ROSE FAMILY 



Stamens. — Numerous,, exserted. inserted on the calyx: fila- 

 ments threadlike. 



Pistil. — Ovaries five, superior, united at the base ; style 

 threadlike, stigma capitate. 



Fruit. — Dry, consisting of five one-celled, smooth carpels, 

 united at base, encircled by the persistent calyx-cup. Sep- 

 tember. 



The common Meadow Sweet of the eastern states 

 is a variable and widely distributed plant, of which 

 several varieties are in cultivation : all, however, keep 

 fairly true to the type. It suckers freely, so that each 

 little bush, if given time and freedom, will make a 

 thicket of upright stems, each of which, in the flower- 

 ing season will bear its panicle of white or pinkish 

 flowers. Often this rosy <riow comes rather from the 

 calyx disk and the rosy anthers than from the petals. 

 The abundant stamens are characteristic and give the 

 cluster a peculiar " fuzzy " look. 



It has gathered to itself several common names, 

 among them. Queen of the Meadow, Quaker Lady, 

 Willow-leaved Spiraea. It differs from Spircea tomcu- 

 tosa in that stem and leaves are glabrous and the flower 

 cluster a little more open. 



HARDHACK. STEEPLE-BUSH 



SpirtTa tomentbsa. 



Erect, leafy, two to three feet high ; stems usually simple, 

 twigs densely covered with brown tomentum: found in swamps 

 and low grounds. Ranges from Nova Scotia to Georgia and 

 Manitoba to Kansas. Spreads rapidly by underground shoots; 



worthy of cultivation. 



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