RUNNING MALLOW 



Pistil. — Ovary of about fifteen carpels, rounded on the 

 back, downy, arranged in a circle. 



Fruit. — Groups of carpels. 



Capable of self-fertilization. Nectar-bearing. 



This is the low, spreading plant with round, dark 

 green leaves that hugs the dooryard fence, runs along 

 the base of the wall by 

 the roadside, and comes 

 into the garden when it 

 can. It is a bad weed, 

 for its root is coarsely 

 fibrous, strong, and 

 spreading and takes hold 

 of the earth with a tre- 

 mendous grip; the stems 

 also spread so that the 

 plant really forms a mat. 

 Its blossom is a tiny 

 Hollyhock — in color, 

 w^hat — since doctors dis- 

 agree. Three botanies and the blossom lie before me 

 as I write — one says it is pale blue, another lavender, 

 another pink, and the blossom says, at least to me, pale 

 blue suffused with pink and faintly lined with veinings 

 of a deeper hue. The color of flowers is, of all colors, 

 the most difficult to express in words^ so much of it is 

 made up of sunlight. At any rate, the flowers of this 

 little Mallow yield a blue coloring matter, which no 

 doubt settles the question in favor of blue by the last 

 analysis. The round, scalloped leaves are slightly 

 fluted by the radiating ribs and are set on long, rough, 

 awkward petioles. 



117 



Running Mallow. Mdlva rotundifdlia 



