BROAD-LEAVED ARROW-HEAD 



The Arrow-head stands by the waterside, sometimes 

 in single rank along the shore, again in close beds; some- 

 times it apparently wades out into midstream, but 

 whether in shallow or in depth takes wonderful care to 

 keep its head above water; the firm, erect petioles hold 

 up each leaf as triumphantly as a stork standing upon 

 one leg. 



Among these brilliant pointed leaves, in midsum- 

 mer are leafless stems bearing whorls of white flowers 

 in groups of threes. Some of these flowers have bright 

 yellow centres; these are the staminate flowers; others 

 have a tiny green ball for centre, these are the pistillate 

 flowers. Sometimes these little balls lose their petals; 

 they are the pistillate flowers reduced to their lowest 

 terms. 



The leaves vary as well as the flowers. The blade 

 is sometimes a broad arrow-head; again it is so narrow 

 that it seems a mere skeleton of a leaf. This narrow 

 form is now regarded as a separate species. 



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