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
The leaf is oval, with a strong midrib, and a notched margin; the under
surface is covered with wool of a whity-green color, the upper is full
green in tone. The leaves, on scarcely perceptible stems, spring from
the stalk with a strong and noticeable arch, which points them upwards;
they are placed close together, and alternately.
The 5 petals are very small, round or slightly oval in shape, rosy-pink
in color, as are the many stamens, which give a feathery look to the
blossoms. The small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers are
crowded in small spires, that are arranged closely in a fine-pointed
terminal spire, which is often 3 inches in length.
The flowers open first at the tip of the spire, which thus frequently
turns to pale brown, before the light green buds at the base begin to
swell. The ripened seed-spires of the previous year, dried to a rich
gray-red, or deep brown, are retained during the flowering season, and
add much to the attractiveness of the plant. The upturned undersides of
the leaves are often tinted with pale rose color, as though reflected
from the blossoming spire; all along the middle of the stalk they are
larger than at the foot, or near the flowers. Upland slopes, which
offer favoring conditions to the plant, take on a perceptible tone of
pink during the blossom-time because of its numerous presence,--it is
unfortunate that farmers rate this gregarious habit as pestiferous.
[Illustration: STEEPLE-BUSH: S. tomentosa.]
*White Geum.* _Geum album._
Found along roads, and moist and shady thickets, from June to September.
The zigzag branching stalk varies from 10 to 18 inches in height, and
bears few leaves; it is tough, coarse fibred, and rough with hairs; it
rises from a foot-tuffet of leaves. Of a brownish green color.
The root-leaves are large, and 3-divided into round, unequal, parts,
with a round-scalloped margin, that is often wavy; and set on long
hairy stems,--along which are sometimes scattered other indeterminate
little leaflets; the upper leaves are simple, and narrow, or deeply
3-cleft, with uneven sharp-notched margins, and set on long stiff
stems, which clasp the stalk with a pair of 3-notched wings; a few
small leaves near the flowers are set close on the stalk clasping with
small narrow wings. The surface is hairy, texture loose, and coarse;
the color a crude green; the arrangement alternate.
The flower has 5 petals, oval shaped, with fine-pointed bases; the
texture is thin and delicate, the edges curly; clear white in color;
the stamens are fine, tipped with yellow; the many green pistils are
gathered in a small conical head; the calyx is 5-parted, and green,
with white edges; between the divisions is found a tiny thread-like
point. The flowers are set on slender, leafy stems, which are terminal,
and from the angles of the leaves.