SUNDROPS 



which cling together. Finally, the supreme moment arrives, the 

 sepal tips are forced to give way, and the corolla, a pure clear 

 yellow, surrounded by an atmosphere of perfume, looks out into 

 the darkening twilight, fresh, fragrant, exquisite — to endure for a 

 night. The pollen in cobwebby masses was freed from the anthers 

 before the flower opened and is carried away by the honey-loving 

 moths. As the flower opens the anthers lean away from the style, 

 showing that self-fertilization is no part of nature's plan here. 



We call the Evening Primrose a weed. It is a weed; and in 

 late midsummer at midday, a coarse, dishevelled, unhappy-look- 

 ing object; but in its youth and its 

 strength it is not unhappy, it is 

 splendid. 



SUNDROPS 



(Enothera fruticbsa. Kneiffia fruticosa 



This is the common perennial Sundrop 

 of northern fields and well worthy a place 

 in the garden. Variety Youngii is the 

 horticultural form. 



Stem. — Erect, more or less branching, 

 one to three feet high, leafy. 



ieaiiej.— Reddish and hairy ovate to 

 narrow lanceolate, usually acute, mostly 

 sessile. 



Flowers. — Brilliant yellow, two inches 

 across, showy, borne in a lengthening 



cluster with linear bracts, opening in Garden Form of (Enothera 



bright sunshine. 



Calyx-tube. — Long and slender, enlarging at the top, four-lobed. 



Petals. — Four, bright yellow, opening in direct sunshine, obcordate, 

 convolute. 



Stamens. — Eight; anthers versatile; style slender; stigma capitate. 



Capsules. — Oblong, four-angled; seeds many. 



These yellow-flowered diurnal primroses called Sundrops ap- 

 pear in cultivation in many variable forms. The brilliant yellow 

 flowers, standing erect, and open in the sunlight, are worthy of 



3^5 



