ODOROUS FLOWERS OF TEXAS 



By Cecilia A. Middlebrook. 



have divided the odorous flowers of this region into two 

 **■ groups: in the first, placing those flowers about which 

 there is a difference of opinion as to whether they are pleasant 

 or disagreeable, and in the second, naming those whose scent 

 is compelling as to its sweetness. 



Verbena bipinnatifida is the earliest in class 1. To some 

 its odor is unpleasant, but others do not find it so. Perhaps 

 its early beauty makes a too refined distinction seem ungrateful. 

 Closely following it in blooming period, from about the latter 

 part of March to the second or third week in April, according 

 to the season, comes Amsonia Texana, reminiscent of tobacco, 

 not sweet nor yet repellant. It paints charming patches of pale 

 blue on top of the limestone uplands here. 



About the same time in the lowlands, or on the high banks 

 of streams, the air is sure to be heavy with the emanation of 

 the wild plum blossoms, whose agreeableness to me is deter- 

 mined by the softness of the breezes. Gently blowing in fitful 

 puffs, they carry the spirit of spring delicately embodied, but 

 sometimes they appear to be stirring with the very grossness 

 of its weight. Perhaps a little later, bordering the streams, 

 Amorpha Texana may be waving its sticky purple fingers in 

 the air or laving them in the water as if to remove the varnishv 

 odor. The glands of Cassia marilandica blooming in the sum- 

 mer smell somewhat like it. 



June sees the erection of countless pagodas of Monarda 

 aristata and the incense pouring forth from them appeals to 



