220 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



During the winter of 1900-1901 purplish-skinned tubers about 

 the size of walnuts were frequently found along the shore of the 

 lake, and upon allowing them to sprout they proved to be propa- 

 gating offshoots of this plant. The interior was rich yellow in 

 color, and of a pleasant sweetish taste devoid of the prickly taste 

 characteristic of so many of our aroids. It is not known how large 

 a crop of tubers a plant would yield or whether any use could be 

 made of them. The plants had sprouted up well by May 24. There 

 was a large robust patch along a ditch beside the road near 

 Ferrier's lumber yard. The leaves of these were peculiarly 

 blotched with white splashes, some more than others, but nearly 

 all thus marked to some extent. Other plants along the shore of 

 the lake near the Merchants' pier were splashed with purple 

 blotches on the upper sides of the leaves. Selection among the 

 most strongly marked plants of both of these series would prob- 

 ably result in handsome and variegated plants. Even the un- 

 marked plants are highly worth a place at the borders of orna- 

 mental ponds. The Chinese use a plant very similar to our broad- 

 leaved arrowhead as a house plant simply for foliage effects. 



49. GRASS-LEAVED SAGITTARIA 



SAGITTARIA GRAMINEA Michx. 



There was a patch of this plant along the east side of Lost Lake 

 below the Bardsley cottage, and some in the large lake near Norris 

 Inlet, and down along the outlet. 



The plant varies considerably in appearance and behavior ac- 

 cording to location. The patch in Lost Lake grew in 2 or 3 feet 

 of water, and the lower leaves formed attractive close rosettes, 

 closely resembling those of Eriocaulon. These plants blossomed 

 but rarely. They propagated by stolons, and the leaves stayed 

 green under the water all winter. In the winter of 1904, much 

 was pulled up in Lost Lake and washed ashore. It was probably 

 pulled up by muskrats. The plants bear spherical tubers which 

 that animal probably uses for food. 



The plants along shore of the lake near the old ice office and in 

 front of the Assembly grounds bloomed quite profusely in 1906 

 and in succeeding years. Both circles of the perianth segments 

 were conspicuous, crisped and crinkled, and of a delicate rosy hue, 

 so that each blossom looked like a double flower. They were ex- 

 ceedingly attractive, and well worthy of cultivation. 



