192 BLUE TO PURPLE 



This plant is also called Monkshood, the reason wherefor 

 may readily be seen. 



D. Colu7nbianum, or Blue Larkspur, is a smaller species 

 growing only from six to eighteen inches high and having few 

 leaves and fewer flowers on its hairy stems. Though usually 



•' Blue as the heaven it gazes at," 



this Larkspur has sometimes white blossoms marked with 

 purple veins. 



EARLY BLUE VIOLET 



Viola cognata. \^iolet Family 



Acaulescent. Rootstocks short and thick. Leaves: long-petioled, cor- 

 date, with a broad sinus, the early ones reniform, the later ones acute or 

 acuminate, crenately toothed. Flowers: large; petals villous at base; 

 spur saccate. 



This large Early Violet is really of a true violet colour, 

 though it is commonly called "Blue"; it grows most luxuri- 

 antly in very moist ground, usually on the low banks of streams 

 or in the marshes, for it is there that 



" The purple violets lurk, 

 With all the lovely children of the shade." 



Poets have ever loved and praised the Violet. The Bard of 



Avon sang of how 



" Violets blue, 

 And lady-smocks all silver white, 

 And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue 

 Do paint the meadows with delight"; 



later causing Oberon to relate : 



" I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, 

 Where ox-lips and the nodding violet grows." 



Milton told of the 



" Violet embroidered vale " ; 



