Figwort Family. — Scrophulariaceæ
| Common Lousewort. | Pedicularis Canadensis. |
| Beefsteak Plant. |
Found on roadside banks, and in dry copses, during May.
Several flower-bearing, leafy, stout stems, 6 to 10 inches high, spring from a foot tuffet of leaves.
The foot-leaves are large and long, and set on long, wide, grooved, hairy stems; the stem leaves taper at each end, and are at first set on short stems, and above clasping; all the leaves are often and regularly cut like a feather, a resemblance increased by the finely toothed margin; with strong midribs, coarse texture, and shining surfaces. The color is dark green, the lower leaves dashed with red-purple, the stems being also red-purple. The leaves occur alternately, and not near together, along the stems.
This curious flower is 2-lipped: the upper is flat and curved, with a two-pronged tip, the lower is 3-lobed, the edges curled inward; their surface shining; the upper lip is a dark purplish-red, the lower, pale yellow, while the throat is reddish. The pistil pushes out between the prongs of the upper lip. The deep and somewhat square calyx is parted beneath the lower lip; it is of a coarse, and hairy aspect, and colored light green, edged with dark red. The flowers, set close, in the hold of little bract-like leaves, are arranged spirally, in a round terminal spike.
As the fresh blossoms climb upward the spike lengthens and becomes club-shaped. The withered flowers cling long after their color has faded; when newly opened, they are all yellow, their beak-like upper lips only faintly flushed with the red, which, presently, assumes so sanguinary a hue that there is some occasion for the waggery of the local folk-name of “Beefsteak Plant.”
| Wood Betony. | Pedicularis lanceolata. |
| Lousewort. |
Found in swampy places during August and September.
The sometimes branching stalk, from 1 to 2 or 8 feet in height, is round, shining, and generally smooth, or with an occasional roughness. Light green in color.
The long oval leaf is cut into oblong divisions, and the margin is finely toothed, which increases its resemblance to a fern leaf; the strong ribs show plainly, and the color is pale green, inclining to yellow. The leaves, on short stems, are placed in pairs, which point at right angles to each other.
The corolla has a curious one-sided look, because the curving beak-like upper lip closes so tightly down upon the 3-lobed under lip as to push it askew; its color is a pale and somewhat muddy yellow. The 2-parted calyx is deep, and the tips spread; it is green. The flowers are set within the hold of little curved and notched leaves like bracts, in pairs, forming a terminal spike.
Only two or three flowers bloom at one time, and the withered corollas cling long to the calices, which gives an untidy appearance to the plant. The leaf and calyx are decorative in growth.
| Indian Paint-brush. | Castilleia coccinea. |
| Painted Cup. |
Found in June, growing in low grounds, and wet meadows.
The single, leafy stalk rises from a cluster of root-leaves; it is 8 to 10 inches in height, somewhat square-angled, and hollow, of a tough, rather course fibre, with a hairy surface. Color, dull crimson, the short hairs being gray or white.
The root-leaves are oblong, seldom notched; on the stalk the lowest leaves are narrow, while above they are wedge-shaped and generally deeply cleft into 3 lobes; the margins are entire, and the surface is hairy. In color a light clear green; the ends of the upper leaves and those which supports the flowers look as though they had been dipped in a scarlet dye. The leaves all sit immediately upon the stalk; they are placed alternately, and at some distance apart, but more crowded among the flowers.
The small corolla of the flower is tubular and 2-lipped, yellow and green in color; it is almost concealed within the long cylindrical 2-cleft calyx, which is colored a clear light green with a scarlet margin. The long curving pistil is green tinted. The flowers are set in the clasp of the upper leaves, and form a close terminal cluster.
Quite eclipsed by the gorgeous hues of the floral leaves and calices, the paler flower hides its head, its long pistil alone claiming attention. The exact marking of the vivid scarlet upon the tips makes the folk-name “Paintbrush” more applicable to its general aspect, than that of “Painted Cup,” which of course only applies to the effect of the single calyx. In some localities the color is not scarlet, but yellow, it is reported. The plant is called a parasite by the botanists: it therefore may not be transplanted but glows in splendid patches of color in favorite camps of its own choosing.
| Thyme-leaved Speedwell. | Veronica serpyllifolia. |
| Paul’s Betony. |
Found, from May to July, in grassy fields, and along roadsides.
Many branches, varying from 3 to 7 inches in length, spring from the root, and lie on the ground (sometimes rooting so), their tips lifted erect among the grass blades; its growth is slender, leafy, firm of fibre, and smooth. Color green.
The small leaf is oval, with an entire, or slightly irregular, margin, prominent midrib, and smooth surface. In color, a cool green; the leaves, on short stems, are placed in pairs, near together,—at the end of the branch they become crowded.
The corolla is small, and resembles that of the Brooklime; delicate in texture and in color pure white, or streaked with lavender, or blue. The points of the 4-parted green calyx just show between the lobes of the flower. The two stamens are lavender tipped. The flowers, on small foot-stems, spring from the angles of the leaves for a considerable distance along the ends of the branches.
Contrary to the usual habit of the Speedwells these flowers do not fall immediately after they are picked.
American Brooklime. Veronica Americana.
Found by roadside runlets, and meadow brooks, in June and July.
The rather large stalk, sometimes creeps and then lifts itself to the height of 10 or 15 inches; it is hollow, juicy, and fine-fibred, and smooth. Pale green in color.
The long, oval leaf has a grooved midrib and slightly notched margin; it is juicy, and smooth. In color light green. The leaves, on short broad flat stems, that clasp the stalk, are placed in pairs, at right angles to each other.
The little circular corolla is cut into 4 scallops, of which 3 are round-pointed and of equal size, while the fourth is narrower and a trifle longer; the texture is delicate. The color is very pretty, a lavender-blue with slightly darker markings,—the center is white; the 2 stamens are pale purple. The calyx is 4-parted, the divisions narrow and pointed; green. The flowers, set on thread-stems, are placed in little, loose, terminal spires.
A first cousin to the Speedwell of English poetry. These tiny blossoms fall almost as soon as they open their pretty blue eyes, therefore let the observer rest content, without trying to pluck the tender stalks.
| Common Speedwell. | Veronica officinalis. |
| Upland Speedwell. |
Found in dry uplands and light woods in June and July.
The leafy stalk lies along the ground, with the flower-stems rising from it; it is round, downy, and tough. In color green.
The oval leaf, broad and rounded at the tip, tapers at the base into an exceedingly short stem: the edge is notched, and the surface downy. The leaves are set in pairs, and are of a rather light green color.
The small 4-parted flower shows the mark of the Speedwells in the inequality of the divisions, the lower one being much narrower than the other three. There are two stamens, a pistil, and a small green 4-parted calyx. The flowers are closely set on slender spires, rising from the angles of the leaves. Their color is a light lavender, lined with a darker tone.
The flat, heart-shaped pods ripen on the lower part of the spire while the upper part continues to bloom; the flowers speed quickly away,—with a glance, almost, they are gone, so lightly are they held in their green cups.
| Mullein. | Verbascum Thapsus. |
| High Taper. | |
| Candlewick. |
Found on dry, sandy soil, in fields, and among rocks, from June to September.
The single, leafy stalk rises from a foot-tuffet, to the height of 3 or 4 feet, usually, although it varies considerably; it is round, stout, and tough-fibred, covered with wool, which tempers the green and makes it whitey in tone.
The large (from 6 to 12 inches long) foot-leaves have very prominent ribs which show chiefly underneath, entire margins, and are thick, like a blanket with a very woolly surface; the stalk leaves are smaller, and more pointed, and are attached to the stalk for a part of their length,—they are otherwise like the large leaves. In color a whitish green.
The corolla is rather large, somewhat unequally 5-parted with rounded lobes, it is of a fine texture and smooth; in color, a clear pale yellow. The tips of the 5 stamens are orange; the pistil is green, and so is the 5-parted, woolly calyx. The flowers are set closely and numerously in a long, compact, club-shaped, terminal spike.
When the flower-stalk shoots up the foot-tuffet withers, and loses the richer color which, in spring, belongs to its leafage. The rosette forms in the fall,—if potted and wintered in the house, free from the choking dust of the highway, it develops a superfine quality of wool.
Moth Mullein. Verbascum Blattaria.
Found, during July and August, on sand-banks, pastures, and waysides.
The leafy, large, round stalk grows to be 2 or 3 feet high; it is tough-fibred, and the surface is ridgy and smooth; light green.
The large leaf is oblong in shape with an irregularly notched and toothed margin; its stout midrib is flattened above, all the ribs and veins show plainly, the texture being thin and smooth, the upper surface somewhat glossy. The lowest leaves are on short stems, the others are somewhat clasping; they are placed alternately, and near together. The color is a pleasing green.
The corolla is like the common Mullein in shape and texture; in color either yellow, or white, tinted with lavender. The 5 stamens, with curiously shaped, red-orange tips, are fringed with a double row of dull crimson, woolly threads; the pistil, also, is orange-tipped; the calyx is 5-parted, with slender tips. The flowers, on slender stems, are placed alternately, in long, leafy spires. All the calices, little leaves, and foot-stems are covered with fine woolly hairs.
The bud is 5-sided, and the seed-box is a good deal inflated. The peculiar orange of the stamen tips resembles a flowering moss,—their woolly fringe, of course, occasions the name. This elegantly growing plant, with its interesting leaf, is common only in certain localities.
| Downy False Foxglove. | Gerardia flava. |
| Downy Gerardia. |
Found in the shade of woods, in July.
The single, leafy stalk, which grows to be 3 or 4 feet high, is square, and hollow; of a stiff, strong fibre, downy with soft hairs. Dull rusty green in color.
The long narrow leaf is broadest at the base, with a tapering tip, the margin is entire or slightly toothed near the base (the edge of the lower leaves being somewhat wavy), the texture is rather thick, and the surface is downy, and like velvet to the touch; the color is yellow-green, slightly pinkish on the midrib. The leaves, on short, downy, purple tinted stems, are set in pairs, at right angles to each other.
The corolla is shaped like an urn, with 5 spreading, rounded lobes, their edges curving or even curling in toward the center; the texture is very fine and thin, showing the veins; the large throat is downy on the inside; sometimes the margin is crinkled; the color is a pure yellow. The 4 yellow stamens are divided into a long and a short pair; the pistil is green. The calyx is 5-parted with a noticeable rounded cleft between the divisions; it is half as long as the corolla, very downy, and green. The flowers, on short stems, are placed in pairs in the angles of the leaves forming a terminal spike.
Since the buds all incline to one side there is literally a back view to the spike. The flowers remain some days in the fullness of bloom, and as many as a dozen may be observed together on a single stalk; long after they have fallen the pistil lingers. The bud is very round at the tip, and exceptionally shining with a gloss that is lost to the opened blossom.
| Yellow Gerardia. | Gerardia pedicularia. |
| False Foxglove. |
Found on the edges of dry woods through August and September.
The stalk (from 2 to 8 feet in height) is branching, and very leafy, round, and soft to the touch, being covered with fine down. Its color is light green.
The leaf is long, much cut into rounded lobes, and bearing a general resemblance to a fern leaf; the texture is fine, and the surface soft, and downy; in color light green. The leaves are placed upon the stalk in pairs.
The tubular large corolla spreads into 5 rounded, slightly irregular lobes, and is a little hairy in the throat; color, a pure clear yellow; the pistil is a thread of green, and the stamens are 4 in number; the green calyx is unequally 5-parted. The flowers, on short curving foot-stems, are usually arranged in pairs, springing from the angles of the upper leaves.
A fragrance, slightly suggestive of Sweet-Fern belongs to the leaves. This plant is noticeable for the fine texture of its parts; the pointed green seed-pod rising from the frill of the calyx has also a decorative value. All the Gerardias bear the stigma of being “clandestine root parasites,”—they do not therefore seem worthy namesakes of the honest, nature-loving old Herbalist, Gerarde, who lived in the days when botanists wrote plain English. According to Gray the suckers of the roots of these plants not only fasten upon other growths, but upon their own, thus preying upon themselves.
| Slender Gerardia. | Gerardia tenuifolia. |
| Little Gerardia. |
Found, during August and September, on dry banks.
The erect, branching, and sparingly leafy stalk grows from 4 to 10 inches high; it is slender, and smooth. Green, tinged with reddish-brown.
The leaves are long and narrow, almost needle-like; in color green. They are set alternately upon the stalk.
The corolla is an irregular bell-shape with 5 rounded lobes, 2 being smaller than the others, and folded over to cover the pistil and stamens; its color is a pale magenta. The 4 stamens are woolly, and yellow-tinted; the calyx is small and 5-toothed, and green. The flowers grow on slender foot-stems along the sides of the stalk and branches.
As the fruit ripens the stems and seed-boxes turn reddish-brown. This is a common flower along roadsides.
| Butter-and-Eggs. | Linaria vulgaris. |
| Jacob’s Ladder. | |
| Ramsted. |
Found from July to September in fields, meadows, and roadsides.
The very leafy, and slightly branching, stalk varies in height from 1 to 2 or 3 feet; it is slender, round, of a firm close fibre, and smooth. Light gray-green in color.
The narrow long leaf is like a grass-blade, with an entire margin, fine texture, and smooth surface. It is pale gray-green, lighter underneath. The leaves are set close on the stalk, the arrangement being alternate, and near together.
The flower is 2-lipped; the lower lip is 3-lobed, the middle lobe being short and small, with a swelling above, which nearly closes the throat of the corolla; the base of the lip is prolonged into a slender, pointed spur; the upper lip is 2-lobed, the divisions bend outward and over the lower lip; the texture is fine, and smooth, the throat being lined with a glossy plush-like down; the color is a pure lemon yellow, the protuberance on the lower lip golden-orange. The 4 stamens are pale with cheese-colored tips; the pistil is tipped with green. The small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers, on short small foot-stems, are arranged alternately, and close, in a terminal spike, the spurs turning downward.
A charming feature of the blossom is the arch of the meeting tips of the long pair of stamens above the shorter pair and the little pistil; the two rows of orange velvet that run down the inside of the corolla are also highly ornamental. This plant is a prime favorite with children, but few among grown observers stop to consider the admirable clarity of its lemon and orange hues. It is gregarious and grows in colonies.
Wild Toad Flax. Linaria Canadensis.
Found on sandy barrens during August and September.
The very slender and delicate stalk (from 10 to 12 inches in height) branches a little; its leafage is sparse, and it is very smooth and shining. In color light green.
The small leaf is narrow and fine-pointed, with an entire margin; the texture is rather thick, and the surface is smooth; light green. The leaves are set upon the stalk alternately, and at regular intervals.
The small flower is 2-lipped, with a spur; the upper lip is divided into 2 sharp little points, the lower lip is larger and cut into 3 rounding scallops,—it presses against the upper with a prominent swelling near the throat of the corolla, the curving spur is thread-like; the texture is thin, and the color is a delicate lavender, with a white spot on the under lip; the calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers are set on short fine stems in a dainty terminal spire.
The stalk springs from a little mat of very leafy shoots, which lie on the ground, spreading outwards from the root. In color and general trigness of bearing this pretty plant presents a superficial resemblance to the Lobelias.
Cow Wheat. Melampyrum Americanum.
Found on the borders of light woods from July to September.
The stalk is 4 to 6 inches,—or perhaps more,—high; it is branching, leafy, woody-fibred, and slightly rough to the touch. In color, reddish-gray.
The lower leaves are long and narrow, with entire margins; the upper are broader and cut at the base into long spine-like notches; the surface is slightly rough. Color, yellow-green, growing lighter toward the flowers. They are set on the stalk in pairs.
The inconspicuous flowers are tubular and 2-lipped; greenish white, the lower lip being pale yellow; their calices 4-cleft, small, and green. They grow singly from the angles of the upper leaves.
The shadowy stamens, seen under the arch of the upper lip, are vaguely suggestive of an eye. This is a tidy little plant, with no pretensions to beauty.
Monkey Flower. Mimulus ringens.
Found in the wet grounds of waysides and meadows, from July to September.
The branching and leafy stalk, from 1 to 2 feet in height, is square, slightly grooved, fine-fibred, and smooth. In color green.
The leaf is a narrow, oblong shape, tapering to the tip, with obscure notches, fine texture, and smooth surface; color, green. The leaves grow opposite to each other, partly clasping the stalk.
The corolla is 2-lipped, the upper lip being erect and 2-lobed, the lower 3-lobed, with 2 small swellings near the tightly-closed throat; the color is a clear light violet, with 2 yellowish patches near the throat. The pistil, and 4 stamens, which are divided into a long and a short pair, are all whitish. The 5-angled, and 5-pointed, green calyx is tinged with dull violet color. The flowers are set on short stems that spring singly from the angles of the upper leaves.
Only a few flowers open at one time, and the plants themselves grow sparsely, by twos and threes, among the sedgy grasses of damp hollows, where its clear color and neat leafage render it attractive to the sauntering observer.
| Turtle-head. | Chelone glabra. |
| Snake-head. |
Found, in low and swampy ground, during August and September.
The single stalk (from 1 to 2 or 3 feet high) is large, and square, and grooved on the two opposite sides; it is tough-fibred, and hollow; rigid in gesture. In color, a light yellowish-green.
The long, narrow, oval leaf tapers gradually to a long tip, has a sharply toothed margin, and strongly marked ribs; it is of a coarse tough fibre although its surface is smooth. Its color is dark green, lighter underneath. The leaves, on very short stems, occur in pairs.
This curious flower is 2-lipped; the upper lip is arched, and folded together with a slight notch in the middle of its margin, the lower lip is 3-lobed; the throat is compressed and filled within by woolly hairs. In texture the corolla is smooth and leathery; in color it is dull white, or sometimes tinged faintly with pink. Under the arched upper lip the tips of the dark, wool-covered stamens show. The calyx, formed of 5, distinct, oval, pale green parts, is surrounded by broader leafy bracts. The flowers grow in short, crowded, terminal clusters.
The resemblance to the turtle or snake is most apparent in the bud where the reptile-like mouth is quite pronounced. The plant lurks among the sedges of swampy lands, and is generally unattractive, for its foliage is almost always so eaten by insects that a perfect leaf is rarely to be found.