Rural School Leaflet 



12 13 



These plants belong to the iris family. In this family are also found 

 the blue flag, blue-eyed grass, and gladiolus. 



Iris. — The iris, or blue flag, belongs to the iris family. It is nearly 

 always a strong plant, with rhizomes or tubers. The flowers are for the 

 most part large and showy. The three outer segments are recurved, 

 and the three inner ones, usually smaller, are more nearly erect and some- 

 times incurving. The leaves are long and sword-shaped. 



In the iris family belong the crocus, blue-eyed grass, and gladiolus. 



Nasturtium. — ■ The nasturtium of the garden is well known. There 

 are two kinds, the climbing and the dwarf. The plant is a tender herb, 

 which, when climbing, does so by means of leaf stalks. The leaves are 

 shield-shaped and about six-angled. One of the five sepals is extended 

 into a long, nectar-bearing spur. The petals are usually five, with nar- 

 row claws, often bearded. There are eight stamens. The petals are 

 much longer than the calyx and have many tints and shades of yellow 

 and red, from cream color to almost black. 



The nasturtium belongs to the geranium family, as do the common 

 wild cranesbill, herb robert, and garden geranium. 





Nasturtium 



O urging impulse, born of spring. 

 That makes glad A pril of my soul 

 No bird however wild of wing 

 Is more impatient of control. 



It tells me all that I would know 

 Of birds and buds, of blooms and bees; 

 I seem to hear the blossoms blow 

 And leaves unfolding on the trees." 



MADISON 



C A WE IN 



