BIRTHWORT FAMILY 



ARISTOLOCHIACE^ 



The curious flowers of the plants of this family 

 have no petals but have many seeds that develop 

 in the six-celled ovary. The interesting climb- 

 ing plant called Pipe Vine or Dutchman's Pipe, 

 which grows wild in the southern states and is 

 very generally planted about porches in the north- 

 ern states, is the typical illustration of this group. 



Wild Ginger. In the north there is but one 

 common herbaceous wild flower belonging to 

 the family. This is the Wild Ginger, which is a 

 curious flower and one that is likely to be over- 

 looked by the careless stroller in the June woods. 

 The large, kidney-shaped leaves are conspicuous 

 enough, but they hide the bell-like blossom at 

 the base of their rather long stems. The flower- 

 stalk is very short, just holding the flower above 

 the surface of the ground. At first the blossom is 

 held upright, but later the stem turns around so 

 as to turn it downward, as shown in the picture. 



Notwithstanding its lack of beauty, this blossom 

 is of decided interest to the naturalist, for it is 

 adapted to pollination by flies which seek it out 

 and carry the pollen from one flower to another. 

 '' Within the cosy cup," writes Neltje Blanchan, 



157 



