NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 



with bright orange-colored coils and greenish white flowers; 

 the other with green rusty wiry stems and smaller blossoms. 

 This last occurs on the rocky shores of Stoney Lake, where 

 in the month of August it may be found twining around 

 the slender stems of the Lesser Goldenrod, a small narrow- 

 leaved Solidago. 



In no instance did I find this curious parasite associated 

 with any other plant; as if by some mysterious instinct the 

 Goldenrod seemed to be selected for its support. Nor cor, Id 

 the union with the flower be discovered by the most careful 

 examination. The Dodder seems to be leafless and rootless. 

 The Goldenrod to which it had attached itself did not 

 appear to have suffered from the clinging embrace of its 

 singular companion, though its coils were so tightly wound 

 around it that it was not an easy matter to separate them 

 from the supporting stem. The Dodder could not even be 

 said to have the claims of a poor relation to excuse its 

 unwelcome intrusion. The white blossoms of this parasite 

 were closely clustered at intervals on the wiry stem. 



The golden-stemmed species, with somewhat larger 

 greenish-tinged white flowers, I found in the same locality 

 attached to the culms of stout wild grasses, which chiefly it 

 seemed to have selected for its support. The bright orange 

 coils and clusters of flowers formed a pretty contrast with 

 the dark foliage of the climbing Indian Bean (Apios 

 tuberosa), many young plants of which handsome fragrant 

 climber grew there in profusion, covering the low bushes. 



In the States it is known as Goldthread, from the bright 

 orange thready twining stems which it throws like a golden 

 net over the neighboring herbage. It seems, indeed, more 

 ornamental than useful; but as it does not intrude itself 

 into our gardens we will not quarrel with it. There is 



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