From Blue to Purple 



masses of forget-me-nots by the hasty observer, of course shows 

 marked differences on closer investigation ; its tiny blue flowers 

 are marked with purple pathfinders, and the plant is not hairy, to 

 mention only two. But the poets of England are responsible for 

 most of whatever confusion stills lurks in the popular mind con- 

 cerning these two flowers. Speedwell, a common mediaeval 

 benediction from a friend, equivalent to our farewell or adieu, and 

 forget-me-not of similar intent, have been used interchangeably 

 by some writers in connection with parting gifts of small blue 

 flowers. It was the germander speedwell that in literature and 

 botanies alike was most commonly known as the forget-me-not 

 for over two hundred years, or until only fifty years ago. When 

 the "Mayflower" and her sister ships were launched, "Speed- 

 well " was considered a happier name for a vessel than it proved 

 to be. 



The Water Speedwell, or Pimpernel (V. Anagallis-aquatica), 

 differs from the preceding chiefly in having most of its leaves 

 seated on the stalk, only the lower ones possessing stems, and 

 those short ones. In autumn the increased growth of sterile 

 shoots from runners produce almost circular leaves, often two 

 inches broad, a certain aid to identification. 



Another close relation, the Marsh or Skullcap Speedwell (K 

 scutellata), on the other hand, has long, very slender, acute 

 leaves, their teeth far apart; and as these three species are the 

 only members of their clan likely to be found in watery places 

 within our limits, a close examination of the leaves of any water- 

 loving plant bearing small four-lobed blue flowers, usually 

 marked with lines of a deeper blue or purple, should enable one 

 to correctly name the species. None of these blossoms can be 

 carried far after being picked ; they have a tantalizing habit of 

 dropping off, leaving a bouquet of tiny green calices chiefly. 



Many kinds of bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies fertilize all 

 these little flowers, which are first staminate, then pistillate, simply 

 by crawling over them in search of nectar. 



Common Speedwell; Fluellin; Paul's Betony ; 

 Ground-hele 



(Veronica officinalis) Figwort family 



Flowers Pale blue, very small, crowded on spike-like racemes 

 from axils of leaves, often from alternate axils. Calyx 4-parted ; 

 corolla of 4 lobes, lower lobe commonly narrowest ; 2 di- 

 vergent stamens inserted at base and on either side of upper 



58 



