LILY-OF-THE- VALLEY FAMILY 125 



the petals are commonly white. This variation is 

 a remarkable one; were it not for the gradations 

 to be found between the two colors the plants 

 bearing each would be likely to be considered as 

 a distinct species. 



The reddish color and peculiar disagreeable 

 odor are believed to be for the purpose of attract- 

 ing bluebottle flies and similar insects, which feed 

 upon the dull yellow pollen. 



The Birthroot is a widely distributed species. 

 In the north it is found from Nova Scotia to 

 Manitoba and in the south from North Carolina 

 to Missouri. It is common throughout New 

 England, occurring in damp, rich woods. 



The Sessile-flowered Trillium is one of the 

 least attractive of the Wakerobins. As the name 

 indicates, the flower has no stalk, springing 

 directly from the bases of the leaves. The petals 

 stand up nearly vertically and are of a purplish 

 or greenish color. Notwithstanding its appear- 

 ance the flower has a rather pleasant odor. In the 

 east the species is not distributed very far north, 

 being found from Pennsylvania to Florida and 

 extending west to Minnesota and Mississippi. 



The interesting Nodding Wakerobin is distrib- 

 uted in woods from Nova Scotia to Minnesota 

 and south to Missouri and Georgia. It bears a 

 somewhat general resemblance to the Ill-scented 

 Wakerobin, with which it is sometimes confused 



