ROSE FAMILY 



Stamens. — Numerous, exserted, inserted on the calyx; fila 

 merits threadlike. 



Pistil. — < (varies 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 glow 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 tomeu- 

 tosa in that stem and leaves are glabrous and the flower 

 cluster a little more open. 



HARDHACK. STEEPLE-BUSH 



Spiraa iomentbsa. 



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 rapid!)' by underground shoots; 

 worthy of cultivation. 



