Magenta to Pink 



in bright patches among the dry grass of early autumn, with small 

 butterflies, that are its devoted admirers, hovering above. 



Pink or Pale Corydalis 



(Capnoides sempervirens) Poppy family 

 (Corydalis glauca of Gray) 



Flowers Pink, with yellow tip, about ^ in. long, a few borne in a 

 loose, terminal raceme. Calyx of 2 small sepals; corolla ir- 

 regular, of 4 erect, closed, and flattened petals joined, i of outer 

 pair with short rounded spur at base, the interior ones narrow 

 and keeled on back. Stamens 6, in 2 sets, opposite outer 

 petals; I pistil. Stem: Smooth, curved, branched, I to 2 feet 

 high. Leaves : Pale grayish green, delicate, divided into 

 variously and finely cut leaflets. Fruit: Very narrow, erect 

 pod, i to 2 in. long. 



Preferred Habitat Rocky, rich, cool woods. 



Flowering Season April -September. 



Distribution Nova Scotia westward to Alaska, south to Minnesota 

 and North Carolina. 



Dainty little pink sacs, yellow at the mouth, hang upside 

 down along a graceful stem, and instantly suggest the Dutch- 

 man's breeches, squirrel corn, bleeding heart, and climbing fumi- 

 tory, to which the plant is next of kin. Because the lark (Kory- 

 dalos) has a spur, the flower, which boasts a small one also, bor- 

 rows its Greek name. 



Hildebrand proved by patient experiments that some flowers 

 of this genus have not only lost the power of self-fertilization, but 

 that they produce fertile seed only when pollen from another 

 plant is carried to them. Yet how difficult they make dining for 

 their benefactors! The humblebee, which can reach the nectar, 

 but not lap it conveniently, often ' ' gets square " with the secretive 

 blossom by nipping holes through its spur, to which the hive bees 

 and others hasten for refreshment. We frequently find these punc- 

 tured flowers. But hive and other bees visiting the blossom for 

 polien, some rubs off against their breast when they depress the 

 two middle petals, a sort of sheath that contains pistil and stamens. 



Hardback; Steeple Bush 



(Spiraea tomentosa) Rose family 



Flowers Pink or magenta, rarely white, very small, in dense, 

 pyramidal clusters. Calyx of 5 sepals; corolla of 5 rounded 



95 



