PINK WILD FLOWERS 



violet-tipped stamens, five of which are shorter than 

 the rest, surround a slender, five-pointed, green pistil. 

 This remarkable pistil grows an inch or more in 

 length, and as the fruit matures, it suddenly splits 

 upward from the base in five recurved parts, snapping 

 the seeds sharply in various directions. This is one 

 way in which the plants spread and increase by their 

 own effort. The shape of this curious pistil created 

 the name of Crane's-bill. Geranium is the Greek word 

 for crane, and maculalum alludes to the peculiar white 

 spots and blotches so often found on the leaves. The 

 calyx is five-parted, and hairy. Each part or sepal 

 terminates with a sharp, bristling point. The single 

 stalk branches at the union of a pair of short-stemmed 

 leaves, and each of the several branches is often 

 forked, causing the flowers to occur very commonly 

 in pairs. The grooved stalk is stout-fibred, and rises 

 a foot or two in height. Excepting the petals, the 

 entire plant is covered with minute, whitish hairs. 

 The large, spreading, coarsely veined leaf is deeply 

 divided into three or more, usually five, sections, 

 each of which is again cleft into three more or less 

 sharply notched lobes. The basal leaves are long- 

 stemmed. The general colour is a medium light green 

 above, and of a lighter shade on the under side. In 

 autumn they turn to a brilliant scarlet, and are par- 

 ticularly attractive. The Crane's-bill is very touchy, 

 and wilts hopelessly almost as soon as picked. The 

 flowers are very fragile, and the petals usually drop 

 away upon the slightest provocation. The thick, 



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