42 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



through the summer, in this respect being' quite unlike the 

 leaves of many spring flowers, which disappear almost as soon 

 as the fruiting season is over. 



The common name of the bloodsroot is derived from the 

 red juice or latex which is found in all parts of the plant, hut 

 is most abundant in the thick subterranean rootstock. Prac- 

 tically all the poppy family, to which the bloodroot belongs, 

 has a colored latex of some kind that in some cases is of com- 

 mercial value. From the latex of the poppy are derived both 

 opium and morphine. The bloodroot, itself, is regarded as 

 medicinal and is a favorite ingredient in cough mixtures. 



The bloodroot thrives in any good garden soil and if 

 given the minimum of attention will take care of itself. Being 

 a shade plant by nature, it takes readily to the north side of 

 buildings and other shady places where many other plants 

 refuse to grow. At flowering time, however, a certain 

 amount of sunlight is desirable in producing the conditions to 

 which it is accustomed in its forest home. 



We are indebted to Mr. Carl Krebs of Cleveland, Ohio, 

 for the excellent photograph from which our frontispiece was 

 made. 



WESTERN MALODOROUS PLANTS 



By J. C. Nelson. 



r I 'HE region of the Pacific Northwest is able to offer a 

 ■*" few candidates for insertion in the list of plants with 

 offensive or disagreeable odor. While the personal equation 

 will necessarily figure somewhat largely in making up any 

 list of this kind, there is little doubt that the normal nose will 

 react very uniformly in the case of most of these species. My 

 own observations have been confined for the most part to the 



