steeple-bush. SpircBa tomentosa. 



Steeple-top. 



Hardback. 



Found in open pastures, hillsides and lanes, during July and 

 August. 



The stalk bears prim branches, and is very leafy ; woody-fibred, 

 and strong, the surface being woolly. Pinkish-brown in color. 



The leaf is oval, with a strong midrib, and a notched margin ; the 

 under surface is covered with wool of a whity-green color, the upper is 

 full green in tone. The leaves, on scarcely perceptible stems, spring 

 from the stalk with a strong and noticeable arch, which points them 

 upwards ; they are placed close together, and alternately. 



The 5 petals are very small, round or slightly oval in shape, rosy- 

 pink in color, as are the many stamens, which give a feathery look to 

 the blossoms. The small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers 

 are crowded in small spires, that are arranged closely in a fine-pointed 

 terminal spire, which is often 3 inches in length. 



The flowers open first at the tip of the spire, which thus frequently 

 turns to pale brown, before the light green buds at the base begin to 

 swell. The ripened seed-spires of the previous year, dried to a rich 

 gray-red, or deep brown, are retained during the flowering season, and 

 add much to the attractiveness of the plant. The upturned undersides 

 of the leaves are often tinted with pale rose color, as though reflected 

 from the blossoming spire ; all along the middle of the stalk they are 

 larger than at the foot, or near the flowers. Upland slopes, which offer 

 favoring conditions to the plant, take on a perceptible tone of pink 

 during the blossom-time because of its numerous presence, — it is unfor- 

 tunate that farmers rate this gregarious habit as pestiferous. 



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