MOUNTAIN FL0WP:RS 



HEDGE NETTLE 



Stachys palHstris. Mint Family 



Stems: erect, strict, simple, retrorse-hispid on the ani^Mcs. Leaves: firm, 

 lanceolate, oblong, almost sessile, acute at the apex, subcordate at the 

 base, dentate. Flowers : in clusters, forming an elongated interrupted spike. 



The Hedge Nettle has from six to ten recKHsh-purple 

 flowers in each of the whorls that encircle its stem at inter- 

 vals, and also bears a terminal cluster at the top. Stachys 

 means *'a spike," and refers to its elon.i^ated flower-spikes, 

 while palustris signifies ''growing in swamps," and is there- 

 fore peculiarly approj^-iate to this i)lant, which frecjuents very 

 moist places. Probably it was called Hedge Nettle because 

 the leaves resemble those of the true Nettle, but without 

 the stinging properties of the latter. The Hedge Nettle is a 

 very hairy plant, its leaves and stems being all covered with 

 quantities of fine hairs. 



BLUE-EYED GRASS 



Sisyrinchiiiin angKsti folium. Iris Family 



Stems: two-edged, slender, erect, rigid. Leaves: commonly all basal, 

 linear, rigid, almost setaceous ; bracts two, very unequal, erect, the lower 

 one twice as long as the upper one. Flowers: six segments of the peri- 

 anth spreading, aristulate. 



" For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, 

 But it withereth the grass, 

 And the flower thereof falleth, 

 And the grace of the fashion of it perisheth." 



Was it of this tiny yet brilliant inirple-blue fiower that the 

 Apostle Saint James wrote the aliove verse } Did he esp\- it, 

 as he walked abroad, nestling amongst the sedges thai fringed 

 the streams.'* It is a \erv fragile little blossom, and as it 

 resents being i)icked to the extent of immediat^'K' sbii\el- 

 ling up and dying, traxellers had bettei- be content to adnuie 

 it where it flourishes in the moist low-King meadows, and 



