Part 6

The calyx drops as the flowers open, and the petals soon fall also, leaving the stamens, which remain some time; these are succeeded by the ripening berries that are to be seen frequently during August in deep woods; they are oval in shape and of a shining coral red. The plant seldom bears more than a single spike of flowers.

The White Baneberry, A. alba, is very like the Red, but its berries (called “Dolls’ Eyes” in Massachusetts) are shining white with a black dot, and their foot-stems are noticeably larger.

*Columbine.* Aquilegia Canadensis.

Found growing in the clefts of rocks, on sunlit heights, and along banks, during May or June.

The height of the stalk varies from 6 to 18 inches, and it branches widely; it is small, slightly enlarged at the joints, and somewhat square in shape, sometimes rough to the touch; the color is green, strongly tinged with purple-red.

The lower leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets, their margins round-toothed; the upper leaves are oval, or sometimes divided, their margins frequently entire; the texture is very thin and fine; the color light green. They are set on long, slender stems, or at the junction of the branches.

The flower varies a good deal in size; it consists of 5 tubular petals that are prolonged into slender spurs with rounded tips; the calyx is 5-parted, the divisions of a long oval shape, which curve closely between the spurs, alternating with the tubes. The color of the tubes is a pure and lovely yellow, which becomes, by a beautiful gradation, a deep red in the spurs, their tips even tending toward crimson; the calyx is orange-red, running to yellow-green at the stem; the many long stamens hanging in a central tassel are very yellow. The flower nods on the end of a curved stem, with its spurs uppermost.

In early spring the plant consists of a thick tuft of leaves. While still very small the bud begins to turn from pale green to reddish. In maturity the seed-pods become erect. The singular elegance of this plant is only too well appreciated, for human greed plucks it in reckless handfuls, without regard to its possible extinction.

*Marsh Crowfoot.* Ranunculus septentrionalis.

Found during May and June growing in moist meadows, beside runlets.

The large, round, hollow stalk grows between 1 and 2 feet high; it branches, and often lies somewhat upon the ground; it is finely grooved, and light green in color.

The compound leaves are 3-divided; each of the leaflets of the lower leaves is provided with a short foot-stem, they are wedge-shaped, broad, and the margins are cut and notched; those of the upper leaves are long and narrow, of unequal size, with entire margins. The texture is loose, the upper surface very hairy, the underside shining; color, a mottled green, lighter underneath.

The large flower is like a shallow cup formed of 5 oval petals, of fine texture and shining with an exceeding gloss; their color a full orange-tinted yellow. The stamens are many, and orange-yellow; the numerous pistils are gathered into a round green center. The calyx is 5-parted, shorter than the petals; greenish-yellow. The flowers are set on short stems, in terminal groups.

After flowering, the plant throws out from the root long, thick, pale runners; these bear an occasional leaf, at the joint of which a new root forms.

*Buttercups.* Ranunculus acris. *Tall Crowfoot.*

Found during June and July in meadows and fields.

The stalk, which grows from 2 to 3 feet high, is branching, round, tough-fibred, and hairy; a strong, bright green color.

The large leaf is cleft into 3 or 5 divisions, these again being cut into 3 narrow parts, their tips thus covering the points of a pentagon; the margin is deeply and sharply notched, the ribs are noticeable, and the surface is downy with soft hairs. In color the leaves are dark green, lighter underneath. The lower leaves are set on long grooved stems, the upper clasp the stalk with a pale, silvery and hairy sheath.

The flower cup is formed of 5 broad petals with pointed bases; its inner surface is very shining, the outer is dull; the color is a pure full yellow. The numerous stamens are also yellow, and the many pistils are bunched in a green center. The calyx is 5-parted, the divisions being narrow and pointed, and spreading very wide; it is a pale yellow-green. The flowers are set on long slender stems.

Though the wealth of bloom occurs in June when the meadow-grasses tassel, the burnished golden cups stray through all the season till frost-time. The bud is very round and small, and the flower grows perceptibly after it has opened.

*Bristly Crowfoot.* Ranunculus Pennsylvanicus.

Found in moist ground, in June and July.

The stalk (about 2 feet high) is very leafy, stout, round, and hollow, of a coarse fibre, and exceedingly hairy; light green.

The large compound leaf is divided into 3 parts (they are set on hairy stems) that are divided twice again; the parts are sharp-pointed and deeply notched, with the ribs and veins showing plainly, of a coarse, loose texture, and very hairy both above and beneath. The arrangement is alternate, and clasping. The color is light yellowish-green.

The flower is small: a few little round yellow petals and a fringe of yellow stamens surround the base of the long thimble-shaped green head formed by the pistils. The flowers are set on hairy stems in loose leafy groups.

The admirable curve of the stalk is forgotten in the stinging sensation its prickly hairs produce upon the touch; it is very like plucking a nettle to try to gather this Crowfoot, though the effect is comparatively transient.

*Purple Clematis.* Clematis verticillaris.

Found festooning rocks and walls on uplands and mountains in early May.