ne Re OR reg 
73 
The two do not intergrade here, something which might be 
expected where they are so intimately associated in some places 
that both forms can be taken up with the same handful of earth, 
with their roots intermingling. Hence there is little difficulty in 
distinguishing each, their involucral leaves in most cases being at 
once decisive. Sometimes the typical form becomes low, and oc- 
casionally pilose, generally in poor soil or in the sand region, but 
it preserves the main characteristics of the plant, and rarely de- 
ceives one. 
As found here the following descriptions will give their points 
of similarity or difference: 
TRADESCANTIA VIRGINICA L. 
Plants glaucous, stems single or clustered, 1-5 feet high, gen- 
erally 114-3 feet, simple, or frequently branched, smooth. Leaves 
channeled, narrow, linear to linear-lanceolate, scarcely ciliate ex- 
cept at base, the sheaths and base of the leaves on the lower part 
of the stem sometimes pilose. Involucral leaves mostly shorter 
than the stem-leaves, generally much shorter, often abruptly con- 
tracted from an ovate base, which usually sheaths the umbel when 
in bud. Umbel simple, many flowered. Peduncles and calyx 
smooth. Flowers blue, varying to purplish blue. Roots coarsely 
fibrous, variable in color, whitish to yellow. 
Abundant in open woods, fields and borders of woods. 
May—August. 
T. Virernica L. var. vi.tosa Watson. 
Plants green, rarely glaucous, stems single or oftener clustered, 
2-15 in. high, mostly 5-10 in., simple or occasionally branched, 
sometimes flexuose, smooth or hairy. Leaves flattish, promi- 
nently nerved, broadly linear to linear lanceolate, ciliolate, hairy 
or roughish with short hairs, especially the upper, the lower be- 
_coming smooth or smoothish. Involucral leaves usually longer 
and broader than the stem leaves, %4-11% in. wide, gradually” 
tapering from the base, which scarcely or not at all sheaths the sim- 
ple, many flowered umbel. Peduncles and calyx villous. Flow- 
-€rs commonly purplish-blue, varying to blue. Roots coarsely 
fibrous, yellow, often deep yellow. : 
Woods or borders of woods, frequently in rather dense woods. 
May-—June.* 
* Torrey (Flora of the Northern and Middle Sections of the United States, 1824, 
335); ene: Bs T. Virginica as if he had this form in hand. He says pe is 
‘‘about a foot high,” the involucrum “large, 2-leaved,” « flowers algae h "2 
is given as the time of flowering. He adds, “ My specimensare from Lake Michgan. 
! By. OL. 
Cuicaco, ILL. 
‘ 
