WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 



brooks, where it may be found from July to September. 

 It is erect and branched, with smooth stems, and 

 increases by underground suckers. It resembles 

 somewhat the Spearmint. The thin, broad oval, 

 sharply pointed dark green leaf is set on purple 

 stained stems, and is regularly toothed. The tiny 

 flowers are arranged in dense whorls, which are 

 closely gathered in a short, thick, round, terminal 

 spike. It ranges from Canada to Florida, Tennessee 

 and Minnesota. Spiraea is from the Greek, meaning, 

 twisting, and alludes to the twisted seedpods in some 

 of the species. 



AMERICAN WILD MINT 



Mentha arvensis. Mint Family. 



A native variable species with an odour like Penny- 

 royal, growing commonly along the brooks and in moist 

 soils, from six inches to two and a half feet in height, 

 with the whorled flowers seated in the leaf-axils. It is 

 more or less hairy. The long, narrow, prominently 

 ribbed leaf tapers toward both ends, and is slender- 

 stemmed and sharply toothed. The texture is coarse 

 and the surfaces are either roughish or nearly smooth. 

 The little flowers are light purple or nearly white. This 

 plant is frequently mistaken for Peppermint, for which 

 it is sometimes substituted. It may be found from 

 July to October, and ranges from the British possessions 

 to Virginia, Nebraska, New Mexico and Nevada. 

 It is also found in California. This is the only Mint 

 that is truly native to our country. Mentha is derived 



359 



