78 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Of the stemless violets are the following : 



V. peclata. L. Bird-foot Violet. Flower-stem or scape 

 3-5 inches high, several from one root ; leaves radical, pedate, 

 , or bird-foot-like, 5 - 7-parted, smoolhish, the divisions being 

 linear-lanceolate ; stigma large, compressed, truncate, and per- 

 forate at the apex ; blossoms in May, grows in woods and dry- 

 soils ; flowers large and blue. Abounds in the towns on Con- 

 necticut River, and in the eastern towns, and is becoming useful 

 for its medicinal virtues. Dr. Partridge, of Stockbridge. 



V. cucullata. Ait. Common Field Violet. A variable spe- 

 cies, in its leaves and pubescence, common in w^et fields or 

 meadows ; has large blue flowers, more or less variegated, on radi- 

 cal stems ; 3 - 6 inches high ; leaves turned in at their base so as 

 to resemble a monk's cowl, and hence its technical name ; April 

 and May. 



V. palmata. L. Hand Violet. Receives its name from the 

 leaves being lobed and cut so as to resemble the shape of the 

 hand ; of which some are certainly finely palmate ; varying as the 

 leaves do, they seem too far removed from the preceding to be 

 only a variety, as some have thought. Grows in wet grounds ; 

 blossoms in May ; flowers middle-sized, blue. 



V. primulifolia. L. Leaves smooth, oblong-ovate, partially 

 heart-shaped and obtusish, pubescent on the nerves beneath ; 

 petals obtuse, and the 2 side ones slightly bearded ; flowers 

 white and odorous, with long floral leaves ; wet grounds ; May. 

 Found lately in the eastern part of the State. E. Tuckerman, Jr. 



V. ovata. N. Grows on dry, sandy hills or fields, very 

 close to the ground, having bright blue flowers on short stems, 

 with flat ovate, subcordate, crenate leaves ; whole plant pubes- 

 cent ; May. 



V. villosa. Walt. Very pubescent, with kidney-form, cor- 

 date leaves, thick and flat on the ground ; like the preceding ; 

 May, on dry hills. 



