28 The Plants of our Woods and Fields. 



large-blossomed Uvularia, which we find growing wild in the woods of 

 Vermont, and yet known in many gardens as a prized border-flower. The 

 Adams needle, or Yucca Jiiame?itosa, so universally introduced into gardens, 

 and so conspicuous for its stately column of pure white hanging blossoms, 

 is nothing but the wild bear-grass of Kentucky, and used for strings and 

 ties in its tough green leaves. It is, however, the Northern representative 

 of the Spanish bayonet of the South, and humbly imitates the superber 

 species seen with us only in conservatories. 



The seeker for early flowers in May is gratified to find in his rambles 

 the yellow adder's-tongue {E/ythronmm Americanum), whose two leaves, 

 scarcely rising from the ground, are so curiously spotted and mottled with 

 purplish blotches, and which clasp at base the flower-stalk, surmounted by 

 its nodding gold-colored flower. We have known this successfully cultivated; 

 but let it be planted under some thickly-set trees, or in the shade of bushes, 

 where its erratic habits will do no mischief. In blossom or without, it is a 

 pretty plant, and perfectly hardy : we only wish we could say as much for its 

 finer co-species, the E. albidutn, whose whitish or bluish-white flowers are 

 so pretty ; but we can record no instance of any attempt to make it better 

 known than in its wild condition in the rich soils of the West. 



Admiration for lilies — as increased of late years by the Japan kinds, 

 and recently by the golden-banded lily {Liliiim aiiratum) — attracts the 

 notice of amateurs to our native kinds. Conspicuous in the meadows of 

 Taunton and Providence, in July, may be noticed the elegant and stately 

 superb lily, or native Turk's-cap, bearing on its summit from two to forty 

 rich bright-orange flowers, spotted and dashed with dark blotches on the 

 inside of the sepals. It transplants readily, even if taken up when in 

 flower; and, treated with a little peat and sand when planted in the 

 border, will repay all cost and care. Quite similar to it, but not so fine 

 and showy, is the wild yellow lily (Z. Canadcnse), more common, and 

 equally readily cultivated. Its color is usually yellow ; but now and then a 

 red or salmon tinted one can be met with. The blossoms are not so large 

 in this species as are those of the superb lily : often they are as numerous, 

 and culture will do much to enhance their value. In June and July, the 

 whortleberry-pastures of Eastern Massachusetts are enlivened by the ele- 

 gant wild orange-red lily, its graceful stem seldom bearing more than three 



