BLUE AND PURPLE WILD PLU Wiss 
gether it is more uniform and less variable, and pre- 
fers drier soil than the former. On the sides, toward 
the base, its peculiar leaves are strikingly notched into 
numerous irregular lobes that flare, heart-shaped at 
the stem. ‘The centre of the blade is usually extended 
into a broadened and bluntly pointed lobe. The 
bright blue flower is occasionally paler and rarely 
white. The side petals are bearded. This species 
does not extend quite so far north as the Common Blue 
Violet, and it prefers dry woodland soil. It blooms 
during April and May, from Georgia and Arkansas 
northward to Minnesota, Ontario and Maine. 
AMERICAN DOG VIOLET 
Viola conspérsa. Violet Family. 
It is whispered that this violet was formerly held in 
contempt by our English cousins because of its lack of 
fragrance. They referred to it as the Dog Violet, so 
that it might be distinguished from other species 
meriting more popular favour. However that may 
have been, we are disposed to extend much charity 
toward this interesting little waif, if for no other reason 
than the independence and freedom that it manifests 
whenever it brightens our roadsides and woodlands, 
from March to May. With us, the Dog Violet has 
become a popular nickname rather than one of mere 
caste. The leaves and flowers are small. The plant 
is low and creeping, and blossoms profusely. The 
slender flower stems spring from the angles of the leaf 
stems. The flowers have a prominent spur, and are 
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