THRIFT 



Gypsophila and Galium serve a similar purpose, perhaps more 

 effectively because they are white. Several species of Statice are 

 offered by the trade — all good. Statice incana, from the swamps 

 of southern Europe, is the species that, dried, is found among 

 florist supplies. 



We also have a charming native Statice, common everywhere 

 along our Atlantic coast from Labrador to Florida, known as 

 Marsh Rosemary, Statice carolinianum. In later botanies it 

 becomes Limonium carolinihnum. The little creature stands 

 with its feet wet at high tide; a number of obovate leaves cluster 

 at the base of the flowering stem, which rises twelve or eighteen 

 inches. At the summit the stem divides and subdivides and 

 divides again to bear a shimmer of gray-green and pale-violet so 

 dim and misty that one can almost think it the outward expres- 

 sion of the spray of the salt sea. 



THRIFT. SEA PINK 



Armaria vulgaris. 



One of a group of low, free-blooming perennials valuable as border 

 plants. Native of sea-diffs and mountains. Europe. Summer to 

 early autumn. 



Stems. — ^Tufted, six inches high. 



Leaves. — Radical, thick, narrow, in dense clusters forming masses of 

 grass-like foliage. 



Flowers. — Many, borne in round heads surrounded by an involucre 

 of bracts, on clean, long, wiry stems. 



Calyx. — Funnel-shaped, dry and translucent. 



Corolla. — Pink, of five petals, joined together by their bases. 



Stamens. — Five, borne on'the base of the petals. 



Ovary. — Ovoid; stigmas, five. 



Fruit. — ^A small utricle. 



The Thrifts are sea-cliff and mountain plants, naturally choos- 

 ing rocky homes, and consequently look well in the rock garden. 

 Their low habit and tufted foliage make them good edging plants, 

 but for some reason they are not greatly used in this coimtry. 



33 S 



