NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
Where there is a deep deposit of mud in the shallows of 
still waters we frequently find many different species of 
aquatics growing promiscuously, the tall lance-like leaf and 
blue, spiked heads of the stately Pontederia cordata keeping 
guard, as it were, over the graceful Nymphea, like a gallant 
knight with lance in rest ready to defend his queen; and 
around these the fair and delicate white flowers of the 
small Arrow-head* resting their frail petals upon the water, 
looking as if the slightest breeze that ruffled its surface 
would send them from their watery pillow. 
Beyond this aquatic garden lie beds of Wild Rice (Zizania 
aquatica), with floating leaves of emerald green and 
waving grassy flowers of straw-color and purple; while 
nearer to the shore the bright rosy tufts of the Water 
Persicaria (Polygonum amphibiwm), with dark-green leaves 
and crimson stalks, delight the eyes of the passer-by. 
SprkEenarD—Aralia racemosa (L.). 
This valuable plant is distinguished by its heart-shaped 
five-foliate pointed and serrated leaves, wide-branching 
herbaceous stem, long white aromatic astringent root, 
greenish-white flowers and racemose branching umbels of 
small round purple berries, about the size and color of the 
purple-berried elder. It affects a rich deep soil, the long 
tough roots sometimes extending to a yard or more in 
length, forking and branching repeatedly. The plants are 
often seen growing on large boulders where there is a suffi- 
ciency of soil, the roots penetrating into the crevices or 
extending horizontally over the surface. Another favorite 
place for this plant is in the earth adhering to large up- 
turned roots, the seed having been left by the birds. The 
root has an aromatic taste and smells like aniseed or 
See Plate X. 
QI 
