Wild flowers of the north-eastern states : $b Being three hundred and eight individuals common to the north-eastern United States — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Wild flowers of the north-eastern states : $b Being three hundred and eight individuals common to the north-eastern United States
John Stuart Mill · en
[Illustration: CELANDINE: Cheledonium majus.]
FUMITORY FAMILY.
FUMARIACEÆ.
*Dutchman’s Breeches.* _Dicentra Cucullaria._
Found in rich, moist woodlands in April.
The flower-stems and leaves (from 5 to 8 inches in height) spring from
the root.
The large feathery leaf is many times divided and sub-divided in groups
of threes, the margin being entire. In texture it is thin and delicate,
the surface being noticeably cool to the touch; in color, gray-green,
bluish underneath. It is borne on a pale, juicy stem, which is tinged
with pink or reddish at the foot. Several leaves spring up enclosed by
2 or 3 dry, reddish sheaths.
The petals of this curious flower are 4 in number, one pair being
joined together to form a 2-spurred heart-shaped bag, with its spurs
spread widely apart; the other 2 petals held within the narrow mouth
of the bag are very small, and join their tips over the slightly
protruding stamens; the texture is very thin and delicate and slightly
ribbed; the color of the petals is a pure white, the spurs being
tipped with pure yellow. The 2 divisions of the small calyx hug the
bag betwixt the spurs,--it is white, a trifle tinted with green. The
foot-stem on which the bag hangs is small and pale; the flowers are set
in a nodding row upon the long curving or upright stem, which is pale
or tinted red.
In New England this is a less common variety than its sister Squirrel
Corn, _D. Canadensis_, which is very like, though smaller and
pink-tinted instead of yellow.
[Illustration: DUTCHMAN’S BREECHES: Dicentra Cucullaria.]
*Pale Corydalis.* _Corydalis glauca._
Found in woodsy, rocky places during June and July.
The erect and leafy stalk grows from 6 to 15 inches in height, and is
slender and smooth, with a slight bloom, which makes its color a pale
or whitish-green.
The pretty leaf is not large; it is compound, its 3 leaflets being
sub-divided and cut into deep scallops on the entire edges; the ribs
are very delicate, the texture thin and fine and smooth; in color, a
cool green, the underside whitened by a pale bloom. The lower leaves
are on slender, smooth stems, and the upper clasp the stalk; they are
placed alternately.
The flower is small, fragile and smooth in texture, and hung upside
down; the corolla, like a one-sided flat bag with a round bottom and a
2-lipped mouth, is pale pink, the lips being golden; the 2-parted calyx
is pinkish. Three or four flowers hang in terminal groups on slender
reddish stems.
The seed-pod is out of all expectation long, frequently over an inch in
length, but very slender. The whole plant has a smooth daintiness, and
especially is the leaf pretty.
[Illustration: PALE CORYDALIS: Corydalis glauca.]
MUSTARD FAMILY.
CRUCIFERÆ.
*Toothwort.* _Dentaria laciniata._
*Crinkle-root.*
*Pepper-root.*
Found in flower, on the edge of thickets, in May.