PICKEREL-WEED FAMILY 



upper lip of three ovate lobes, the middle lobe longest; 

 the lower lip of three spreading lobes. 



Stamens. — Six, bright blue, borne at unequal distances 

 upon the perianth tube; three of them opposite the 

 lower lip; the others opposite the upper lip. 



Pistil. — Ovary three-celled, two of the cells abortive 

 and empty. 



Fruit. — A one-seeded capsule enclosed in the base of 

 the perianth. 



The Pickerel-weed dwells by choice at the margin 

 of shallow, clear-flowing northern streams where trout 

 and pickerel disport themselves in the clear cool 

 water. The plant still stands in its ancient home, but 

 of late years has come into the water-gardens as well 

 and made the acquaintance of civilization. 



The stout stalk rises one to four feet from a hori- 

 zontal rootstock. It bears one solitary, large, heart- 

 shaped leaf and is crowned with a showy spike of bright 

 blue ephemeral blossoms — blue from tip to toe, perianth 

 blue, filaments, anthers, and style, all blue — with but 

 one tiny dash of yellow within each open cup. 



i8 



