Xil^ jfamili?. 



Wild Oat. Oakesia sessilifolia. 



Found in May, in moist shade ; in frequent neighborhood with the 

 Bellwort. 



The stalk, from 6 to 8 inches high, is very like its cousin Bellwort, 

 but is more slender and bears a leaf beneath the fork of its branches ; 

 it is also greener in hue. 



The oval, or long-pointed, entire, leaf is smooth above, and ridgy 

 beneath. Of a beautiful light green color. The leaves are arranged in 

 pairs at the flower, and alternately; they are half -clasping, and hang 

 lightly. 



The flower is smaller than the Bellwort blossom, and the 3-parted 

 pale yellow pistil protrudes conspicuously. The color is pale straw- 

 yellow. The bell hangs on a slender stem that springs from beneath a 

 leaf, on the underside of the branch. 



Seldom more than one of these shy bells is found hiding under a 

 branch. Possibly the tips curve outward more than those of the Bell- 

 wort's flower. 



578 



