WILD FLOWERS pink 



petals and form a pair of wide-spreading wings 

 on either side of the corolla. The three white 

 petals are formed into a long, slender tube enclos- 

 ing the stamens, and the lower one, which is 

 parted and extended, is beautifully fringed. It 

 also bears an underground flower that matures in 

 the bud. The leaves endure the winter, becoming 

 reddish and bronzy before they are replaced in the 

 spring. The Milkwort blossoms from May to July, 

 in rich, moist woods, from Georgia and Illinois 

 northward into Canada. 



FIELD, OR PURPLE MILKWORT 



Polygala sanguined. Milkwort Family. 



Such a tiny, delicate, crimson-headed sprite of a 

 flower may be easily overlooked in the grass. The 

 erect, wiry stems grow from six to fifteen inches in 

 height. It is very leafy, branches at the top, and is 

 somewhat angled. The small, narrow, acutely- 

 pointed leaves are thick and clasping. Their margin 

 is entire, and they are alternated on the stalk. The 

 Clover-like flower heads are composed of numerous 

 tiny flowers, closely clustered in a thick, oval spike. 

 Green flower heads are often found growing in com- 

 pany with the crimson ones, and the two together are 

 very curious and pretty. The tiny petals of the flower 

 are enveloped with two enlarged, crimson sepals which 

 are overlapped so tightly that the petals are hidden 

 from view. The lower rows of flowers mature in 

 succession and drop away as the head is prolonged. 



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