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 blossom varies in size rather noticeably. Its corolla is shaped
like a bell with 5 small pointed tips which curve outward to show the
long lavender pistil with its malachite-green tip; the texture of
the bell is delicately thin and yet firm, and the color an exquisite
violet, which ranges from pale lavender, or even almost white, to a
reddish-purple hue. The green calyx is 5-parted, its divisions very
slender, half as long as the bell, and clinging closely to its shape.
The many blossoms nod on thread-like stems.
In early spring the Harebell plant consists of a tuffet of small,
round, slightly notched leaves, on spreading stems; these mostly
disappear when the flowering stems begin to rise. In part, the swaying,
flexile grace of gesture belonging to these flowers may be due to the
light way in which the bells are caught in their tiny calices. When
advanced in maturity the pistil becomes 3-parted and loses its vivid
green tip. The Harebell is commonly credited with a love of shade, but
it is frequently found in the crevices of exposed rock-ledges; and a
favorite haunt, in one instance, is a bare mountain ridge, covered only
by thick dry gray mosses, where these lovely bells nod amidst the Ebony
Fern leaves (_A. ebeneum_), in thrifty vigor under the broad sunlight.
[Illustration: HAREBELL: Campanula rotundifolia.]
*Bellflower.* _Campanula rapunculoides._
Found in July on dry roadsides, and along walls and fences.
The stalk is single and leafy, slender, and slightly rough with hairs,
from 2 to 4 feet in height; light green.
The root-leaves are small, and heart-shaped, with scalloped margins,
set on stems that are sometimes 6 inches long. The lowest leaves along
the stalk are shaped like an Indian arrow-point; the upper leaves are
long and narrow: the margins are irregularly toothed, they are thin in
texture, hairy, and light green; and are set on short broad stems which
clasp the stalk alternately.
The corolla is bell-shaped with 5 outward-curving, tapering tips, and
a beautiful violet-blue color; the pistil is 3-parted, protruding, and
purple tinted; the green calyx is 5-parted, its divisions abruptly
turned back. The flowers are set along one side of the stalk in the
angles of the small upper leaves, forming a long wand-like spire.
Although the flowers bloom first at the base of the spire, frequently,
when the tip has begun to hang out its noticeable bells, fresh buds
will push forth far below, and open beside the old dried blossoms at
the foot,--for the withered flower clings long to the calyx.
[Illustration: BELLFLOWER: C. rapunculoides.]
HEATH FAMILY.
ERICACEÆ.
*Trailing Arbutus.* _Epigæa repens._
*May flower.*
*Ground Laurel.*
Found in the woods, or clearings near woods, and upland pastures,
during April. It particularly favors pine woods.