BAKER] DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD ROOT 67 



rhizome xevy small, fibrous roots are given off and from these 

 secondary- and tertiary rootlets are formed. The rhizome con- 

 stantly grows forward at one end, and decays away at the opposite 

 end. It lies below the surface of the soil about 2>^ or 3 inches in a 

 horizontal position. 



From the growing end of the rhizome, we frequently notice a 

 budding out and from each individual bud arise flowers and leaves. 

 It is customan."' for rhizomes to have but one growing tip and hence 

 to produce but one flower and leaf. But on the other hand. I have 

 foimd rhizomes which were much branched or budded. I found 

 this difference of structiu-e in the rhizome varying in different 

 localities. Along Darby, Crvim, Cobbs and Neshaminy creeks, I 

 found almost all of the rhizomes unbranched, and of the three or 

 four that showed branching, none possessed more than two growing 

 tips. On the other hand, along the banks of the Pennypack, I 

 found ver}' few rhizomes, \vith only one growing point. Here they 

 grew in clumps and the rhizomes showed 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and, in one 

 instance, 1 1 growing points from each of which came a flower and 

 leaf. I interpreted this difference in habit to difference in the 

 length of time in which the plants had been established in this 

 given locality. I take it that the regions where the plants grow in 

 clumps they have been established longer, than where they grow 

 singly. Moreover lack of disturbing influences might aid in gixang 

 rise to the clumped formation. 



From the growing tip arise the leaf stalk and leaf and the flower 

 stalk and flower and the ensheathing bracts. The bracts vary 

 from four to six in number, and are arranged in pairs oppositely 

 dlaced. The two outer bracts are usually ver\' small and almost 

 indistinguishable, — if they are present at all. The next inner pair 

 is somewhat larger and rarely absent. It is the innermost pair 

 which is most important. Of these the longer is one and a half to 

 one and three-quarters the length of the smaller. The longer 

 bracts vary from 3 to 10 cm. in length, while the shorter ones vary 

 from I to 4>^ cm. The larger sheath encloses the flower stalk and 

 aids in the protection of the flower-bud. The smaller bract covers 

 over and protects the rudimentar^- next year's leaf. The bracts 

 are thin, papen.- of a pale yellowish green color and faintly 

 lined. 



The flower stalk is usually ver\- slender, and varies in length 

 from 12-19 cm. It is of a reddish color due to the pigment 



