The purplish or reddish blossoms of the Marsh Mint are clustered in the axils of leaves on stems 1-3 ft. high. They bloom in midsummer and are found on moist banks across the continent at 4000-8500 ft. The Marsh Mint is sometimes called “Woundwort” on account of its formerly great reputation for healing wounds. Its surgical value may be doubted, though it certainly is somewhat astringent. It is useful, however, because of its edible roots. These are tuberous and when boiled form a wholesome and nutritious food of rather agreeable flavor. The young shoots of the plant may likewise be eaten, being cooked like asparagus, but though pleasant to the taste they have a strong and disagreeable smell. Pennyroyal Hedeoma Drummondii Plate 24, fig. 8 The tiny blue, pink or purple flowers of the Pennyroyal occur in open spikes on stems 4-8 in. high. They bloom in early and midsummer on dry plains and hills at 5000-7000 ft. The name Pennyroyal has no significance, as it is a corruption of an older name. VERBENA FAMILY Verbena, Vervain Verbena bracteosa Plate 24, fig. 7 The tiny blue to purple flowers of the Verbena are grouped in dense heads on decumbent stems. They bloom all summer on prairies, plains and in waste places at 4000-7500 ft. The garden Verbena is a near relative of the wild Verbena and originally came from Brazil. ROSE FAMILY Wild Rose Rosa acicularis Plate 25, fig. 1 The pale to deep pink flowers of the Wild Rose come into bloom in early summer. They grow on shrubs 1-3 ft. high which are found on hills, mountain-sides and in open woods at 5000-10000 ft. The scarlet and crimson fruits of the Wild Rose make the bushes ornamental even after the flowers have passed blooming. Gold Cup, Potentilla Potentilla gracilis Plate 25, fig. 2 The Potentillas may easily be mistaken for buttercups, though they actually belong to the Rose Family. The scientific name of the genus comes from a Latin word meaning powerful, and refers to the former use of the plants in medicine. This species, called Gold Cup on account of the shape and color of the blossoms, is bright yellow with an orange spot at the base of each petal. The flowers grow on graceful stems 6 in.-3 ft. high and bloom in midsummer. The plants grow in meadows and open woodlands at 5000-10000 ft. Golden Avens Sieversia turbinata Plate 25, fig. 3 The Golden Avens also looks like a buttercup with its cup-like, yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. The plants grow 4-20 in. high and are found on the higher peaks at 10000-14000 ft. Pink Plumes Sieversia ciliata Plate 25, fig. 4