40 



DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



Pods flattened, spreading, many-seeded. Whole plant glabrous. 

 Leaves undivided, but toothed and large. Perennial herb. 



1 . C. leptosepala, DC. Differs from the above in the leaf, which is oblong- 

 ovate, lower ones serrate, llowers usually solitary, rarely two. White or 

 bluish. 



Geography. — From New Mexico to Alaska. (Coulter.) 



2. C. palustris, L. Stem hollow, from 8 to 12 inches high, cylindrical, 

 grooved, and sometimes prostrate, forkedly branched. Root large and branched. 



Leaves dark-green, veiny, and smooth ; lower 

 ones 2 to 4 inches wide, on long stems ; upper 

 ones sessile, round-reniform. Flowers bright 

 yellow, axillary, 3-5. 



Geography. — Found in wet meadows and 

 swamps, from Canada to Carolina, and west to 

 Oregou. 



Number of species about a dozen, of which 

 six are found in North America. 



Etymology and History. — Caltha, the gen- 

 eric name, is from the Greek word Koi\a9os, a 

 goblet, due to the form of the calyx, which re- 

 sembles a golden cup. Palustris is from the 

 Latin word paluster, marshy, on account of 

 the fondness of the plant for such localities. 

 Leptosepala is from the Greek Acttt^s, weak, 

 and the Latin sepia, to inclose or surround, 

 alluding to the size and thinness of the 

 sepals. 

 Use. — The leaves of both these species are used for greens, and when very 

 young for salad. 



Caltha palustris (Cowslip). 



CLEMATIS, L. (\"irgin's Bower.) Calyx 4, sometimes 5-8-sepaled 

 usually colored, and pubescent. Petals vranting, or rudimentary. 

 Filaments many. Anthers linear. Akenes numerous, in heads tipped 

 with the long, persistent, feathery styles. Clinging to and climbing 

 over shrubbery, by means of the leaf-stalks. Perennial. Leaves mostly 

 opposite and compound. 



1 . C. crispa, L. (cylindrica, Sims.) Stem climbing, smooth. Leaves varying 

 in form ; leaflets 5 or 9, broad, ovate, or lanceolate, slightly cordate at base, 

 entire, occasionally 3-5-lobed, prominently veined, thin. Flowers terminal, 

 large, nodding, campanulate, bluish-purple. Calyx cylindrical, bell-shaped. 

 Sepals dilated above and spreading, edges thin and wavy. Tails of the fruit 

 silky, pubescent. 



Geography. — Near Norfolk, Virginia, and south to Georgia. 



2. C. ochroleuca, Ait. Stem 8 to 10 feet long, usually smaller, and silky. 

 Leaves simple, ovate, silky, hairy underneath, sessile, entire, occasionally 3- 

 lobed, 2 to 4 inches long; veins prominent, upper surface smooth. Flowers 

 terminal, nodding, bell-shaped. Sepals silky outside, creamy white within. 

 Plumes of the fruit long and straw-colored. May. 



Geography. — Copses and river banks. New York to Georgia. Rare. 



