OF NOVA SCOTIA. — PREST. 409 



below an nmbel-Hke cluster of from 2 to 9 greenish-yellow 

 flowers, with it ovary cells and styles in 3's, and its stamens 

 and perianth in 6's. Berries, dark purple, nearly J in. in 

 diameter. It grows from a tuber-like root stalk from 1 to 3 in. 

 long, which has a flavor suggesting cucumber. 



Not very abundant, and its food qualities not sufficiently 

 tested. 



FLOWERS. 



5o. Rosa blanda Aiton. Early Wild Rose. 



Stem branching, with scattered spines, 1 ft. to 4 ft. high, 

 flower stalk smooth. Leaflets, 5 to 7 on each leaf stalk, oblong, 

 pointed, pale green, a little downy beneath, notched on margin. 

 Flowers, 1 to 3 on each flower stalk, petals 5, stamens many, 

 light rose color, fragrant, edible. Seed-pod round, red smooth, 

 ^ in. to h in. thick, many seeded. Blooms in June. 



In rocky soil, barrens, and river and lake banks where not 

 too wet. Common in all parts of Nova Scotia. 



56. Rosa liicida Ehrhart. Dwarf Wild Rose. 



As the description and range of this species is much like 

 the preceding, it is difflcu{t to distinguish. The flowers of both 

 being edible, a mistake in identification is of no consequence. 



57. Epigcea repels L. Mayflower, Trailing Arbutus. 



Trailing matted vines from 6 in. to 24 in. long. Leaves, 

 wide oval, f in. to 1| in. long, bristly inside, evergreen. Flow- 

 ers at end of leaf stalks in clusters of 3 to 8, tube-like with 5 

 clefts, bristly inside, stamens 10 with slender filaments, anthers 

 oblong, sepals long, scale-like, pointed, nearly distinct, flowers 

 \Q in. to Yo in. long. Exhales a delicate perfume, white to pink, 

 edible. Blooms in April. Nova Scotia's earliest flower. 



In open woods, dry barrens, dry rocky or sandy soil. Abun- 

 dant everywhere in Nova Scotia under above conditions. 



