282 VKLLOW TO ORANGE 



and crannies between the rocks, where the sparse dry soil 

 affords Httle or no sustenance to the roots ; hence its abiUty 

 to imbibe and retain moisture through its leaves renders it fit 

 to flourish on these sandy and stony slopes. 



YELLOW WILLOW-HERB 



Epilobium lufeiun. Evening Primrose Family 



Stems: slender, nearly simple. Leaves: ovate, acute, sinuate-toothed, 

 sessile. Flowers: from the axils of the upper somewhat crowded leaves ; 

 corolla funnel-form, rarely expanding, the lobes deeply notched; calyx 

 short and deeply cleft. 



The pale lemon-coloured flowers of the Yellow Willow-herb 

 grow in quantities near running water, or in the deep moist 

 valleys where the rushes whisper in their husky throats and 

 the moss weaves lace-like patterns to cover the ground. The 

 plant stands from six inches to two feet high, and has large, 

 conspicuousl}' veined leaves, with wavy margins, which are 

 very sharply toothed. The flowers are extremely pretty and 

 delicate in hue ; their four petals, folded in funnel-form, rarely 

 expand, and are held up in green calyx-cups, which in their 

 turn are cleft into four narrow slender divisions. 



EVENING PRIMROSE 



CEnothera biennis. Evening Primrose Family 



Stems: erect, stout, wand-like. Leaves: lanceolate, acute, narrowed 

 and sessile at the base, repand-denticulate. Flowers: spicate, terminal, 

 leafy-bracted : calyx-tube slender, the lobes linear, reflexed. 



The Evening Primrose, whose bright yellow blossoms open 

 in the twilight, somewhat resembles the Yellow Willow-herb, 

 whose paler flowers bloom at the bidding of the sunshine. 

 Seen in the daytime, the Evening Primrose api^ears faded and 

 uninteresting ; but viewed at night, its fragrant flowers are 

 exceedingly attractive. The plant grows to an average height 



