PRIMROSE FAMILY. 



PRIMULACE^. 



Star-flower. Trientalis Americana. 



Star Anemone. 

 Star-of- Bethlehem. 

 Chickweed Wintergreen. 



Found in moist shade during May. 



This very slender and smooth little stalk grows from 3 to 5 inches 

 in height, bears one or two sheath-like leaves near the root, and termi- 

 nates in a whorl of leaves at the top. It is green, slightly reddish at 

 the foot. 



The long leaf is sharp-pointed at both ends, with an entire margin, 

 a thin and delicate texture which shows plainly the pattern-like tracery 

 of the ribs and veins, and a shining surface ; the color is a full green. 

 6, or more, leaves, of unequal size, spread in a whorl upon the summit 

 of the stalk. 



The flower has 7 nearly diamond-shaped parts, of a thin texture, 

 and pure white color ; they spread flat, their edges just overlapping in a 

 7-pointed star, the 7 long, and narrow, greenish divisions of the calyx 

 alternating with them; the 10 thread-like stamens are white, with 

 orange tips. A single flower, borne on a slender stem, rises from the 

 whorl of leaves. 



The number of the corolla-divisions sometimes varies, but 7 is the 

 usual measure. It is noticeable that the flower-stem is set a trifle under- 

 neath the lap of the leaves, causing an inclination of the star to one 

 side. A tiny leaf is found sitting on the stalk just under the leafy 

 canopy. 



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