NATIVE WILD FLOWEKS 



Where there is a deep deposit of mud in the shallows of 

 still waters we frequently find many different species of 

 aquatics growing promiscuously, the tall lance-like leaf and 

 blue, spiked heads of the stately Pontedcria cordata keeping 

 guard, as it were, over the graceful Nympha3a, like a gallant 

 knight with lance in rest ready to defend his queen; and 

 around these the fair and delicate white flowers of the 

 small Arrow-head* resting their frail petals upon the water, 

 looking as if the slightest breeze that ruffled its surface 

 would send them from their watery pillow. 



Beyond this aquatic garden lie beds of Wild Rice (Zizania 

 aquatica), with floating leaves of emerald green and 

 waving grassy flowers of straw-color and purple; while 

 nearer to the shore the bright rosy tufts of the Water 

 Persicaria (Polygonum amphibium), with dark-green leaves 

 and crimson stalks, delight the eyes of the passer-by. 



SPIKENARD Aralia racemosa (L.). 



This valuable plant is distinguished by its heart-shaped 

 five-foliate pointed and serrated leaves, wide-branching 

 herbaceous stem, long white aromatic astringent root, 

 greenish-white flowers and racemose branching umbels of 

 small round purple berries, about the size and color of the 

 purple-berried elder. It affects a rich deep soil, the long 

 tough roots sometimes extending to a yard or more in 

 length, forking and branching repeatedly. The plants are 

 often seen growing on large boulders where there is a suffi- 

 ciency of soil, the roots penetrating into the crevices or 

 extending horizontally over the surface. Another favorite 

 place for this plant is in the earth adhering to large up- 

 turned roots, the seed having been left by the birds. The 

 root has an aromatic taste and smells like aniseed or 



See Plate X. 



91 



