Rod and Indefinite* 



After the anthers pass the still immature stigmas, the pollen of the 

 outer row ripens, ready for removal, while the inner row of un- 

 developed stamens still acts as a sheath for the stigmas. Owing 

 to the pendent position of the flower, no pollen could fall on the 

 latter in any case. The columbine is too highly organized to tolerate 

 self-fertilization. When all the stamens have discharged their 

 pollen, the styles then elongate ; and the feathery stigmas, opening 

 and curving sidewise, bring themselves at the entrance of each of 

 the five cornucopias, just the position the anthers previously 

 occupied. Probably even the small bees, collecting pollen only, 

 help carry some from flower to flower ; but perhaps the largest 

 bumblebees, and certainly the humming bird, must be regarded 

 as the columbine's legitimate benefactors. Caterpillars of one of 

 the dusky wings {Papilio lucilius) feed on the leaves. 



Very rarely is the columbine white, and then its name, derived 

 from words meaning two doves, does not seem wholly mis- 

 applied. 



" O Columbine, open your folded wrapper 

 Where two twin turtle-doves dwell," 



lisp thousands of children speaking the "Songs of Seven" as 

 a first " piece" at school. How Emerson loved the columbine 1 

 Dr. Prior says the flower was given its name because "of the 

 resemblance of the nectaries to the heads of pigeons in a ring 

 around a dish — a favorite device of ancient artists." 



This exquisite plant was forwarded from the Virginia colony 

 to England for the gardens of Hampton Court by a young kins- 

 man of Tradescant, gardener and herbalist to Charles 1. 



Pitcher-plant; Side-saddle Flower; Hunts- 

 man's Cup; Indian Dipper 



{Sarracenea purpurea) Pitcher-plant family 



Flowerr-Det^ reddish purple, sometimes partly greenish, pink, or 

 red, 2 in. or more across, globose ; solitary, nodding from 

 scape I to 2 ft. tall. Calyx of 5 sepals, with 3 or 4 bracts at 

 base ; 5 overlapping petals, enclosing a yellowish, umbrella- 

 shaped dilation of the style, with 5 rays terminating in 5- 

 hooked stigmas ; stamens indefinite. Leaves : Hollow, pitcher- 

 shaped through the folding together of their margins, leaving 

 a broad wing ; much inflated, hooded, yellowish green with 

 dark maroon or purple lines and veinings, 4 to 12 in. long, 

 curved, in a tuft from the root. 



Preferred Habitat — Peat-bogs ; spongy, mossy swamps. 



Flowering Season — May — June. 



