After its one night’s fragrant perfection, the withered blossom hangs for a day or two, before its calyx-tube severs itself from the seed-box as neatly as though cut by a knife. It is only by chance that the clarity of the flower’s yellow hue is seen, when, in some gray morning fog, a belated flower is caught full-blown. Sometimes the plant grows to the size of a bush; its fall seedling shows a flat tuffet of curious, white-marked lily-like leaves that hug the ground. [Illustration: COMMON EVENING PRIMROSE: Œ. biennis.] *Great Willow Herb.* _Epilobium angustifolium._ *Fire-weed.* Found by the wayside, and on newly cleared or burned lands, blossoming from June through August. It has a simple, tall, and swaying stalk, from 3 to 6 feet high; it is round, and smooth, of a fine fibre, and inclined to red in color. The long, narrow leaf has a general resemblance to that of the willow; it is smooth, firm, and fine in texture, and of a cool dark grayish-green color, and silvery beneath, with a light midrib. The leaves are alternate on the stalk, without foot-stems. The 4 rounded petals of the flower curve into a short foot, or claw, at the base; they are of a fine and delicate texture, and a bright, clear crimson-pink color; the 4 long, pointed divisions of the red-brown calyx alternate with the pink petals; the pistil is 4-parted and curled spirally at the tip; the stamens 8. The flowers are poised on the top of the slender, silky, violet-tinged pods, and arranged in a loose, long, and curving spike, on the top of the stalk. The plant gains its name of “Fire-weed” from its habit of springing up on newly burned woodlands. Seen in the sunshine its coloring is brilliant. Its long curving slender pods, bursting open lengthwise, set free a mass of fine silky down, the wings of the tiny seeds. [Illustration: GREAT WILLOW HERB: Epilobium angustifolium.] *Small Willow Herb.* _Epilobium coloratum._ Found in damp ground, in meadows and ditches, in blossom in August and September. Its erect branching stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high, and is strong-fibred, round, and smooth; color green, often a fine crimson. The long, narrow leaf has a finely notched margin, a smooth surface, and a fine texture; dark gray-green in color. The arrangement is usually opposite, on very short foot-stems. The small flower has 4 rounded petals, notched at the tip; they are a pale violet-tinted white; there are 8 small stamens, and a club-shaped pistil,--all pale yellow; the 4-parted calyx is green. The flower is set on the top of the slender pod. In the autumn the mass of downy pods and crimson-red stems make of this unpretentious plant a pleasing bit of color; its fine qualities of texture contribute to its attractiveness. [Illustration: SMALL WILLOW HERB: E. coloratum.] *Enchanter’s Nightshade.* _Circæa alpina._ Found in cool damp shade during July and August.