Part 64

ARISTOLOCHIACEÆ.

*Wild Ginger.* Asarum Canadense.

Found in rich soil in woodlands, blossoming during May.

The very short stalk barely shows above the ground; it is large and stout and fibrous, bearing two or three sheaths and terminating in the flower, and the leaf-stems which are from 4 to 8 inches in length.

The large wide leaf is heart-shaped or rounded, with an entire margin, and strongly marked by the ribs and veins; the upper surface is velvety to the touch, while it is rough and woolly underneath, and the color is a strong green, whitish beneath. The stem is stout, erect, and slightly woolly. Two or three leaves only are borne on the summit of the stalk.

The flower has no petals; the calyx is shaped like a deep, round cup, 3-parted at the top, with curling margins. It is coarse and firm in texture, with a hairy surface; the outside dull purplish, the divisions reddish-brown or bronze, and the inside of the cup creamy white curiously marked in the bottom by a hexagonal design in purple; the 12 stamens are gathered close about the 6-parted pistil. The single flower is set on a short, bristly stem, that springs from between the leaves, and turns downward, the blossom resting its face upon the earth and burying itself so carefully in the leaf mold that only search reveals it.

Later in the season the leaves attain a considerable size, four or five inches across; they are always decorative in shape and color. The root is aromatic, and sharp to the taste,--whence the folk-name.

LAUREL FAMILY.

LAURACEÆ.

*Spice-bush.* Lindera Benzoin. *Fever-bush.* *Benjamin-bush.* *Wild Allspice.*

Found flowering in April in damp soil and light shade.

A branching, slender shrub from 4 to 12 feet in height, of a woody fibre which is rather easily broken. The bark is smooth and firm, slightly glossy, and gray-brown, inclining to reddish when young.

The leaf is broad oval in shape, with a sharp tip, and set on a short stem; the margin is entire, the texture thick and tough, and the color is a rich dark green, paler underneath. The arrangement of the leaves is alternate, and they succeed the flowers in unfolding.

The flowers, small and indeterminate in shape, are thin and fragile in texture, and greenish, or lemon-yellow in color; they have 6 narrow petal-like parts, and many fine yellow stamens, with bright orange tips. They are set on little foot-stems, in small clusters within the protecting grasp of two pairs of small temporary envelopes, the outer pair golden brown and bark-like, the inner resembling the flower. These little clusters occur close together all along the branches.

Blossoming amidst the gray woods of the early spring this golden odorous shrub is a delightful surprise. The little leaf-bud is seen pushing its way forth from between the flower-clusters before the blossoms are fairly spread.

MEZEREUM FAMILY.

THYMELÆACEÆ.

*Leatherwood.* Dirca palustris. *Moosewood.*

Found in light moist woodlands in April.

A shrub, from 2 to 4, or 5, feet in height, branching in an angular fashion; the smooth close bark is very flexible and tough, gray-brown, and slightly shining, dotted with lighter color.

The oval leaf is entire, strong-fibred, and smooth, and set on a very short stem. The arrangement is generally alternate, and the color a full green.

The small tubular flower, with slightly notched edges, and a thin texture, is of a beautiful golden yellow color; the 8 orange-tipped stamens and the pistil hang from the mouth of the tube. The flowers droop in small clusters from the hold of three or four bracts which are beautifully smooth and green on the inside, and thickly covered with a fine purplish down on the outside; they are set irregularly along the branches.

It is stated in Gray’s Manual there are as many temporary bracts as there are flowers, but no hard and fast rule is observed in nature in such details; according to personal observation 4 is the usual number. These bracts fall as soon as the leaves push forth. It is noted that the flowers lose their color as the leaf-buds swell, although they do not wither until the leaves are unrolling. The bark is so elastic and tough that a knot may be tied, without its breaking, in a stem as big as the little finger. The first glimpse of this gray bush strung with its golden jewels and never a trace of green about its branches, gives a pleasure akin to the more spiritual delight of beholding the Wych Hazel which occupies the same place in nature at the other end of the flower year.

SWEET-GALE FAMILY.

MYRICACEÆ.

*Sweet-fern.* Myrica asplenifolia.

Found in April, on dry uplands and along copse borders.

A tough-fibred bush, from 1 to 2 feet high, with many low branches, very leafy, the bark rough, and reddish, or when old covered by a gray bloom.