Part 26

*Sundew.* Drosera rotundifolia.

Found on swampy ground in July and August.

A little plant growing close to the earth and sending up a flowering stem about 3 or 4 inches in height.

The small, round leaves, slightly hollowed like a shallow saucer, are tough, light green in color, and covered with short, curling, red hairs that exude a clear gummy liquid from their tips; they are set on short, flat stems, and arranged in a tuffet.

The small flower has its parts sometimes in fives and again in sixes; their white petals are rounded at the tips, and the calyx is light green; they are placed in a close, one-sided spire, that curls over at the tip, on the top of a slender, erect, red stem, rising from the middle of the leaf-cluster.

The red hairs on the leaves tipped with clear fluid sparkle as though with dew; this is the gummy substance that catches the unwary insects which alight and detains them to their everlasting doom,--it is said that this hairy little vegetable has a cannibal’s appetite for flesh, and draws nourishment from these victims. The Sundew grows close among the pale green swamp-moss, and can only be detected by close observation; when in bud it can be more easily discovered through its red flower-stem. It is extremely difficult to find it in blossom or to decide as to the conditions favorable to its unfolding,--when at length surprised, it will be found with only one flower open, its face set toward the zenith.

WITCH HAZEL FAMILY.

HAMAMELIDEÆ.

*Witch Hazel.* Hamamelis Virginiana. *Wych Hazel.*

Found from late September to November, by woodland pools,--near water always.

This is a shrub, or small tree, from 6 to 12 feet in height, with wide-spreading branches, very tough fibre, and a tight, firm bark, smooth and shining at the tips, of a mottled gray-brown color.

The large oval leaf, with its broad, flat shape, has a wavy and irregularly notched margin, many strong ribs, a tough texture, and a surface which is shining above, and hairy along the underside of the ribs; of a vigorous green color,--in autumn a strong gray-yellow. The leaves, on stout little foot-stems, are alternate.

The flower has 4 slender ribbons for petals, and 8 stamens (only 4 of which bear anthers), of a delicate greenish-yellow color; the calyx is small, and parted into 4 sharp divisions which show in the form of a square between the petals; it is downy, thin, and pale tawny in color. Beneath the calyx are 2 or 3 little bracts; and tough, bark-like, brown outer bracts hold 2 or 3 flowers in a close group upon a short stem; these groups are scattered all along the branches in the angles of the leaves.

Nothing of the spring approaches the mystery of this flower. Late in autumn the straggling Witch Hazel bushes, standing about a pool of dark water in front of bare woods, lift their full tawny leafage and evasive pale golden bloom against the lavender twiggery, and purple-gray sky, filling the air with their strange fragrance. Their seeds ripen during the following summer; they are brown, and nut-like, and the pods will burst with a subdued “pop-pop” if taken into a warm room.

EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY.

ONAGRACEÆ.

*Day and Night Primrose.* Œnothera pumila.

Found in June on sandy banks and dry pastures.

Its single leafy stalk, from 12 to 15 inches in height, is very slightly hairy, and somewhat shining. It is pale in color, inclining to dull pinkish.

The root-leaves are round at the tip, tapering to the base, and set on long stems; the upper leaves are long, and narrow, with stem-like bases; the margins are entire, the texture close and velvety to the touch; in color dull green, the foot-leaves pinkish slightly. Set near together, and alternately.

The 4 petals of the flower are heart-shaped, and spreading with a shallow curve, of a thin texture, which shows the veins, and in color a beautiful clear yellow; the calyx-tube is about a half-inch long, the part which contains the seed-box is thick, grooved, and green, the upper part is slender, and tinged with red: the 4 calyx-divisions are dry and pale. The flowers are set in the angles of the upper leaves.

According to Dr. Gray the blossoms of this plant which open in early sunlight do not go to sleep until eleven o’clock at night. For a space beneath the flowers the close-set leaves cease and the somewhat curving stalk is bare.

*Common Evening Primrose.* Œnothera biennis.

Found in pastures and roadsides, beginning to bloom in July and continuing until frost-time.

The stout and leafy stalk grows from 1 to 4 feet high; it is woody-fibred, hairy, and light green in color.

The narrow, lance-shaped leaf tapers at each end, and has a strong midrib, an irregular margin, and a very downy surface; in color green. The upper leaves clasp the stalk by a stem-like base, the lower ones with a strong, little foot-stem; they are alternately placed.

The 4 large heart-shaped petals, of a fine, thin texture, are a pure light yellow color; the 8 stamens are orange-tipped, and the 4 divisions of the calyx are pale yellow; they turn back upon its tube with a twisting gesture. This calyx-tube is over an inch in length, the lower half, which contains the seed-box, is enlarged, grooved, sticky to the touch, and shining green; the upper part is slender, smooth, and not sticky, and pale yellow in color. The flowers are set close on the stalk in the hold of the leaves.

After its one night’s fragrant perfection, the withered blossom hangs for a day or two, before its calyx-tube severs itself from the seed-box as neatly as though cut by a knife. It is only by chance that the clarity of the flower’s yellow hue is seen, when, in some gray morning fog, a belated flower is caught full-blown. Sometimes the plant grows to the size of a bush; its fall seedling shows a flat tuffet of curious, white-marked lily-like leaves that hug the ground.