Part 32

The leaf is small, round-oval, widest at the base, thin but tough of texture, with a smooth surface that shines when new-grown; the margin is entire, and the midrib important. The young leaves are a bright cool green, lighter underneath; the older growths become dark and bluish green, the ribs and veins marking them with a light tracery. The leaves, on short stems, are arranged in pairs.

The corolla, in the shape of a slender tube spreading into 4 points, is covered thickly in the inside with cottony down, while the outside is smooth; the color is creamy-white, the outside delicately tinted creamy-pink. The little green calyx is 4-parted. The flowers bloom in pairs, their seed-boxes united and set on a single stem, placed terminally. The buds are pink.

Two kinds of flowers are borne on this plant, in one the 4 stamens protrude from the tube and the pistil does not show, in the other the 2-parted pistil is very noticeable and the stamens are retired. The delicious fragrance of the blossoms perfumes the whole woods where it grows. The small oval berry with its two openings is loved by children, because it is of a light coral-red color, and edible, though rather tasteless.

*Button-bush.* Cephalanthus occidentalis.

Found on low, moist ground, and along borders of ponds, in June and July.

A shrub from 3 to 5 feet high, with a stout, woody stem, covered with a smooth reddish-brown bark.

The leaf, tapering at both ends, is 3 or 4 inches long, on a short foot-stem; the surface is usually smooth, and the texture tough; of a strong green color.

The small, tubular flower is 4-parted at the top, and of a dull, white color. Many flowers are set together in a dense, round head, with the pistils radiating in all directions. These sweet-scented flower-balls grow on foot-stems, 2 or 3 inches long, in clusters of 3 to 5 or 7, from the ends of the branches.

The Button-balls ripen in October, and are then noticeable among the plentiful pods and berries of the season. They are dull red and green in color, turning to a fine brown with the touch of frost. Picked early in the season they make a pleasing addition to the pod-gatherer’s winter collection.

*Small Bedstraw.* Galium asprellum. *Cleavers.*

Found in blossom through August and September, in moist or swampy tangles and thickets.

The stalk is branching, but very weak-fibred, leaning on sturdier plants for support, or lopping over; it is square, and closely set along the angles with many minute downward-pointing prickles, by means of which it clings or “cleaves” to its neighbors; color, a light green.

The small leaf is rounded at the tip, has an entire margin, and a smooth upper surface; beneath, the edges and midrib are set with prickles. The leaves grow in whorls of 4 or 6, close upon the stalk, at regular intervals. The color is a pretty yellow-green.

The minute white corolla is 4-pointed, or occasionally 3-pointed, with the same number of stamens; the calyx is green, and the foot-stems are very small. The flowers grow in branching clusters from the whorls of leaves.

Though a pretty plant growing, it is not a pickable one, as its weak stems get themselves inextricably entangled and caught on their own armor.

COMPOSITE FAMILY.

COMPOSITÆ.

*Plantain-leaved Everlasting.* Antennaria plantaginifolia. *Spring Everlasting.* *Pussy-toes.*

Found in light soil, meadows, and uplands, in April and May.

The short, leafy stalk, covered with a silvery wool, runs on the ground, and is from 3 to 10 inches in height. Pale green in color.

The small, broad-oval leaf is rounded at the tip, 3-ribbed, of a tough fibre, and, when young, covered with a silky white wool. It is set on a short, margined stem. In color, light grayish-green.

The flowers are gathered in small heads,--the stamen-bearing and pistil-bearing flowers growing on different plants. The pistil-bearing heads are like little bundles of silky threads, silvery white; the stamen-bearing heads are more rounded in shape, and of a creamy-white color, the tawny stamens being tipped with orange. The heads are set in pale green, urn-shaped, small cups, on short foot-stems, forming a little group on the top of the flower-stem.

Spring Everlasting spreads rapidly by runners sent out from the main plant, and its grave prettiness does not save it from being considered a troublesome pest by the farmer looking for good grass pasturage for his herd.

*Dandelion.* Taraxacum officinale.

Found, during April and May, in every sunny meadow, lawn, and grassy road.

The leaves, and the flowers on stems which vary from 3 or 4 to 12 inches in height, rise from the root.

The long and narrow leaf is often and irregularly cut, the notches generally pointing backwards, and the margin is also sharply toothed; the texture is close, the surface is smooth, and the midrib is wide; the edge is wavy. In color, grass green, the midrib pale. Many leaves grow in a rosette-like cluster from the root,--the flower buds held in the center.

The small “strap-shaped” flowers, with their notched ends, are gathered in overlapping rows, to form a large circular head; in color they are a brilliant orange-yellow, the central flowers deeper in tint. The head is confined in a cup of many narrow, dark green, leafy bracts, and set on long, smooth, elastic stems, which are hollow, and juicy with a bitter-flavored milk.