BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



Vol.2. OCTOBER, 1877. Mo. 12. 



Variations of Color in Flowers. — Botanizing recently with some friends on 

 the Mah^en Higlibinds, (Mass.), we found a pure white variety of Gsrardia temdfolla. 

 The color was clear and distinct, and as the plants were growing with the i)urph>tl(nv- 

 ered, without auy intermediate tints, it seemed to be a remarkable instance of transition 

 from a primary to another, and an extremely different color. Further on, however, we 

 found one purple-flowered plant with a single branch bearing white flowers with a sin- 

 gle large purple blotch on each of the lower petals, being a very pretty sport. 



More recently, on going over the same ground alone, I found plants Avith the flow- 

 ers all pure white, and plants with the flowers all variegated purple and white. 



As I have not before met with such a variation in this species, and do not recall any 

 mentiv.m of it, I thought it might be of suflicient interest to make a note of, merely as 

 another instance on the part of certain colors to var}' to white, and in connection with it 

 ofl'er the following notes: 



Some flowers that vary to white pass through a certain transition of tints from the 

 formation ot the bud until the full expansion of the flower, before becoming pure white, 

 while others are white fri:)m the first starting of the bud. In the former instance the 

 flowers on Ijcing pressed return to what we might call the bud color, and retain that col- 

 or when dry. In tiie latter instance the flowers remain white after being pressed, and 

 becoming dry. In the case of the Gerardia, I find that all the flowers that were white, 

 when fully expanded remain white after being pressed, showing no transition of tints in 

 their development. 



There is a very pretty rose-colored variety of this species of Gerardia that not only 

 retains the color of its flowers on being pres.sed, but, also, retains the color of its stem 

 and foliage, instead of turning black like the normal condition of the species. This 

 appears to be the case also with the white variety that I have now pressed. 



It is not always the case that a change of color in a flower is an improvement, but 

 this little white Gerardia pleases me even more than the purple. 



We have in Massachusetts one of tlie most beautiful flowers in all the floral king- 

 dom — the charming Sabbaiin chloroides. The exquisite tint of this lovely flower is 

 something that escapes description. To call it pink, rose color, or rose jjink, as is some- 

 times done, does not seem to me to express it at all, and certainly does not give any idea 

 of the beautiful markings that encircle the base of the petals. But this indescribable 

 tint, with the most delicately-faint, but deliciously-sweet odor, that is scarcely percep- 

 tible in a single flower, but which, when the flowers are gathered in a bunch and placed 

 in a vase, will gradually fill a room with a perfume even more delicate, and no less 

 sweet than that of the wild rose, combine to make this gem of midsummer an object of 

 admiration to all who see it. 



I have introduced this notice of it here in order to mention a white variety that also 

 grows with us, but which, to me, is interesting only as a ncn-clty that serves, by waj' of 

 contrast, to make the superior beaut}' of the other still more conspicuous. 



This white variety, however, is peculiar in the transition of tints that it undergoes 

 in expanding its flowers. The bud, and half-opened flowers are of a pale lavender color 

 which gradually fades out until it becomes white in the fully expanded flowers; these 

 white flowers again on being pressed, return to the lavender tint which they continue 

 to retain on becoming dry. 



