Part 65

The long narrow leaf is cut to the midrib into many narrow and irregular lobes, with an entire or slightly notched margin, and a thin texture; the surface is smooth above, and rough underneath; the color a cool strong green. The leaves are set on short foot-stems, placed irregularly and close together. They come following after the flower catkins.

The pistil-bearing flowers gathered in an inconspicuous crimson cluster, like a scrubby little paint brush, and the stamen-bearing flowers, borne in the form of a slender green and brown catkin, are often found on the same plant; they grow close to the ends of the stalk in small groups.

After the blossom season is over, the plant puts forth its thick foliage, and so flavors the air from earliest spring till near midwinter, with the sweet aroma which belongs to both leaf and flower. Though not evergreen, the dried leaves often cling to the bushes until the new growth displaces them. This is a genuine New England colonist of our sterile pasture hills, growing in large clumps and groups with hardy persistence.

ORCHIS FAMILY.

ORCHIDACEÆ.

*Gay Orchis.* Orchis spectabilis. *Showy Orchis.* *Spring Orchis.*

Found in May, in deep wet woods.

The large, single, flower-stalk reaches about 6 inches in height, and springs from between a pair of root-leaves; it is smooth and elastic. Pale green in color.

The root-leaves are long (sometimes about 6 inches), broadly oval, blunt at the tip, tapering into a grooved foot; the margin is entire (as is true of all Orchids), the texture thick, and leathery. The upper side of the leaf is dull green, underside it is silvery with bloom. The leaves which occur along the flower-spike are long-pointed, erect, clasping, and alternate.

The lip of the flower is large, and spreading, with a flattened spur which is largest at the tip, and as long as the foot-stem; other petals small, club-shaped, and bent over like a hood; the calyx parts stand erect, their tips pointed. All parts of the flower are leathery, and thick in texture; and colored a pale pink-violet, except the lip, which is waxen white, tinted with yellow. It is set on a short, twisted foot-stem, in the clasp of a leaf-like bract. The arrangement is alternate, in a few-flowered spike.

This is a noticeably lustreless flower. The twist in the foot-stem is an interesting feature.

*Pink Lady’s Slipper.* Cypripedium acaule. *Whip-poor-will.*

Found in the woods, frequently under evergreens, though sometimes in deciduous shade, during May.

The slender flower-stem, from 8 to 12 inches in height, is bent like a shepherd’s crook, and bears on the curve a small, pointed, green leaf. It is hairy, and light green.

There are 2 root-leaves, large (from 5 to 7 inches long), oval, with a pointed tip, and a much clasping base; the ribs are parallel, and prominent, the margin is entire, the texture is loose, and somewhat coarse, and the surface is hairy. Color, green.

The lip of the flower is shaped like a large, hollow bag, slightly puckered on its infolded margin; the other petals are long, narrow, and twist, or curl, on either side of the bag; the calyx-parts are apparently only 2 (though botanists consider the lower is composed of two parts grown together),--they are placed above, and below the bag. The petal-like pistil is pink; the bag--of a loose texture--is a crude crimson-pink, inclining to violet, veined by many darker lines; the other parts of the flower--of a thin texture and hairy--are colored a dull reddish-brown, tinted with purple. The single flower hangs from the end of the stem.

In some localities pure white forms are frequently found, and sometimes a single stem will bear two blossoms placed back to back. A rank odor is observable, if the plant is rudely handled.

*Large Yellow Lady’s Slipper.* Cypripedium pubescens. *Yellow Moccason Flower.*

Found in May, about a week later than the Pink Lady’s Slipper, among low growths in moist shade.

The single stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet; it is erect, or slightly bent aside, leafy, strong-fibred, and roughened by minute hairs. Color, green.

The leaf is a broad oval, with a sharp tip, many parallel ribs, of a loose-fibred texture, and hairy on the upper surface. Color, strong green. It clasps the stalk, and folds about it. Two or three or more leaves are placed alternately along the stalk; they diminish gradually in size.

The Yellow Lady’s Slipper’s rounded pouch, or bag, has a circular opening at the top, and is thick in texture, with a smooth and shining surface. The long and narrow side petals are much twisted, and curled; the two calyx-parts are broad-oval, the lower 2-cleft; they are ribbed, with slightly wavy margins. All these parts are thin and downy, and colored dull red, or brownish, or purplish, streaked with green; the pouch is bright yellow, streaked with dull red parallel veins. The flower is set, with an outward swinging gesture, on the tip of the stalk, which is enlarged just beneath the point of contact.

The blossom is faintly odorous.

*Showy Lady’s Slipper.* Cypripedium spectabile. *Whip-poor-will’s Shoes.*

Found in bogs and swamps, in July.

The leafy stalk, about 2 feet in height, is downy to the touch. Its color is green.

The large oval leaf tapers much at the tip, and clasps the stalk at the base; the many ribs are parallel, the margin is wavy, and the surface is roughish. In color it is a full toned yellowish-green. The leaves are alternate in growth.

The bag of this flower is large, rounded, and much inflated; it is white and crimson-pink in color, and set about by 4 white petal-like parts. The stamens and large pistil are white, tinged with yellow. From 1 to 3 flowers grow on the summit of the stalk.