Epigraph
The Cover-Design by E. M.: Derived from the Green Dragon (Arisæma Dracontium) Plant.
Wild Flowers
OF THE
North-Eastern States.
Crowfoot Family. — Ranunculaceæ
| Hepatica. | Hepatica triloba. |
| Liverwort. | |
| Liver-leaf. |
Found in April and May, on hillsides, along the edge of woods, and in rocky ground.
The leaf-stems and flower-stems rise from the ground to the height of 4 or 6 inches.
The leaf is heart-shaped, and 3-lobed, of a tough, strong fibre that often survives the winter. Its color is dark green above and dull violet beneath.
The beautiful flower is composed of 6 to 9 petal-like calyx-parts, of an oval shape, and thin texture, whose color varies from light to dark violet, and from lavender-tinted white to a very pink-lavender, or lilac; the stamens are many, and thread-like, and of a pale straw color. Close beneath the flower are 3 reddish-brown, downy little leaves, bearing the semblance of a calyx. The flower is set on a slender, very downy stem, which springs from amidst the leaves.
The harmony of color in this plant as seen in the flower and leaf is striking, a preponderance of violet showing throughout. It is very downy, the young leaves being covered with long silky hairs. The numerous half-opened flowers and buds are slightly nodding, but become more erect when fully spread in the sunlight. The Hepatica is often frequented by small lavender butterflies, in size and color resembling the blossoms,—when they rise and flutter in the soft spring air, it is as though the flowers themselves are taking flight.
| Marsh Marigold. | Caltha palustris. |
| Cowslips. |
Found in late April and early May, in swamps or wet meadows, with its roots in the water.
The branching stalk, from 6 to 10 inches in height, is thick, stout, hollow and juicy, and grooved at the joints; its color is a shining light green.
The leaf is very broad, almost round, with a heart-shaped base, the margin finely cut in slight scallops; the texture is thin but leathery, while the surface is smooth and glossy; the color is dark green. The leaf is set at the junction of the flower-stem with the stalk.
The flower has 5 (or more) rounded petal-like calyx-parts, of a delicate texture that shows a few veins on the inside; it is shaped like a shallow cup and colored a beautiful polished yellow, tinged with green; the many stamens are yellow; the pistils form a conspicuous fringy center. Two or three flowers, on simple, or sometimes leafy foot-stems, form a terminal group.
The buds are round and quite green, turning yellow as they grow; the blossom opens very wide, and is slightly odorous,—it is in marked contrast to the coarser stem and leaf, which have a sprangly gesture. The first sunshine flower of spring.
| Wind Flower. | Anemone nemorosa. |
| Wood Anemone. |
Found in thickets that yet are open to the sun, in early May or perhaps late in April.
The single stem, about 6 inches in height, is round and smooth and green, showing purple at the foot. It bears a whorl of leaves about midway its height, and a single flower upon its summit.
The compound leaf has from 8 to 9 wedge-shaped leaflets, that are sightly creased on their midribs, and irregularly notched on the edges; the texture is delicately thin, and the color a lovely green. Three leaves on their short reddish stems are placed in a whorl.
The flower is like a shallow cup formed of 5 oval, petal-like calyx-parts that curve like shells; it is of a very thin texture and slightly veined, and its color is pure white, often rosy tinted on the outside; the many dainty stamens are a pale straw color, and the pistils are gathered into a light green center.
A more charming plant could hardly be imagined,—stem, leaf, and blossom are alike perfect in growth and harmony of hue. Its bud nods, but the fully open flower lifts itself lightly atop the slender swaying stem. The Wind Flower is social in habit, and gathers in lovely fellowship with its kind upon a favorable hillside.
Tall Anemone. Anemone Virginiana.
Found during July and August in meadows, roadsides, and woods.
The single stalk usually forks midway for the flowers; it grows between 2 and 3 feet high, and is slender and slightly rough to the touch. In color it is light green.
The compound leaf is 3-divided, the middle leaflet being 3-parted, and the side leaflets 2-parted; the margins are notched, and the fibre is tough, while the surface is rough-hairy; the color is green. The leaves grow in a whorl of 3 about the stalk.
The flower is a shallow cup, composed of 5 petal-like calyx-parts, hollowed like shells, of a greenish-white color; the pistils are many, rising in a cylindrical greenish head in the center; the stamens are numerous, and pale. The flowers are set on long slender stems which rise from the whorl of leaves; these stems often fork again at half their length, where in that case, they bear a pair of small leaves, from which the 2, or more, secondary flower-bearing stems arise.
Less gregarious than its early sister, the Tall Anemone grows solitary, or in twos and threes,—frequently beside an old stump. The cylindrical or elongated head turns brown and becomes cottony when the seeds are ripe. The tall elegance of this plant is noteworthy; it bears its leaves, flowers and seeds with an air of distinction, and the long wand-like stems suggest the strings of some musical instrument on which the wind may play, according to the old tradition that the Anemones love to bloom when the wind blows.
Early Meadow Rue. Thalictrum dioicum.
Found in rocky woods and hillsides during April and May.
The branching leafy stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high; smooth, round, and fine of fibre though strong; in color, green.
The leaf is 3 or 4 times divided, terminating in groups of 3 leaflets on short slender stems; the leaflets are small, rounding, slightly heart-shaped at the base, and their margins are notched in rounded scallops; the texture is exceptionally fine and thin, the surface smooth; the color, a fine cool green.
The flower is small and composed of 3 or 4 or 5 little, petal-like, pale green calyx-parts. Different plants bear the pistils and stamens; the flowers of the former are inconspicuous and sparse in comparison with those of the stamen-bearing plant: from these the many stamens, pale green faintly touched with tawny at the tips, droop on slender threads like little tassels. The flowers grow in loose clusters, on branching stems that spring from the leaf-joints.
The Early Meadow Rue is unobtrusive in color and form, but most graceful in gesture, and fine in the texture and finish of all its parts; the leafage has a fern-like delicacy, and the flower tassels of the stamen-bearing plant are airily poised.
Tall Meadow Rue. Thalictrum polygamum.
Found in June in wet meadows, both in the shade of thickets and in unsheltered fields.
The stalk, usually 3 or 4 feet high, attains, it is said, to even 9 feet sometimes; it is branching, and somewhat zigzag in growth; round, slightly ribbed, and smooth; green or purple, especially near the joints.
The leaf is highly compound, being composed of 3 long-stemmed divisions which are parted into 3 or 5 short-stemmed groups of 3 leaflets each; these leaflets are rounding in shape, entire,—save for the 1 to 3 round scallops at the tips,—of a fine and thin texture, and smooth surface; a network of delicate veins shows underneath; the color is a beautiful, cool, dark green, lighter underneath. The arrangement is alternate.
The flower is without petals; the numerous thread-like, white stamens, with their green tips, spread into feathery tufts, and are set on tiny stems in loose terminal clusters, and also in lesser groups on stems from the angles of the upper leaves.
An elegant plant, beautiful at all seasons with its distinguished-bearing, charming flower clusters, and quaint lavender-hued seed-heads; and especially attractive at the turn of the leaf, when its foliage takes on a delicate crimson tint toned by a grayish bloom.
Rue Anemone. Anemonella thalictroides.
Found in woods and on shady banks, in May.
The slender, erect stalk, 5 or 6 inches in height, is fine and smooth; in color, a light reddish-tinged green.
The leaf is compound, each part being set on a slender, rather long stem; the leaflets are small, broad, heart-shaped at the base, and 2- or 3-lobed near the tip; the texture is exceedingly fine, and smooth to the touch; the color is a dark grayish-green. The leaves form a whorl about the summit of the stalk, from which the flower-stems rise.
The flower is formed of 5 to 8 petal-like calyx-parts, which are oval, slightly convex, of a fine and delicate texture; in color, white, tinged with pale pink. The stamens are many, small, and orange yellow; the several pistils gathered in the center are green. The flowers are poised on slender stems, in groups, generally of 3, springing from the leaf-whorl.
The flowers and leaves rise from the earth together, the undeveloped flower, with bowed head, enfolded by the leaflets; as the plant pushes upward the blossoms grow, the central one developing first, the side ones later. At first the stamens and pistils are gathered together in a close green ball in the middle,—when the central flower has shaken out its yellow-tipped stamens fully, the side flowers begin to grow; thus the plant stays in bloom a long time—nearly two weeks.
Goldthread. Coptis trifolia.
Found during May in moist woods.
The root sends up flowers and leaves on stems from 3 to 5 inches high.
The leaf is compound with 3 small leaflets that are wedge-shaped, with notched margins, tough texture, and smooth, shining surface; it is set on a long slender stem. Evergreen, and of a dark green color.
The flower is small; of 5 or 7 narrow, tapering calyx-parts that are a fine silvery-white color. The true petals are inconspicuous and easily confused with the numerous stamens and pistils. The flower-stem is long and slender.
This has a shining flower and leaf. The bright yellow thread-like roots give it its common name.
| Cohosh. | Actæa spicata, var. rubra. |
| Red Baneberry. |
Found in the woods during May.
The small round smooth stalk branches near the top, and grows about 2 feet high. It is green, with a cool gray-white bloom.
The leaf is rather large, and compound, being 2 or 3 times divided; the leaflets are oval, taper-pointed, and set on long, grooved, shining foot-stems; the margin is prettily toothed, with an occasional deep notch, the ribs and veins show like a fine network, the texture is loose, with a noticeable softness to the touch, the surface is shining; the color green. The leaf is set immediately upon the stalk.
The flower is very small; 4 to 10 white petals with oval tips and very slender bases; the many delicate, white stamens, with yellow tips, are longer than the petals. The flowers are arranged in a large, loose, round or club-shaped spike, on a long smooth stem, that springs from the junction of the leaf.
The calyx drops as the flowers open, and the petals soon fall also, leaving the stamens, which remain some time; these are succeeded by the ripening berries that are to be seen frequently during August in deep woods; they are oval in shape and of a shining coral red. The plant seldom bears more than a single spike of flowers.
The White Baneberry, A. alba, is very like the Red, but its berries (called “Dolls’ Eyes” in Massachusetts) are shining white with a black dot, and their foot-stems are noticeably larger.
Columbine. Aquilegia Canadensis.
Found growing in the clefts of rocks, on sunlit heights, and along banks, during May or June.
The height of the stalk varies from 6 to 18 inches, and it branches widely; it is small, slightly enlarged at the joints, and somewhat square in shape, sometimes rough to the touch; the color is green, strongly tinged with purple-red.
The lower leaves are compound, with 3 leaflets, their margins round-toothed; the upper leaves are oval, or sometimes divided, their margins frequently entire; the texture is very thin and fine; the color light green. They are set on long, slender stems, or at the junction of the branches.
The flower varies a good deal in size; it consists of 5 tubular petals that are prolonged into slender spurs with rounded tips; the calyx is 5-parted, the divisions of a long oval shape, which curve closely between the spurs, alternating with the tubes. The color of the tubes is a pure and lovely yellow, which becomes, by a beautiful gradation, a deep red in the spurs, their tips even tending toward crimson; the calyx is orange-red, running to yellow-green at the stem; the many long stamens hanging in a central tassel are very yellow. The flower nods on the end of a curved stem, with its spurs uppermost.
In early spring the plant consists of a thick tuft of leaves. While still very small the bud begins to turn from pale green to reddish. In maturity the seed-pods become erect. The singular elegance of this plant is only too well appreciated, for human greed plucks it in reckless handfuls, without regard to its possible extinction.
Marsh Crowfoot. Ranunculus septentrionalis.
Found during May and June growing in moist meadows, beside runlets.
The large, round, hollow stalk grows between 1 and 2 feet high; it branches, and often lies somewhat upon the ground; it is finely grooved, and light green in color.
The compound leaves are 3-divided; each of the leaflets of the lower leaves is provided with a short foot-stem, they are wedge-shaped, broad, and the margins are cut and notched; those of the upper leaves are long and narrow, of unequal size, with entire margins. The texture is loose, the upper surface very hairy, the underside shining; color, a mottled green, lighter underneath.
The large flower is like a shallow cup formed of 5 oval petals, of fine texture and shining with an exceeding gloss; their color a full orange-tinted yellow. The stamens are many, and orange-yellow; the numerous pistils are gathered into a round green center. The calyx is 5-parted, shorter than the petals; greenish-yellow. The flowers are set on short stems, in terminal groups.
After flowering, the plant throws out from the root long, thick, pale runners; these bear an occasional leaf, at the joint of which a new root forms.
| Buttercups. | Ranunculus acris. |
| Tall Crowfoot. |
Found during June and July in meadows and fields.
The stalk, which grows from 2 to 3 feet high, is branching, round, tough-fibred, and hairy; a strong, bright green color.
The large leaf is cleft into 3 or 5 divisions, these again being cut into 3 narrow parts, their tips thus covering the points of a pentagon; the margin is deeply and sharply notched, the ribs are noticeable, and the surface is downy with soft hairs. In color the leaves are dark green, lighter underneath. The lower leaves are set on long grooved stems, the upper clasp the stalk with a pale, silvery and hairy sheath.
The flower cup is formed of 5 broad petals with pointed bases; its inner surface is very shining, the outer is dull; the color is a pure full yellow. The numerous stamens are also yellow, and the many pistils are bunched in a green center. The calyx is 5-parted, the divisions being narrow and pointed, and spreading very wide; it is a pale yellow-green. The flowers are set on long slender stems.
Though the wealth of bloom occurs in June when the meadow-grasses tassel, the burnished golden cups stray through all the season till frost-time. The bud is very round and small, and the flower grows perceptibly after it has opened.
Bristly Crowfoot. Ranunculus Pennsylvanicus.
Found in moist ground, in June and July.
The stalk (about 2 feet high) is very leafy, stout, round, and hollow, of a coarse fibre, and exceedingly hairy; light green.
The large compound leaf is divided into 3 parts (they are set on hairy stems) that are divided twice again; the parts are sharp-pointed and deeply notched, with the ribs and veins showing plainly, of a coarse, loose texture, and very hairy both above and beneath. The arrangement is alternate, and clasping. The color is light yellowish-green.
The flower is small: a few little round yellow petals and a fringe of yellow stamens surround the base of the long thimble-shaped green head formed by the pistils. The flowers are set on hairy stems in loose leafy groups.
The admirable curve of the stalk is forgotten in the stinging sensation its prickly hairs produce upon the touch; it is very like plucking a nettle to try to gather this Crowfoot, though the effect is comparatively transient.
Purple Clematis. Clematis verticillaris.
Found festooning rocks and walls on uplands and mountains in early May.
This handsome vine is sparingly leafy, somewhat branching, and not perfectly round; it is woody-fibred and breaks easily, smooth to the touch, and slightly shining; the color is a light brown of a golden hue.
The leaf is 3-parted, each leaflet upon a slender foot-stem; the leaflets are oval or wedge-shaped, the margin either irregularly cut, or deeply notched, or nearly entire; the many ribs and netted veins show; the texture is somewhat thin, and the surface is sparingly covered—particularly on the underside—by soft hairs. The color is light green, frequently running into red- or purple-bronze hues, especially when young. The leaves are set on long purplish or reddish stems, and arranged in pairs, at a considerable distance apart, along the lithe curving stalk.
The flower is large; its 4 calyx-parts look like petals: they are long oval, with pointed tips, of a particularly thin, loose texture, and have a very downy surface both inside and out; the many veins show distinctly; the color is a light purple of a broken tint, sometimes nearly white on the inner side. The stamens are many and crowded into a close central tuft, the outer row of them shaped like slender oblong petals; in color, green-white with light green-yellow tips. The single blossom is set on a slender green stem which springs from between the leaves.
The flower seldom spreads wide, its seeming petals curve inward in a deep cup-shape. A noticeable feature is the presence of the brown and dry leaf-stems of the last year’s growth standing out at right angles to the fresh leafage. This is one of the rarer plants, and therefore should be left where it grows, with free curves clinging to the rocks or swinging its violet-tinged greenery and purple bells from the stronger growth of a neighboring shrub.
| Clematis. | Clematis Virginiana. |
| Virgin’s Bower. | |
| Traveller’s Joy. |
Found through July and August climbing over wayside thickets and along river banks.
The stalk of this charming vine is leafy, round, tough-fibred, and grooved, and rather slender. It is green in color, tinged more or less with dull bronzy purple.
The large leaf is compound of 3 leaflets, that are oval with a long, tapering point, and a slightly heart-shaped base; the margin is cut into a few large notches, and occasionally is lobed; the ribs are strong, the texture firm, and the surface is smooth. Each leaflet is set on a short curved stem; the leaves, on their long stems, are placed opposite each other. In color they are dark green.
The flowers are of two kinds, the pistil-bearing blossoms and the stamen-bearing occur on separate plants. The flower of both plants has 4 petal-like calyx-parts, of oblong shape with rounded tips; the color is greenish white; the stamens and pistils are pale green. The flowers grow on short light green stems, in branching clusters from the angles of the leaves and the end of the vine.
The Clematis climbs by means of its leaf-stems, which grow in strong deep curves; it sometimes hooks them over a support, and again clasps them more securely by twisting the stem once or twice around. It is what Ruskin calls a “gadding vine,” for it runs riot over stone wall and hedge, stretching out a social hand to every wayside shrub, and swinging its flowery festoons from dry twig to leafy sapling. The green of the leafage is agreeably varied by the purple-bronzy leaves of the new growths; and the silvery feathery seeds, following the pistil-bearing blossoms in September and October, are quite as beautiful as the flower, and have a faint, delightful fragrance of their own.