Part 27

*Great Willow Herb.* Epilobium angustifolium. *Fire-weed.*

Found by the wayside, and on newly cleared or burned lands, blossoming from June through August.

It has a simple, tall, and swaying stalk, from 3 to 6 feet high; it is round, and smooth, of a fine fibre, and inclined to red in color.

The long, narrow leaf has a general resemblance to that of the willow; it is smooth, firm, and fine in texture, and of a cool dark grayish-green color, and silvery beneath, with a light midrib. The leaves are alternate on the stalk, without foot-stems.

The 4 rounded petals of the flower curve into a short foot, or claw, at the base; they are of a fine and delicate texture, and a bright, clear crimson-pink color; the 4 long, pointed divisions of the red-brown calyx alternate with the pink petals; the pistil is 4-parted and curled spirally at the tip; the stamens 8. The flowers are poised on the top of the slender, silky, violet-tinged pods, and arranged in a loose, long, and curving spike, on the top of the stalk.

The plant gains its name of “Fire-weed” from its habit of springing up on newly burned woodlands. Seen in the sunshine its coloring is brilliant. Its long curving slender pods, bursting open lengthwise, set free a mass of fine silky down, the wings of the tiny seeds.

*Small Willow Herb.* Epilobium coloratum.

Found in damp ground, in meadows and ditches, in blossom in August and September.

Its erect branching stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high, and is strong-fibred, round, and smooth; color green, often a fine crimson.

The long, narrow leaf has a finely notched margin, a smooth surface, and a fine texture; dark gray-green in color. The arrangement is usually opposite, on very short foot-stems.

The small flower has 4 rounded petals, notched at the tip; they are a pale violet-tinted white; there are 8 small stamens, and a club-shaped pistil,--all pale yellow; the 4-parted calyx is green. The flower is set on the top of the slender pod.

In the autumn the mass of downy pods and crimson-red stems make of this unpretentious plant a pleasing bit of color; its fine qualities of texture contribute to its attractiveness.

*Enchanter’s Nightshade.* Circæa alpina.

Found in cool damp shade during July and August.

The thick and juicy stalk, which grows from 4 to 8, or even 10, inches in height, is round, and smooth, and branching. It is light green, red at the joints.

The heart-shaped leaf is rather large near the foot, with a coarsely notched margin, a thin texture, and smooth surface; light green in color. The leaves, on slender, short stems, are set in pairs, which occur at right angles to each other.

Its very tiny flower with the 2 round-tipped petals, 2 alternating thread stamens, and 2-parted calyx is all pure white, though the calyx-divisions, which turn downward, are slightly tinged with green. The flowers, on very tiny foot-stems, are scattered along very curving stems, which spring terminally, and from the angles of the upper leaves.

Found only in shady woods, this plant courts no notice, but gratifies its lovers with an indefinable charm of growth and color, as shy and evasive as the dim light of the silent woodland spaces it inhabits.

GOURD FAMILY.

CUCURBITACEÆ.

*One-seeded Bur-cucumber.* Sicyos angulatus. *One-seeded Star-cucumber.*

Found in blossom from July to September, on moist ground, and along river banks.

A vine, with a coarse, rough stem, climbing by aid of little spirally twisted tendrils.

The broad leaf is more or less 5-pointed, or lobed, with a heart-shaped base, and a long tapering tip; the surface is roughened by small hairs, and the texture is loose and coarse; it has a short foot-stem, and is bright green.

The small 5-pointed flowers are of two kinds; the stamen-bearing ones, in clusters of 4 or 5 on a long foot-stem, spring from the angles of the leaves, while the seed-bearing blossoms are in almost stemless clusters close in the angles: they are greenish white, with yellow stamens.

A single large seed is enclosed in a flattened, pointed pod, which is armed with many fine, tough, bristles, that are easily detached in plucking and are irritating to the skin. The vine has a great number of tendrils.

PARSLEY FAMILY.

UMBELLIFERÆ.