Part 61

This plant affords a perfect example of color-harmony, with its contrasting absolute purplish-blue corolla, and deep red stamens, brought into unity by the purple-toned green of its leaves. It has a strong and pungent scent.

*Self Heal.* Brunella vulgaris. *Heal All.* *Thimble-flower (Vt.)*

Found everywhere, among short grass, from July to September.

The stalk (from 6 to 12 inches high) is more or less reclining in habit; it is leafy, and branching slightly, thick, square, with grooves on its two opposite sides, tough-fibred, and smooth. In color, light green.

The leaf is long, oval with a tapering tip, a sparsely notched, or entire margin, and a smooth surface. Its growth, on short stems, is in pairs. Green in color.

The flower is irregularly 2-lipped, the upper lip hoodlike, and the lower 3-lobed, the middle lobe being largest and fringed on its edge. The color is violet, the hooded lip is generally darker than the other parts of the corolla; the buds are much deeper in color than the blossoms. The lower division of the 2-parted calyx has 2 long points; a broad heart-shaped bract supports its base; in color it is green with a violet tinge. The flowers grow in an elongated, or thimble-shaped head, on the end of the stalk, and from the angles of the upper leaves.

The clear violet of the corolla is brought into harmony with the leaf-green, through the violet tinted calyx which supplies the unifying color. The plant’s habit of growth is sprangling, for the stem, which seems strong-fibred in itself, is given to lopping weakly upon surrounding vegetation.

*Motherwort.* Leonurus Cardiaca.

Found in blossom through July and August, on waste grounds around dwellings.

The large, stout, square stalk grows from 3 to 4 feet high; it branches, is very leafy, and of a dull purplish color.

The upper leaves, long and taper-pointed, are sharply notched, with 3 strong ribs; the lower leaves are more deeply cut, and broader than the upper ones, and are set on longer foot-stems. The texture is coarse, the surface soft-hairy, and the color dark green. The leaves grow near together, and point out in all directions, around the stalk.

The small 2-lipped flower has the upper lip slightly arched, and the lower one 3-lobed; there are 4 stamens under the hood of the upper lip; the outside of the corolla is covered with silky hairs; the color is a dull pink. The 5-pointed, green calyx becomes rigid, and bristling with age, and is persistent on the stalk after the flowers have disappeared. They grow in close whorls around the stalk at short intervals.

Motherwort is effective from the distance, with its many alert leaves, and close flower-whorls threaded on its long stalk; it is a favorite with the bees, and is cherished for their sakes by the beekeeper. It has been naturalized in this country from Europe--perhaps purely for the profit of the bee?

*Wild Mint.* Mentha Canadensis.

Found on moist banks, beside running water, commonly in the shade, from July to September.

The branching, leafy stalk is square, coarse-fibred, hairy, and about 1 or 2 feet in height. In color it is pale green, sometimes bronzy.

The long leaves are pointed at both ends (except the upper leaves, which are wider at the base), with notched margins, midribs prominent underneath, and a coarse texture, the upper surface being rough, while the underside is hairy; green. They are set on short stems, and grow in pairs, at opposite angles to each other.

The corolla of the very small flower is shaped like a 4-divided tube, the upper division being notched at its tip: it is white, or faintly tinged with pink or lavender; the hairy calyx is pale green, or pinky. The flowers are arranged in close rings about the stalk, in the angles of the upper leaves.

The scent of this plant resembles Pennyroyal, though less strong.

*Spearmint.* Mentha virides.

Found in old orchards and in upland pastures, by runnels, or wet hollows, during August.

The stalk (from 1 to 2 feet in height) bears branches in pairs; it is square, firm-fibred, and smooth. The color is green, with a purple tone.

The oval leaf, with its tapering, long tip, has a notched margin, is much veined, and is coarse in texture, while its surface is a trifle glossy. It has a strong aromatic flavor to the taste. In color it is green, showing the same red-purple of the stems at the ribs and margins. The leaves are set in pairs that spring at right angles to each other.

The very small tubular corolla is 4-divided, and dark lavender in color; the 5-parted calyx is green. The flowers are set in whorls about the stalk, with a space between each whorl,--beneath each ring of flowers, and supporting it in its place, are seen a pair of little purple-tinted bracts.

According to personal observation, the buds become dark purple in color on the south side of the stalk before those on the north side have lost their green. This is one of the nattiest of the Mints in growth, and is held in especial affection by children.

*Peppermint.* Mentha piperita.

Found along meadow runlets and brooks,--near clear water,--in August.

The branching, leafy stalk, from 12 to 15 inches high, is square, woody-fibred, smooth, and shining. It is a noticeably dark purple-tinted green, sometimes reddish.