DEEP, COOL, MOIST WOODS 377 



Leaves, whorled on the stem just below the flowers, narrow^ 

 sessile. A few scales below. Time, May. 



Calyx, 7-partecl. G;;-^/Az, 6 or 7-pointed, spreading petals,, 

 united at base. A very delicate flower, on small, wiry stems, 

 2 or more blossoms arising from a whorl of comparatively 

 large leaves. The diminutive, open flower contrasts strikingly 

 with the handsome, thin, pointed leaves. 



The plant grows by means of a slender rootstock about 2 feet 

 long, from which the leaf and flower-stems ascend. 

 New England to Virginia, and westward. 



48. Poke-milkweed 



Ascl^pias phytolacco)des. — Family, Milkweed. Color, 

 greenish ; hoods white. Leaves, long, 6 to 8 inches broad,, 

 the upper narrow, pointed, short-petioled. Time, summer. 



A tall, rank -growing species of milkweed, 3 to 5 feet high, 

 with pedicelled flowers in terminal and lateral umbels. The 

 horn projecting from the white hood has a long, somewhat 

 curved point. Stem, 3 to 5 feet high. The flowers are loosely 

 clustered, each on a limp, drooping pedicel, as long as the 

 common peduncle. 



New England, south to Georgia and Alabama. 



49. Pinkroot. "Worm-grass 



Spigelia Marilandica. — Family, Logania. Color, red and 

 yellow. Leaves, opposite, their stipules united, sessile, ovate 

 or lance-shaped, pointed. 7»;?(?, June, July. 



Calyx, 5-parted. Corolla, with a long tube, having a 5-lobed 

 border, which is red outside, yellow within. Stamens, 5, and 

 with the //i'/// protruding. Fhnvers, showy, in i-sided spikes 

 or flat clusters. 



New Jersey southward and westward. 



50. Obolaria 

 Obolaria Virgfnica. — Family, Gentian. Color, white or 



