74 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 



foam. Such a sight is one of the most beautiful 

 and characteristic of those to be seen in the May 

 woods. The flowers are borne in masses on the 

 end of a stalk about eight inches high, while the 

 round or heart-shaped leaves, with many points, 

 are borne on stems of about the same length. The 

 species is found from Nova Scotia to Georgia, 

 west to the Mississippi Valley. 



MITREWORT. The tiny flowers of the Mitre- 

 wort, or Bishop's-cap, have well been likened to 

 minute white crystals. They are strung singly 

 on short stems, along the main flower-stalk, mak- 

 ing much less show than do the Foam-flowers. 

 The two plants are found in the same sort of situa- 

 tion, however, being especially common in wet 

 places in rich woods, from Canada to Kentucky. 

 When the petals drop off the tiny fruit pods form 

 miniature mitres or bishop's-caps, from which 

 the plant gets its names. The time of blossoming 

 of these flowers is indicated by Longfellow in this 

 verse i 



At Pentecost, which brings 

 The Spring, clothed like a bride, 

 When nestling buds unfold their wings, 

 And bishop's caps have golden rings, 

 Musing upon many things, 



I sought the woodlands wide. 



There are two species of Mitreworts : the Two- 

 leaved Mitrewort has two opposite leaves upon 

 the flower stalk; the Smaller Mitrewort lacks 

 these. 



