260 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



close to the ground at the bottom of the water. It was quite com- 

 mon at Bass Lake near the ice-houses, forming extensive patches of 

 scattered plants. On August 14, 1906, these plants were in blos- 

 som and the sober gray puff-like little heads of flowers floating on 

 the surface of the water formed an unique and pleasing sight. 

 They did not look like flowers or aggregations of flowers as usually 

 understood; the stems were hidden underneath the water, and 

 they seemed to have simply popped out of the water to cause a sen- 

 sation of surprise. 



Family 21. Commelinace^. Spiderwort Family 

 183. virginia day-flower 



COMMELINA YIRGINICA L. 



Not at all common. The first plants found in the lake region 

 were in sandy soil along the west side of the thoroughfare joining 

 the lakes. It had the appearance of having been recently intro- 

 duced. It was, however, probably native. 



184. REFLEXED SPIDERWORT 



TRADESCANTIA REFLEXA Raf. 



Fairly common, but scattered in sandy soil. Most abundant 

 along the railroad. The leaves were up well by May 11, 1901, and 

 it was in flower along the railroad track by June 3, 1901. 



Family 22. Pontederiace^. Pickerel-weed Family 



185. PICKEREL-WEED 



PONTEDERIA CORDATA L. 



Common along the edge of the lake, especially where the bottom 

 is somewhat muddy. It grows from shore out to where the water 

 is about ten inches deep. Noted in numerous places along shore, 

 such as at Long Point, south of Farrar's, from in front of the 

 ponds and marshes to beyond Norris's. There was none along the 

 east side, but it began again in front of Culver Academy grounds. 

 There was some north of Winfield's and some by the ice-houses. 



An interesting and attractive plant, the dark-green delicately 

 veined smooth leaves growing in tropical luxuriance, and the dark 

 blue flowers with spots of gold in the center, are very pleasing. In 

 some places along shore the cattle had browsed off the leaves and 

 stems. The plant succumbs early to frost, the leaves soon rotting 

 down after being frozen. 



