fllMnt ifamllij. 



Motherwort. Leonti/rus Oardiaca. 



Found in blossom througli July and August, on waste grounds 

 around dwellings. 



The large, stout, square stalk grows from 3 to 4 feet higli ; it 

 branches, is very leafy, and of a dull purplish color. 



The upper leaves, long and taper-pointed, are sharply notched, 

 with 3 strong ribs ; the lower leaves are more deeply cut, and broadei' 

 than the upper ones, and are set on longer foot-stems. The texture is 

 coarse, the surface soft-hairy, and the color dark green. The leaves 

 grow near together, and point out in all directions, around the stalk. 



The small 2-lipped flower has the upper lip slightly arched, and the 

 lower one 3-lobed ; there are 4 stamens under the hood of the upper 

 lip ; the outside of the corolla is covered with silky hairs ; the color is 

 a dull pink. The 5-pointed, green calyx becomes rigid, and bristling 

 with age, and is persistent on the stalk after the flowers have disap- 

 peared. They grow in close whorls around the stalk at short intervals. 



Motherwort is effective from the distance, with its many alert 

 leaves, and close flower-whorls threaded on its long stalk ; it is a 

 favorite with the bees, and is cherished for their sakes by the bee- 

 keeper. It has been naturalized in this country from Europe — perhaps 

 purely for the profit of the bee ? 



5°4 



