Part 4

WILD FLOWERS OF THE NORTH-EASTERN STATES.

CROWFOOT FAMILY.

RANUNCULACEÆ.

*Hepatica.* Hepatica triloba. *Liverwort.* *Liver-leaf.*

Found in April and May, on hillsides, along the edge of woods, and in rocky ground.

The leaf-stems and flower-stems rise from the ground to the height of 4 or 6 inches.

The leaf is heart-shaped, and 3-lobed, of a tough, strong fibre that often survives the winter. Its color is dark green above and dull violet beneath.

The beautiful flower is composed of 6 to 9 petal-like calyx-parts, of an oval shape, and thin texture, whose color varies from light to dark violet, and from lavender-tinted white to a very pink-lavender, or lilac; the stamens are many, and thread-like, and of a pale straw color. Close beneath the flower are 3 reddish-brown, downy little leaves, bearing the semblance of a calyx. The flower is set on a slender, very downy stem, which springs from amidst the leaves.

The harmony of color in this plant as seen in the flower and leaf is striking, a preponderance of violet showing throughout. It is very downy, the young leaves being covered with long silky hairs. The numerous half-opened flowers and buds are slightly nodding, but become more erect when fully spread in the sunlight. The Hepatica is often frequented by small lavender butterflies, in size and color resembling the blossoms,--when they rise and flutter in the soft spring air, it is as though the flowers themselves are taking flight.

*Marsh Marigold.* Caltha palustris. *Cowslips.*

Found in late April and early May, in swamps or wet meadows, with its roots in the water.

The branching stalk, from 6 to 10 inches in height, is thick, stout, hollow and juicy, and grooved at the joints; its color is a shining light green.

The leaf is very broad, almost round, with a heart-shaped base, the margin finely cut in slight scallops; the texture is thin but leathery, while the surface is smooth and glossy; the color is dark green. The leaf is set at the junction of the flower-stem with the stalk.

The flower has 5 (or more) rounded petal-like calyx-parts, of a delicate texture that shows a few veins on the inside; it is shaped like a shallow cup and colored a beautiful polished yellow, tinged with green; the many stamens are yellow; the pistils form a conspicuous fringy center. Two or three flowers, on simple, or sometimes leafy foot-stems, form a terminal group.

The buds are round and quite green, turning yellow as they grow; the blossom opens very wide, and is slightly odorous,--it is in marked contrast to the coarser stem and leaf, which have a sprangly gesture. The first sunshine flower of spring.

*Wind Flower.* Anemone nemorosa. *Wood Anemone.*

Found in thickets that yet are open to the sun, in early May or perhaps late in April.

The single stem, about 6 inches in height, is round and smooth and green, showing purple at the foot. It bears a whorl of leaves about midway its height, and a single flower upon its summit.

The compound leaf has from 8 to 9 wedge-shaped leaflets, that are sightly creased on their midribs, and irregularly notched on the edges; the texture is delicately thin, and the color a lovely green. Three leaves on their short reddish stems are placed in a whorl.

The flower is like a shallow cup formed of 5 oval, petal-like calyx-parts that curve like shells; it is of a very thin texture and slightly veined, and its color is pure white, often rosy tinted on the outside; the many dainty stamens are a pale straw color, and the pistils are gathered into a light green center.

A more charming plant could hardly be imagined,--stem, leaf, and blossom are alike perfect in growth and harmony of hue. Its bud nods, but the fully open flower lifts itself lightly atop the slender swaying stem. The Wind Flower is social in habit, and gathers in lovely fellowship with its kind upon a favorable hillside.

*Tall Anemone.* Anemone Virginiana.

Found during July and August in meadows, roadsides, and woods.

The single stalk usually forks midway for the flowers; it grows between 2 and 3 feet high, and is slender and slightly rough to the touch. In color it is light green.

The compound leaf is 3-divided, the middle leaflet being 3-parted, and the side leaflets 2-parted; the margins are notched, and the fibre is tough, while the surface is rough-hairy; the color is green. The leaves grow in a whorl of 3 about the stalk.

The flower is a shallow cup, composed of 5 petal-like calyx-parts, hollowed like shells, of a greenish-white color; the pistils are many, rising in a cylindrical greenish head in the center; the stamens are numerous, and pale. The flowers are set on long slender stems which rise from the whorl of leaves; these stems often fork again at half their length, where in that case, they bear a pair of small leaves, from which the 2, or more, secondary flower-bearing stems arise.

Less gregarious than its early sister, the Tall Anemone grows solitary, or in twos and threes,--frequently beside an old stump. The cylindrical or elongated head turns brown and becomes cottony when the seeds are ripe. The tall elegance of this plant is noteworthy; it bears its leaves, flowers and seeds with an air of distinction, and the long wand-like stems suggest the strings of some musical instrument on which the wind may play, according to the old tradition that the Anemones love to bloom when the wind blows.

*Early Meadow Rue.* Thalictrum dioicum.