Part 45

*Cardinal Flower.* Lobelia cardinalis.

Found on the margins of small streams, in light shade, and in low moist ground, from July to October.

The single, rather large stalk is round, and somewhat irregularly grooved, smooth to the touch, and a full green color. It grows from 2 to 4 feet high.

The leaves are generally from 2 to 3 inches in length, tapering at both ends with the veins distinctly showing, and irregularly toothed margins; their texture is fine, and the color a full dark green. They are set immediately upon the stalk, in an alternate arrangement.

The irregular corolla is somewhat 2-lipped, with a long slender tube which is split down its upper side; the lower lip is broad and 3-cleft, the upper being narrow and in 2 parts; its color is a deep and glowing red, with a darker spot near the throat upon the lower lip. The pistil and 5 stamens, which curve outwards noticeably, are of a lighter red color with fine gray tips; the calyx is 5-parted and green. The flowers are arranged in a long, usually one-sided, spike.

Coming into bloom when the midsummer vegetation is growing dusty, this plant fills the eye with the richness of its dark green leafage toned into perfect accord with the glowing hue of its flowers,--their color a truly royal one, of unusual depth as well as brilliancy. The Cardinal Flower should not be plucked ruthlessly, lest it be exterminated, an ever-present danger to the beautiful annuals man appreciates. It can be cultivated from the seed with considerable success.

CAMPANULA FAMILY.

CAMPANULACEÆ.

*Venus’ Looking-glass.* Specularia perfoliata.

Found in blossom from June through July, among the grass, in open fields, and on hills.

The simple stalk grows from 12 to 20 inches high; it is somewhat angled, and roughened on the angles; rather weak in fibre it leans against the surrounding vegetation. It is of a light green color.

The small, shell-shaped leaf is broad, heart-shaped at the base, with a scalloped margin. The leaves are strung on the stalk, alternately, at short distances; they are stiffish in texture, and light green in color.

The deeply divided 5-pointed corolla is a deep reddish-violet; there are 5 stamens, and the pistil is 3-parted; the long, cylindrical, green calyx has 5 slender points. The flowers grow from the angles of the leaves, there being usually a number open at once toward the top of the stalk.

The lower flower buds do not open, ripening their seeds without the show of blossoming. As the flowering season advances the stalk lengthens out into a long wand, strung with shell-like little green leaves, each one holding in its hollow a seed-case.

*Harebell.* Campanula rotundifolia.

Found during July and August in rocky soil, along roadside thickets; in damp shade, or on exposed and barren uplands.

The stems of this lovely plant are very slender, like leafy wands, from 10 to 16 inches in height; they are firm and fine in fibre, smooth and shining, and bronzy-green.

The grass-like leaf is about an inch long, fine and thin and smooth; its color betrays the violet hues that temper all the green parts of the plant.

The blossom varies in size rather noticeably. Its corolla is shaped like a bell with 5 small pointed tips which curve outward to show the long lavender pistil with its malachite-green tip; the texture of the bell is delicately thin and yet firm, and the color an exquisite violet, which ranges from pale lavender, or even almost white, to a reddish-purple hue. The green calyx is 5-parted, its divisions very slender, half as long as the bell, and clinging closely to its shape. The many blossoms nod on thread-like stems.

In early spring the Harebell plant consists of a tuffet of small, round, slightly notched leaves, on spreading stems; these mostly disappear when the flowering stems begin to rise. In part, the swaying, flexile grace of gesture belonging to these flowers may be due to the light way in which the bells are caught in their tiny calices. When advanced in maturity the pistil becomes 3-parted and loses its vivid green tip. The Harebell is commonly credited with a love of shade, but it is frequently found in the crevices of exposed rock-ledges; and a favorite haunt, in one instance, is a bare mountain ridge, covered only by thick dry gray mosses, where these lovely bells nod amidst the Ebony Fern leaves (A. ebeneum), in thrifty vigor under the broad sunlight.

*Bellflower.* Campanula rapunculoides.

Found in July on dry roadsides, and along walls and fences.

The stalk is single and leafy, slender, and slightly rough with hairs, from 2 to 4 feet in height; light green.

The root-leaves are small, and heart-shaped, with scalloped margins, set on stems that are sometimes 6 inches long. The lowest leaves along the stalk are shaped like an Indian arrow-point; the upper leaves are long and narrow: the margins are irregularly toothed, they are thin in texture, hairy, and light green; and are set on short broad stems which clasp the stalk alternately.

The corolla is bell-shaped with 5 outward-curving, tapering tips, and a beautiful violet-blue color; the pistil is 3-parted, protruding, and purple tinted; the green calyx is 5-parted, its divisions abruptly turned back. The flowers are set along one side of the stalk in the angles of the small upper leaves, forming a long wand-like spire.

Although the flowers bloom first at the base of the spire, frequently, when the tip has begun to hang out its noticeable bells, fresh buds will push forth far below, and open beside the old dried blossoms at the foot,--for the withered flower clings long to the calyx.

HEATH FAMILY.

ERICACEÆ.