PERFECT FLOWERS 35 



White Water-lily — Castalia odoraia 

 June-Sept. 



The shining petals of the white water-lily part 

 in the early morning, only to close again in the 

 afternoon. They offer no nectar, but a plentiful 

 supply of pollen, which is eagerly sought and easily 

 obtained by bees and beetles. 



Common St.-John's-wort — Hypericum perforatum 

 Marsh St.-John's-wort — Hypericum virginicum 



July-Sept. 



The full clusters of golden-yellow blossoms of 

 the one species, and the smaller clusters of a pinkish 

 flesh-colour of the other, have no nectar but pro- 

 duce plenty of pollen on their numerous stamens, 

 and serve it up freely to the pollen-eating flies and 

 beetles. 



Common Mallow — Malva rotundifolia 

 June-Oct. 



An exceedingly common weed, with whitish flow- 

 ers, its five petals veined with magenta. In Amer- 

 ica it has become naturalised from Europe, and 

 flourishes because it pleases and satisfies a host of 

 the native insects, such as the honey-bee, Bomhus 

 agrarum and Halictus morio. 



