288 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



noted its distinctions or grown it for a year at least. Heucheras 

 are similar in habit and shape of foliage, and are often con- 

 founded with it, though otherwise very distinct. Tellima grandi- 

 flora, when in its young state, is very like it, but the strong 

 crowns should be noted they are twice the strength of T. 

 cordifolia, and develope foliage more than double its size, whilst 

 the flowers are on stems 3ft. high, nearly green, and might easily 

 be taken for seed pods. 



The Mitellas, however, are much more puzzling, the distinc- 

 tions being finer and mostly of a botanical character. Still, in 

 May and June, when all are in flower, the identification of our 

 subject is not difficult, more especially if the other species of the 

 same order are near for comparison. 



T. cordifolia grows to the height of 9in. to 12in. ; the flowers 

 are composed of a calyx (five-parted) and five petals, which are 

 entire, evenly set in the calyx. The ten stamens are prominent ; 

 each flower has a stout pedicel, which holds out the pretty white 

 blossom in a nearly horizontal way. There is nothing of a bell- 

 shape character about the flower, as in its nearest relative the 

 Mitella. The flower stem is erect and round, being evenly 

 furnished with flowers, for a length of 4in. to 6in. ; the flowers are 

 very lasting. The leaves are heart-shaped, acutely lobed, denti- 

 culate, slightly wrinkled, hairy on both sides, and more or less 

 spotted or splashed with brown spots on the main ribs ; the leaf 

 stalks are long, and carry the foliage gracefully. The whole 

 plant has a neat habit, and, when in vigorous health, sends out 

 surface creepers. 



It enjoys moist quarters and slight shade, though it is grown 

 as seen in the drawing in an exposed part. The soil is good, but 

 otherwise there is nothing special about its culture. If this 

 little spring flower can be made more known, it will be sure to be 

 more widely cultivated; for covering the bare parts of lawn 

 shrubberies it would form a pleasing subject, and might be 

 mixed with the scarlet ourisia and the finer sorts of myosotis ; 

 these would make an excellent blend, all flowering together, and 

 lasting for a long time, besides being suitable otherwise for such 

 shady positions. When increase is desired strong plants may be 

 divided at any time, soon after flowering being the best ; if the 

 season be dry, the young stock should be shaded by a leafy 

 branch and kept well watered. 



Flowering period, May and June. 



Trientalis Europaea. 



EUROPEAN WINTERGREEN, 'or STAR-FLOWER; Nat. Ord. 



PRIMTJLACEJE. 



SOME may say, " Why, this is a common British plant ; " and so 

 it is in some parts, but for all that there are many who have 



