356 breck's new book of flowers. 



the most of these species in the ground, there will always 

 be plenty from self-sown seeds in the spring. 



SOLIDAGO.— Golden Rod. 



[From solido, to unite, on account of the alleged vulnerary qualities of the 

 plants.] 



The species are all autumnal coarse-looking herbaceous 

 plants with yellow flowers ; in the shrubbery tliey make a 

 pretty appearance with other coarse plants. About all 

 of the species are indigenous. 



SolidagO Odora.— Sweet-Scented Golden Rod.— This 

 species may be admitted into the garden not only for the 

 fragrance of the plants, but its inflorescence is also inter- 

 esting. The flowers grow in a compound, panicled ra- 

 ceme, with each of its branches supported by a small leaf, 

 and of a brilliant yellow. The whole plant has a smooth 

 appearance; the leaves have a very pleasant anisate odor, 

 and yield by distillation a fragrant, volatile oil. 



S. nemoralis.— Grey Golden Rod.— This is a very pretty 

 dwarf species, not more than one foot high, common in 

 dry fields, where it appears as if stunted by drought. 

 Panicle small, leaning ; bright yellow ; August and 

 September. 



SPECULARIA.— Venus' Looking-Glass. 



[From Speculum Veneris, a name by wliich one of the species was formerly 

 called.] 



Spccularia speculum. — Venus' Looking-Glass, also 

 called Campanula speculum. — This is an annual border- 

 flower of some beauty ; very hardy ; having it once in the 

 ground it will sow itself; the young plants may be tals^en 

 up in the spring and planted where they are to remain, 



