6 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



gins to bloom it produces from one to six flowers every even- 

 ing throughout the summer. It i> a very handsome and at- 

 tractive species. 



There are probably a hundred species of evening prim- 

 roses. Nurserymen and gardeners incline to place all these 

 in the genus Oenothera, but botanists, noting small differences 

 in the flowers, have at times made several smaller divisions 

 with such, generic names as Kneiffia, Onagra, Lcvauxia 

 Hartiinnmia. etc Most of the species are North American, 

 and all could probably be greatly improved by cultivation. 

 Practically the only claims they have to our attention are 

 their beauty anl interesting habits, though the root of our 

 common species is sometimes eaten in Europe and is said to 

 have a flavor like that of oyster plant. 



FLORA OF THE MICHIGAN SAND DUNES 



By Mary Earle Hardy 



T T is a surprise on digging into the dunes to find so much 

 ■'• moisture under the surface of the sand, and that streams 

 trickle, and ponds and marshes lie. in the hollows among the 

 hills. The wide stretches of dune marshes are another sur- 

 prise and their beauty is beyond expression. 



We wonder that any plant dares attempt a settlement 

 where mountains of sand are carried by the winds ; where 

 deserts stretch farther than the eye can see. Yet plants are 

 full of courage. The dunes are battle-grounds and the stu- 

 dent comes upon many a hero-tale among the trees and other 

 plants of our Lake Michigan areas of driven sands. 



Close to the water's are the "wave-tormented sands" 



