22 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Aquilegia. L. 12. 5. Columbine. 



«^. Canadensis. L. Red Columbine. Stem a foot or more 

 high, branching, smooth, with decompound leaves ; flowers red 

 or yellowish, singular in form, pendant, with the stamens extend- 

 ing a little from the flower, terminating behind in a straight horn, 

 knobbed and sweet ; a beautiful plant, flowers in April and May, 

 and should be cultivated for its beauty ; inhabits dry woods and 

 fields, and rocky situations. Canada to Virginia. 



t^. vulgaris. L. Is cultivated in gardens for its fine blue 

 beautiful flower ; the horn or spur, terminating in the knob, is 

 crooked. The power of cultivation has caused these flowers 

 sometimes to become double, a hollow horn being enclosed in 

 another. Exotic, from England. 



The seeds of this genus are said to be tonic. DC. Some 

 insects get access to the sugar of the horn by inserting their tongue 

 through an opening made into the tube. 



The genus is named from the aquiline or eagle-shaped form of 

 the spur. 



Clematis. L. 12. 12. 



C. Virginiana. L. Virgin's Bower. From the Greek for 

 a tendril. Loudon. 



This beautiful plant climbs and fastens itself by the twining of 

 the leaf-stalks around branches of shrubs ; flower-stalks rise from 

 the axils of the leaves, and bear a cluster of white flowers ; the 

 fruit has long feathery tails, being the lengthened and enlarged 

 style, and presenting a singular and beautiful appearance in ma- 

 turity. Flowers in August ; spread over much of North Ameri- 

 ca, in woods and low grounds. 



Atragene. L. 12. 12. 



.yj. .Americana. Sims. " An elegant climbing vine, with 

 large flowers. The stem gives off opposite axillary buds, out 

 of each of which proceed 2 ternate leaves, and a fine purple 

 flower. Petals 4, oblong-ovate, ciliate, an inch or more in length." 

 Big. Flowers in June, and grovi^s on the hills and in the valleys 



