BLUE AND PURPLE WILD FLOWERS 



with each pair of leaves. The oblong, or lance-shaped 

 leaves taper to a point, and become narrow toward the 

 base, each with two small flaring lobes where they partly 

 clasp the stalk, upon which they alternate. The 

 margins are finely toothed, and the feather-veined 

 ribbings crease the smooth, green surface. The flowers 

 spring from the axils of the leaves, on partly curved, 

 slender stems, and are set in a deep, five-parted, five- 

 toothed tubular calyx, the uppermost tooth of which is 

 longer than the others. The irregular corolla is two- 

 lipped. The upper lip has two erect lobes which curl 

 backward together, causing a two-eared effect, while 

 the lower lip has three widely flaring lobes, with its 

 centre bulged, forming two small, yellow-patched 

 swellings that close the throat of the tube, which sets 

 into the calyx. Four white, thread-like stamens are 

 seated on the inside of the tube, and their yellow tips 

 meet over the top of the two-lobed pistil. They are 

 arranged in two pairs, one set being shorter than the 

 other. Neither the pistil nor the stamens protrude from 

 the corolla, but may be seen flattened against the hooded 

 crease of the upper lip, if the lower lip is pulled partly 

 open. The texture of the flowers is fine and delicate. 

 This perennial herb ranges from Nova Scotia to Vir- 

 ginia, Tennessee, Manitoba, Nebraska and Texas. 



AMERICAN BROOKLIME 



Veronica americana. Figwort Family. 



Exceedingly fragile, this nobbiest one of our 

 Speedwells drops its tiny, white-centred, light blue 



3 6 4 



