II 



GREEN 



INDIAN POKE. FALSE HELLEBORE. 



Veratrum viride. Lily Family. 



Root. — Poisonous; coarse and fibrous. Stem. — Stout; two to seven feet 

 high; very leafy to the top. Leaves. — Broadly oval ; pointed; clasping. 

 Flowers. — Dull greenish ; clustered. Perianth. — Of six spreading sepals. 

 Stamens. — Six. Pistil. — One, with three styles. 



When we go to the swampy woods in March or April we 

 notice an array of green, soHd-looking spears which have just ap- 

 peared above the ground. If we handle one of these we are im- 

 pressed with its firmness and rigidity. When the increasing 

 warmth and sunshine have tempted the veiny, many-plaited 

 leaves of the false hellebore to unfold themselves it is difficult to 

 realize that they composed that sturdy tool which so effectively 

 tunnelled its way upward to the earth's surface. The tall stems 

 and large bright leaves of this plant are very noticeable in the 

 early year, forming conspicuous masses of foliage while the trees 

 and shrubs are still almost leafless. The dingy flowers which 

 appear in June rarely attract attention, unless by their lack o/ 

 beauty. 



CARRION-FLOWER. CAT-BRIER. 



Smilax herbacea. Lily Family. 



Stem. — Climbing, three to fifteen feet high. Leaves. — Ovate, or rounded 

 heart-shaped, or abruptly cut off at base. Llo'cvers. — Greenish or yellowish ; 

 small; clustered; unisexual. Perianth. — Six-parted. Stamens. — Six. 

 Pistil. — One, with three spreading stigmas. (Stamens and pistils occurring 

 on different plants.) Fruit. — A bluish-black berry. 



One whiff of the foul breath of the carrion flower suffices for 

 its identification. Thoreau likens its odor to that of '* a dead 



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