WILD, OR NATIVE FLOWERS. 3^ 



Before so many extensive tracts of forest had been cut down, 

 the Wild GarUc was to be found in all beech and maple woods. But it 

 is becoming very rare, and you hear no more complaints of leeky milk 

 and butter. 



Phlox — Phlox divaricata (L.) 



We have in Canada several species of this family, and all are 

 worthy of cultivation. Phlox divaricata is found on dry grassy wastes. 

 by forest roads, in shady spots. It is a plant of slender growth, about 

 twelve or eighteen inches high, with slender lanceolate pointed leaves 

 somewhat clasping the stem; flowers in a flat spreading head terminal on 

 the slightly stalked branches, corolla salver shaped, primrose-like ; calyx 

 with slender pointed sepals ; colour of the petals, pale lilac, scalloped at 

 the edges — it is an elegant species. A small variety of this beautiful 

 flower has also been found in low meadows near the Ottawa river 

 growing in great profusion in some of the North-eastern townships — its 

 beautiful blue flowers formed an attractive feature in the landscape. 



A gentlemen who had an especial love for the beauties of nature 

 was much struck with the beauty of this very lovely flower, and brought 

 home some roots ; the plant was then in full bloom. They continued to 

 flourish till the following spring, when they disappeared entirely. The 

 leaves were of a full rich glossy green, delicately fringed with silky 

 purplish hairs; flowers, not so large as the P. divaracata found here; 

 heads loose on long footstalks springing from between the slightly 

 clasping leaves ; roots white, fibrous. 



A charming little dwart Phlox is that known by the gardener as 

 Moss Pink, or Lake Erie Moss. The slender pointed grassy looking 

 foliage and abundant pink flowers, its low tufted growth and hardy 

 character, make it most valuable as an edging for flower beds. It comes 

 early and remains»for some time in bloom, and even when the blossoms 

 have faded, the bright cheerful verdure that remains, has a good effect 

 as a pretty edging to the beds. It grows in large cushion-like plots 

 when not used as an edging for borders. 



Gold Thread — Coptis trifolia (Salisb), 

 In the deep shady forest we are attracted by the bright glossy thrice 

 parted (trifoliate) leaves of this pretty plant. In early Spring its delicate 

 white starry flowers, on upright slender foot-stalks appear, just peeping 

 above the mosses among which it delights to grow. The modest pearly 

 white star-shaped blossoms, contrast well with the dark evergreen shining 

 leaves, and orange thready roodets, that may be seen among the light 

 feathery mosses, hardly concealed, for they are barely' covered by the 

 mould in which they grow. The orange fibrous roots and rootlets are 



