The purple-blue flowers of the Bluebell droop gracefully at intervals along their slender stems and bloom all summer long. The plants grow but a few inches tall in the alpine regions where each bears but a single blossom, but they are sometimes 3 ft. high at lower altitudes, especially in the shade. They are found on foothills and in mountain meadows and aspen woodlands at 6000-13000 ft. This species is the true Bluebell of Scotland. Alpine Bluebell Campanula uniflora Plate 36, fig. 6 The Alpine Bluebell is a tiny plant, growing but 2-5 in. tall on account of the effect of the high altitudes at which it lives. The single blossom is a deep purple-blue and hangs from the tip of the fragile stem. The botanical name of the species means “one-flowered.” The plants bloom in early summer and must be sought in alpine meadows at 11000-14000 ft. VALERIAN FAMILY Valerian Valeriana silvatica Plate 36, fig. 3 The tiny pale pink flowers of the Valerian grow in flat-topped clusters at the tips of straight stiff stems, 1-3 ft. tall. They bloom in early summer in fir and spruce forests at 8000-11000 ft. The botanical name of this species refers to the fact that the plants are forest-lovers. Some species of Valerian are used in medicine as a sedative and for various nervous troubles, and one has an edible root. They have a strong unpleasant odor which cats and rats like. The leaves are efficacious in healing wounds. ASTER FAMILY Blazing Star Laciniaria punctata Plate 37, fig. 1 The Blazing Star receives its name from the dense spikes of brilliant red-purple blossoms. These bloom in late summer and autumn and are found on prairies, plains and foothills at 3000-6000 ft. The plants are unbranched and grow 6-18 in. tall. This species is the least beautiful of several native blazing stars that deserve a place in the wild garden. Blue Lettuce Lactuca pulchella Plate 37, fig. 2 The pale blue-lavender flowers of the Blue Lettuce grow in clusters on plants 3-6 ft. high. They bloom in midsummer and are found along roadsides and in meadows at 3000-6000 ft. Several varieties of lettuce have narcotic properties, while the value of the garden lettuce is too well-known to need comment. Sheath Flower Coleanthus grandiflorus Plate 37, fig. 3 The pale yellow blossoms of the Sheath Flower hang from their stalks like inverted thimbles and bloom in midsummer. The name refers to the tiny bracts that sheathe the flower-heads closely and turn reddish brown with age. The plants are much branched, 1-4 ft. tall, and occur in meadows and thickets at 5000-9000 ft. False Dandelion Agoseris glauca Plate 37, fig. 4