Part 73

The little flowers are borne on the base of a long wand, which projects one or two inches beyond the ensheathing wrapper,--both wand and envelope are green; the stem is round, smooth, and green, and grows from the side of the leaf-stem.

This well-named plant has many marks of the dragon upon it; its solitary leaf spreads, particularly when unfolding, a green claw-like hand above the flowers, and all about the club-shaped root-bulb grow numerous flesh-colored bulblets highly suggestive of his dragon-ship’s toes!

*Jack-in-the-Pulpit.* Arisæma triphyllum. *Indian Turnip.*

Found in damp shady nooks, blossoming in May.

The root sends up two or three leaf-bearing stems which vary from 8 to 20 inches in height.

The leaf is compound, and often grows to a considerable size; the 3 leaflets are a broad oval shape, tapering at the tip, the ribs much marked, the fibre fine, and surface smooth; a fall, juicy green. The stem is long, round and smooth, and sheathed at the foot.

The inconspicuous flowers are borne at the base of a green wand, which is wrapped around by a leaf-like sheath, its tip curving over the head of Jack and making the sounding board of his airy green pulpit. This sheath is tougher in texture and more shining than the leaves, and varies in color; on the stamen-bearing plant it is green, striped with greenish-white, while that of the pistil-bearing plant is green, striped with blackish violet. The Jack-in-the-Pulpit is borne on a stout, round, shining stem, which springs from between the sheaths of the leaf-stem.

In late summer the ripened seeds are found, a thick short club of bright red berries; the leaves of the seed-bearing plants often grow very large and are a rich, dark green color. It will be observed that Jack-in-the-Pulpit is “brother to dragons”!

*Sweet Flag.* Acorus Calamus.

Found in swamps and on the borders of runlets, in flower in June.

The Sweet Flag has no common stalk; the leaves springing directly from the rootstock; long and narrow (from 3 to 4 feet long), sword-like in shape, thin and even on the edge, and rising to a sharply defined ridge on one side of the center; the surface is like silk, and the texture is firm and fine; of a beautiful grass-green color.

The minute greenish-yellow flowers are closely set in a long club-like spike, growing out abruptly from the middle of a leaf-like stalk.

The large root is sought and eaten for its pungent and aromatic flavor; the tender young flower-club also has the same qualities of flavor and is eaten by children, who in certain localities call it “the grater.”

WATER-PLANTAIN FAMILY.

ALISMACEÆ.

*Arrowhead.* Sagittaria variabilis.

Found in shallow water and low moist grounds, from July to August.

The leaf- and flower-stems rise 1 or 2 feet from the root.

The leaf varies very much in size and proportion; it is arrow-shaped, with strong ribs, a smooth and fine surface, and is borne on a single stem that rises directly from the root. It is green, of a vigorous quality.

The flowers leave 3 rounding petals, concave, and of an exceptionally pure white color. They are of two kinds, sometimes borne on separate stems, sometimes upon the same stem (in which case the stamen-bearing flowers are placed upon its upper part); the stamens are many, and of a pure orange yellow, making a heart of gold in their white blossoms, while the pistil appears in its flower as a beautiful light green ball. The calyx is green and 3-parted. The flowers are arranged in whorls of threes and fours, upon inch long foot-stems, which are placed along a large many-angled, green stem, rising from the root.

The Arrowhead is attractive in all its parts, and in its gesture; it is truly decorative, and suggests the subjects treated by the best Gothic artists.

INDEX.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

PAGE

Achillea Millefolium, 306

Acorus calamus, 608

Actæa spicata, 18

Agrimonia Eupatoria, 168