Part 71

The slender, smooth, green stalk varies from 1 to 3 feet in height; a light fleecy wool is loosely caught around it.

The oblong leaf tapers at both ends, it is 3-ribbed, and the margin is entire; its color is a fresh full green. The leaves clasp the stalk, and are set in two whorls, of 3 to 9 in number.

The flower is inconspicuous on account of its light greenish color; its 3 petals and 3 calyx-parts are long, narrow, and much recurved; the 6 stamens are colored a dark crimson-red, with brown tips, and the 3 divisions of the pistil are long and spreading. Three or four blossoms on their slender stems hang beneath the upper whorl of leaves.

The green, spidery flower of the Medeola is curious rather than pretty,--the charm of the plant lies in the slender stalk, with its two whorls of fine green leaves lightly poised about it. When the dark blue-black berry is ripe its stem takes on an upward curve, and at about the same time a crimson-red spot appears at the base of the leaves.

*Great Solomon’s Seal.* Polygonatum giganteum. *Giant Solomon’s Seal.*

Found on rich banks, in partial shade, during June.

The single leafy stalk grows from 3 to 8 feet high; at first it stands erect, but later the tip curves over and downward; it is tough-fibred, smooth and fine in surface, and green.

The large broadly oval leaf is sometimes 6 inches long and 3 broad; it is pointed at the tip, and partly clasps the stalk at its base; the margin is entire, the ribs parallel and deeply marked, and the texture is fine, while the surface is smooth. In color it is a cool dark green. The leaves occur alternately along the stalk.

The tubular flower is from ½ an inch to about ¾ of an inch long, and spreads into 6 divisions. The color is pale green, the tips of the 6 stamens which first show in the opening of the flower are pale straw-color. The flowers swing on slender stems, from the angles of the leaves, in clusters of two or three (or sometimes singly,) forming a row upon the curving stalk.

Following the flower-bells come the globular blue-black berries, about the size of a pea; they are fully as charming as the blossoms, but seldom remain long on the stalk, since they are fully appreciated by the birds who devour them quickly. This is a plant of fine gesture, and splendid curves, too large to be figured full-size upon the accompanying plate.

*Nodding Lily.* Lilium Canadense. *Field Lily.*

Found in grass fields, and moist meadows, during July.

The single, leafy, and smooth stalk is 2 or 3, or more, feet high. In color it is green, often inclined to take on a dull reddish-brown hue near the flowers.

The leaf is long, pointed at the tip, and clasping the stalk at the base; it is of strong fibre; in color a vigorous green. The leaves are inclined to grow in whorls about the stalk, but are often placed irregularly near the top.

The large and spreading, bell-shaped flower is formed of 6 petal-like parts, whose tips are pointed, and curved a trifle,--3 of the parts have prominent ribs down the middle; it is orange-yellow in color, on the inside speckled with many small reddish-brown dots. The 6 stamens and the club-shaped pistil have dull tawny-orange or reddish-brown tips. From 1 to 3, or more, flowers swing nodding on their short stems from the top of the stalk.

When the orange bells of the Field Lily may be seen gaily nodding here and there just above the feathers of the red-top grass in level meadows, midsummer has come in.

*Flame Lily.* Lilium Philadelphicum. *Wood Lily.*

Found in upland meadows, woods, and along copse-borders in July.

The stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high; it is single, leafy, and strong-fibred and smooth; in color a purplish-green.

The leaf is long, narrow, and pointed, of a firm strong texture, and smooth surface. The color is a fall-toned green. The leaves are placed upon the stalk, in whorls of 5 or more, with an occasional one, escaping regularity, lodged between.

The 6 petal-like parts of the large flower-bell are narrowed at their bases into little stems; 3 of the parts have pronounced midribs. The color of this Lily is orange-red, or flame, irregularly marked on the inside with large spots of reddish brown; the 6 stamens, and the pistil, have reddish-brown tips. Usually a single flower, but sometimes two, on slender stems, are erect upon the top of the stalk.

While the general direction of the stalk is upright the flower sways from side to side with a free grace of movement. Sometimes a single plant will stray into some little open clearing of a lonely wood where its flame warms the whole space; or again its bell swings out from the rocky slope of a mountain pasture. Near the seaboard it grows in communities, where its color, intensified by the sea air, gives it the folk-name of “Flame Lily.” The plant is said to be especially indifferent to drought.

PICKEREL-WEED FAMILY.

PONTEDERIACEÆ.

*Pickerel-weed.* Pontederia cordata.

Found in shallow water from July to September.

The height is variable, from 4 to 6 inches or more. The stalk is stout, round, smooth, and green; it grows with sharp-angled turns below the water.

The leaf is large and arrow-shaped, with a blunt tip; the margin is entire, the fibre tough and leathery, the surface extremely smooth, and the color a dark strong green. The stem is round, large, and sheathes the stalk.