BED OR B EDDISH PURPLE 117 



less. The five nutlets become inseparably united. 

 Each shows a line along its back. The fruits 

 remain on the plant during the year. 



Leaves. — The thick evergreen leaves are in- 

 versely egg-shaped. The apex is obtuse and the 

 base narrows to a short, doAvny stem. The upper 

 leaf surface is shining and the lower one paler ; 

 both are smooth. The margin is entire or hairy. 

 The leaves are somewhat crowded towards the 

 ends of the branches. In winter, the upjDcr sur- 

 face becomes somewhat brown and the under 

 one reddish. 



Floioers. — The drooping, white or pink, 

 pitcher-shaped flowers grow in a short end 

 cluster. The stigma matures from two to 

 five hours before the anthers shed their pol- 

 len. The opening of the flower is bearded or 

 filled with a "woolly thicket" to keep out 

 winged insects. 



This evergreen shrub trails over rocks and 

 sandy wastes. It abounds in the Alps and in 

 other mountainous sections of Europe, as well 

 as in the northern countries of Europe and Asia. 

 It prevails throughout Canada and south to New 

 Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Ne- 

 braska, Colorado, and California. 



