4 



Iberbaceous plants* 319 



four inches high, growing in large scattered masses in pas- 

 tures and moist grassy fields, and sometimes in small patches 

 in open woods or on sandy shores. Leaves minute, spathu- 

 late ; flowers bright blue, purple, or white on slender 

 peduncles. Very attractive for naturalizing in moist lawns, 

 in glades, and in open spaces among shrubs. Flowers in 

 spring and summer. 



THE VALERIAN FAMILY. 



Valerian, Valeriana officinalis. This plant, which is 

 not showy but very attractive, may be grown with good 

 results on grassy banks of streams and lakes. Leaves pin- 

 nate, pretty ; stems simple, erect, two to three feet high ; 

 flowers whitish-pink, in broad paniculate corymbs, sweet- 

 scented. Marsh valerian ( V. dioica), is a much smaller 

 species growing in shallow running water on the margins 

 of streams and brooks. Both are readily naturalized and 

 are excellent for wild gardening. 



Spurred Valerian, Centhranthus ruber. A rather pretty 

 annual border plant afoot or two high, with ovate-lanceolate 

 leaves and red or white flowers in panicled cymes. 



THE TEASEL FAMILY. 



Mourning Bride, Scabiosa atropurpurea. A garden an- 

 nual sometimes used for summer-bedding. Stem slender, 

 slightly branched, about two feet high ; root-leaves obovate 

 or spathulate, toothed, stem leaves pinnately-parted. Flowers 

 black-purple, crimson, or white in large button-like heads on 

 long and slender peduncles. Propagated from seeds in 

 spring and often grown in borders. 



Pincushion Flower, S. Columbaria. A graceful peren- 



