, Magenta to Pink 



much-cleft segments, and the little cheeses are densely hairy, we 

 may safely call the plant Musk Mallow (M. moschata), and expect 

 to find it blooming throughout the summer. 



Marsh St.-John's-wort 



{Triadenitm yirginicum) St.-John's-wort family 

 {Elodea Virginica of Gray) 



Floiuers—^^\^ magenta, pink, or flesh color, about >4 in. across, in 

 terminal clusters, or from leaf axils. Calyx of 5 equal sepals, 

 persistent on fruit ; 5 petals ; 9 or more stamens united m 3 sets ; 

 pistil of 3 distinct styles. Stem: i to 1/2 ft. high simple, 

 leafy. Leaves : Opposite, pale, with black, glandular dots, 

 broadly oblong, entire edged, seated on stem or clasping by 

 heart-shaped base. Fruit: An oblong, acute, deep red 

 capsule. 



Preferred Habitat—S^d.m^^ and cranberry bogs. 



Flowerms 6'mi-^;z— July— September. 



Distribution— \.^\iX?.&ox to the Gulf, and westward to Nebraska. 



Late in the summer, after the rather insignificant pink flowers 

 have withered, this low plant, which almost never lacks some color 

 in its green parts, greatly increases its beauty by tinting stems, 

 leaves and seed vessels with red. Like other members of the 

 family, the flower arranges its stamens in little bundles of three, 

 and when an insect comes to feast on the abundant pohen-no 

 nectar being secreted— he cannot avoid rubbing some off on the 

 sticrmas that are on a level with the anthers. He may sometimes 

 caiTy pollen from blossom to blossom, it is true, but certainly 

 the St;-lohn's-wort takes no adequate precautions against self- 

 fertilization at any time. Toward the close of its existence the 

 flower draws its petals together toward the axils, thus bringing 

 anthers and stigmas in contact. 



Spiked Willow-herb; Long Purples; Spiked 

 or Purple Loosestrife 



{Lythrum Saiicaria) Loosestrife family 



Flowers-mgU magenta (royal purple) or pinkish Pujple, about 

 ^2 in broad, crowded in whorls around long bracted sp kes. 

 Calyx tubular, ribbed, 5 to 7 toothed, with small projections 

 between. Corolla of 5 or 6 slightly wrinkled or twisted 

 petals. Stamens, in 2 whorls of 5 or 6 each, and i pistil, 

 occurring in three different lengths. Stem : 2 to 3 ft. high, 



115 



