Part 5

Found in rocky woods and hillsides during April and May.

The branching leafy stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high; smooth, round, and fine of fibre though strong; in color, green.

The leaf is 3 or 4 times divided, terminating in groups of 3 leaflets on short slender stems; the leaflets are small, rounding, slightly heart-shaped at the base, and their margins are notched in rounded scallops; the texture is exceptionally fine and thin, the surface smooth; the color, a fine cool green.

The flower is small and composed of 3 or 4 or 5 little, petal-like, pale green calyx-parts. Different plants bear the pistils and stamens; the flowers of the former are inconspicuous and sparse in comparison with those of the stamen-bearing plant: from these the many stamens, pale green faintly touched with tawny at the tips, droop on slender threads like little tassels. The flowers grow in loose clusters, on branching stems that spring from the leaf-joints.

The Early Meadow Rue is unobtrusive in color and form, but most graceful in gesture, and fine in the texture and finish of all its parts; the leafage has a fern-like delicacy, and the flower tassels of the stamen-bearing plant are airily poised.

*Tall Meadow Rue.* Thalictrum polygamum.

Found in June in wet meadows, both in the shade of thickets and in unsheltered fields.

The stalk, usually 3 or 4 feet high, attains, it is said, to even 9 feet sometimes; it is branching, and somewhat zigzag in growth; round, slightly ribbed, and smooth; green or purple, especially near the joints.

The leaf is highly compound, being composed of 3 long-stemmed divisions which are parted into 3 or 5 short-stemmed groups of 3 leaflets each; these leaflets are rounding in shape, entire,--save for the 1 to 3 round scallops at the tips,--of a fine and thin texture, and smooth surface; a network of delicate veins shows underneath; the color is a beautiful, cool, dark green, lighter underneath. The arrangement is alternate.

The flower is without petals; the numerous thread-like, white stamens, with their green tips, spread into feathery tufts, and are set on tiny stems in loose terminal clusters, and also in lesser groups on stems from the angles of the upper leaves.

An elegant plant, beautiful at all seasons with its distinguished-bearing, charming flower clusters, and quaint lavender-hued seed-heads; and especially attractive at the turn of the leaf, when its foliage takes on a delicate crimson tint toned by a grayish bloom.

*Rue Anemone.* Anemonella thalictroides.

Found in woods and on shady banks, in May.

The slender, erect stalk, 5 or 6 inches in height, is fine and smooth; in color, a light reddish-tinged green.

The leaf is compound, each part being set on a slender, rather long stem; the leaflets are small, broad, heart-shaped at the base, and 2- or 3-lobed near the tip; the texture is exceedingly fine, and smooth to the touch; the color is a dark grayish-green. The leaves form a whorl about the summit of the stalk, from which the flower-stems rise.

The flower is formed of 5 to 8 petal-like calyx-parts, which are oval, slightly convex, of a fine and delicate texture; in color, white, tinged with pale pink. The stamens are many, small, and orange yellow; the several pistils gathered in the center are green. The flowers are poised on slender stems, in groups, generally of 3, springing from the leaf-whorl.

The flowers and leaves rise from the earth together, the undeveloped flower, with bowed head, enfolded by the leaflets; as the plant pushes upward the blossoms grow, the central one developing first, the side ones later. At first the stamens and pistils are gathered together in a close green ball in the middle,--when the central flower has shaken out its yellow-tipped stamens fully, the side flowers begin to grow; thus the plant stays in bloom a long time--nearly two weeks.

*Goldthread.* Coptis trifolia.

Found during May in moist woods.

The root sends up flowers and leaves on stems from 3 to 5 inches high.

The leaf is compound with 3 small leaflets that are wedge-shaped, with notched margins, tough texture, and smooth, shining surface; it is set on a long slender stem. Evergreen, and of a dark green color.

The flower is small; of 5 or 7 narrow, tapering calyx-parts that are a fine silvery-white color. The true petals are inconspicuous and easily confused with the numerous stamens and pistils. The flower-stem is long and slender.

This has a shining flower and leaf. The bright yellow thread-like roots give it its common name.

*Cohosh.* Actæa spicata, var. rubra. *Red Baneberry.*

Found in the woods during May.

The small round smooth stalk branches near the top, and grows about 2 feet high. It is green, with a cool gray-white bloom.

The leaf is rather large, and compound, being 2 or 3 times divided; the leaflets are oval, taper-pointed, and set on long, grooved, shining foot-stems; the margin is prettily toothed, with an occasional deep notch, the ribs and veins show like a fine network, the texture is loose, with a noticeable softness to the touch, the surface is shining; the color green. The leaf is set immediately upon the stalk.

The flower is very small; 4 to 10 white petals with oval tips and very slender bases; the many delicate, white stamens, with yellow tips, are longer than the petals. The flowers are arranged in a large, loose, round or club-shaped spike, on a long smooth stem, that springs from the junction of the leaf.