BLUE AND PURPLE WILD FLOWERS 



gether it is more uniform and less variable, and pre- 

 fers drier soil than the former. On the sides, toward 

 the base, its peculiar leaves are strikingly notched into 

 numerous irregular lobes that flare, heart-shaped at 

 the stem. The centre of the blade is usually extended 

 into a broadened and bluntly pointed lobe. The 

 bright blue flower is occasionally paler and rarely 

 white. The side petals are bearded. This species 

 does not extend quite so far north as the Common Blue 

 Violet, and it prefers dry woodland soil. It blooms 

 during April and May, from Georgia and Arkansas 

 northward to Minnesota, Ontario and Maine, 



AMERICAN DOG VIOLET 



Viola conspersa. Violet Family. 



It is whispered that this violet was formerly held in 

 contempt by our English cousins because of its lack of 

 fragrance. They referred to it as the Dog Violet, so 

 that it might be distinguished from other species 

 meriting more popular favour. However that may 

 have been, we are disposed to extend much charity 

 toward this interesting little waif, if for no other reason 

 than the independence and freedom that it manifests 

 whenever it brightens our roadsides and woodlands, 

 from March to May. With us, the Dog Violet has 

 become a popular nickname rather than one of mere 

 caste. The leaves and flowers are small. The plant 

 is low and creeping, and blossoms profusely. The 

 slender flower stems spring from the angles of the leaf 

 stems. The flowers have a prominent spur, and are 



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