WILD FLOWERS blue and purple 



from a horizontal rootstock. The two-lipped, slightly 

 curved, tubular flower is unpleasantly scented, and 

 fades rapidly after it opens. The three-lobed, upper 

 lip is broad and erect, and the longest or middle lobe 

 has two yellow spots at its base. The lower lip has 

 three spreading divisions. The six stamens and pistil 

 are bright blue. They are densely crowded in a blunt 

 terminal spike, and blossom spirally. The flower 

 stem is sheathed, about midway, with a small, green 

 leaf. This species is often found associated with the 

 Arrowhead, and ranges from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, 

 and south to the Gulf States. 



PURPLE TRILLIUM. BIRTHROOT. ILL- 

 SCENTED WAKE-ROBIN 



Trillium erectum. Lily Family. 



The Trilliums are easily distinguished by the arrange- 

 ment of their three drooping, toothless leaves in a 

 whorl, at the top of a smooth, stout, and usually purple- 

 stained stalk. The blossom has three flaring, pointed 

 green sepals, with an equal number of petals which 

 alternate with them; also six stamens and a three 

 parted pistil. The root is deep-seated and tuberous. 

 This species is very common throughout the Eastern 

 States, and the rather large, dark purple or maroon 

 flowers have a disagreeable, musty, fetid odour. It 

 grows from eight to sixteen inches high, and the much 

 veined, loose-textured leaves are very broad, often 

 broader than long. The solitary flower is borne on a 

 short, curved, erect or drooping stem. The lance- 



3 2 * 



