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 corolla of the small, irregular flower is in 2 divisions, the upper
one with 2 narrow, upright parts, between which the stamens show; the
lower one with 3 broad equal lobes; the color varies from deep lavender
to light, and from a bluish to a pinkish tone, the lower division is
marked with a broad white wedge-shaped spot near the throat. The small
calyx has 5 thread-like divisions, green, tinged with lavender. From 3
to 4 flowers blossom at once on the top of the stem.
This little Lobelia flourishes especially in the limestone regions of
the Green Mountains. It grows in communities among the short grass,
beside some wayside spring or runlet; the flowers, all facing in the
same direction, appear as though turned to greet the wayfarer. It is a
plant of delicate finish and color, with a lithe and graceful gesture.
[Illustration: BROOK LOBELIA: L. Kalmii.]
*Indian Tobacco.* _Lobelia inflata._
Found in damp places, and along roadside ditches, in August.
The leafy, sometimes branching stalk grows from 12 to 18 inches, and
is not large, though less slender than the Spiked Lobelia, its texture
being also coarser; it is very slightly rough to the touch, and light
green in color.
The leaves near the foot are about an inch long, and a blunt oval
shape; near the top they become smaller and narrower; with coarsely
toothed margins, a thin texture, and dull green color. They clasp the
stalk alternately.
The flowers are smaller than the other Lobelias mentioned; the corolla
is lilac, with a white spot on the lower lip; the calyx, whose 5
divisions are thread-like, is purplish-green. The flowers, on their
little foot-stems, are placed in a scattering fashion upon the stalk to
form a long terminal spike; each flower is supported by a little leaf
or bract.
As the blossoms fall the seed-pods swell into a round and inflated
shape, which, together with the scantiness of its bloom, gives the
spike an untidy look, unusual in this class of delicate forms and
elegant proportions.
[Illustration: INDIAN TOBACCO: L. inflata.]
*Cardinal Flower.* _Lobelia cardinalis._
Found on the margins of small streams, in light shade, and in low moist
ground, from July to October.
The single, rather large stalk is round, and somewhat irregularly
grooved, smooth to the touch, and a full green color. It grows from 2
to 4 feet high.
The leaves are generally from 2 to 3 inches in length, tapering at
both ends with the veins distinctly showing, and irregularly toothed
margins; their texture is fine, and the color a full dark green. They
are set immediately upon the stalk, in an alternate arrangement.