238 THE PLANT WORLD 



Our National Flower.* 



By W. E. Wolcott. 



There has never been a presidential contest in the history of this 

 country when the struggle for supremacy between the rival candidates 

 has been more spirited in a way than is that which has arisen over the 

 question of selecting a national flower, and certainly none in which such 

 a long time has been required to reach a decision. Ordinarily in a pres- 

 idential campaign there are but two men who stand much of a chance of 

 winning, no matter how many may be in the field ; but in the contest 

 over the national floral emblem there are numerous candidates for public 

 favor, and just at present it can not be said that any one of them seems 

 to have a better prospect of being chosen than another. Among the 

 numerous flowers which have been suggested as appropriate are the 

 golden rod, columbine, rose, \nolet, daisj^ pans5^ arbutus, anemone, and 

 more recently the sunflower, tobacco, and Indian paint-brush. All of 

 them have enthusiastic supporters and eloquent arguments have been 

 advanced in favor of each. 



In behalf of the solidago or golden rod it has been argued that it is a 

 plant which abounds in this country, and nowhere in the world thrives 

 so luxuriantly or is so widely distributed. About 80 species of golden 

 rod are native to the United States, and of these 42 species can be found 

 in our northeastern States. In early autumn its bright flower heads of 

 golden 37ellow gleam in every field and meadow, fringe every country 

 highway, and make glad the waste places ever3'where. Ours is more 

 truly the land of gold than any other beneath the skies ; the land where 

 gold is mined, where gold is coined, where gold is earned and freely 

 expended ; the land of golden sunshine, golden hours, golden opportun- 

 ities and golden dreams, some of which are realized and others of which are 

 not. Further than this it is set forth that the golden rod, growing as it 

 does so freely throughout the land, is typical of the liberty and freedom 

 which our people enjoy. It is a beautiful, conspicuous flower and one 

 which would certainly form a very pretty emblem. Thus argue the 

 friends of solidago. The chief argument against selecting it as the 

 national flower is the fact that it blooms so late in the season and is not 

 available for decorative purposes when most wanted. The generic name 

 is from two Greek words which signify "to make whole," and refer to 

 the healing properties which have been attributed to the genus. 



The aquilegia or columbine has a great many friends, and they are so 

 enthusiastic in its behalf that a Columbine Association was formed in 



* We reprint herewith in part from The Ulica (N. 'V.) Journal a paper read before the Asa Gray 

 Botanical Club of that city, and commimicated to us by Dr. Geo. V. Haberer.— Ed. • • 



