The flowers are set on slender, leafy stems, which are terminal, and from the angles of the leaves.

The petals are so widely spread that the calyx is seen, from above, as a fine-pointed green star; after they fall the head develops long, wiry, green hooks, with which to grapple the heedless traveller. The growth is angular, and weedy.

*Common Agrimony.* Agrimonia Eupatoria.

Found in July and August, in shady copses, light woods, and thickets.

The small single stalk (from 1 to 2 feet in height) is dry fibred, and hairy. Green in color.

The leaflets are many, 5 to 7 usually, with small unformed leafkins irregularly placed between them upon the long stem; the leaflets are oval, and many ribbed, with toothed margins, of a loose texture, and hairy to the touch. The color is a strong green. The stem is hairy, clasping with a pair of flaring, toothed or entire wings. The leaves are alternate, and near together.

The small flower has 5 oval, short petals of fine texture, and a full yellow color; the many stamens are yellow with orange tips; the calyx is 5-parted, the divisions alternate with the petals, and of a strong green color. The flowers are arranged in a close round terminal spire.

When crushed the leaf exhales a faint spicy odor. The slender spire seldom holds itself stiffly erect, but bends and curves to one side, like a pretty green and gold plume; its seeds, round and rather flat, are sticky, and apt to go a’ travelling without an invitation, with the footman.

*Five-finger.* Potentilla Canadensis. *Common Cinquefoil.*

Found, from May to July, about dwellings and in pastures, and light shade; in sandy soil.

The root sends up a bunch of leaves, from which many long, slender, reddish runners spread; they vary much in length.

The compound leaves are 3-divided, with an appearance of being 5-parted the side leaflets are so deeply cleft into 2 divisions; the leaflets are wedge-shaped with noticeable ribs, sharply-toothed margin, thin texture, and downy surface. The color is a strong, full green, lighter underneath. The leaves, on long stems, rise from the root, or on very short stems are arranged along the running stems, in little groups, at rather long intervals apart.

The 5 heart-shaped petals of the flower are delicate in texture, and light pure yellow in color; the calyx is 5-parted, the divisions alternate with the petals, and with the 5 narrow bracts which hug the calyx closely,--all these parts are hairy, and green. The flowers, on slender stems, spring from the angles of the leaves, along the runners.

Sometimes the stems lift themselves nearly erect, but more often they lie upon the ground, where occasionally they throw out roots from the tufted leaves, and so cover the earth with a pretty interlacing network of green leaves, and red stems.

*Tall Cinquefoil.* Potentilla arguta.

Found among tall grasses in fields and meadows in June.

The stout leafy stalk grows between 2 and 3 feet high; it branches for the flowers, and is stout, woody-fibred, and hairy to the touch. The color is a pale yellow-green, with red-brown hairs.