232 Minnesota Plant Life. 



pearance of the infected rootstocks has occasioned the popu- 

 lar name of the plant. There are three varieties, rather more 

 common in northern woods than in the southern part of the 

 state. 



In several of the orchids bulbs are produced, and in the little 

 putty-root, not very rare in hard-wood timber where the 

 ground is covered with decaying vegetable mould, the bulb is 

 well-formed and about the size of one's thumb. 



The only Minnesota orchids known to be poisonous to the 

 touch are the lady's slippers, and, especially in the autumn, it 

 is advisable to avoid handling these plants. The leaves and 

 stems are furnished with two kinds of hairs, some pointed and 

 apparently harmless, others with globular tips which secrete 

 small quantities of oil. Either the oil itself or substances in 

 solution may irritate the skin, and careless handling of a plant 

 is frequently the beginning of much discomfort. In the early 

 spring, when they have first come above the ground, their se- 

 cretions do not seem to be so virulent. The seeds of the 

 lady's slipper are very light and after the pods containing them 

 have opened they depend upon the wind for distribution. That 

 the plant should be more poisonous while the seeds are matur- 

 ing is possibly a device to discourage grazing animals from 

 attacking it at this time. 



