36 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



The pitcher-plant is carnivorous, the drowned insects being 

 digested and appropriated as food. 



In Virginia and southward a larger pitcher-plant is found, with 

 leaves sometimes 3 feet long. It is Trumpets (Sarracenia flava), 

 with a large, drooping, yellow flower. The Darlingtonia of 

 California is the only other member of this order in the United 

 States. 



8. Marsh-cress 



Nasturtium palustre. — Family, Mustard. Color, yellowish. 

 Leaves, alternate, pinnately cleft or parted, the upper being 

 slashed or cut into very fine pieces, the lower divided or cleft. 

 Time, summer. 



Sepals, 4. jPetals, 4, very minute. Plant, i to 4 feet high. 



As in all this family, the leaves are pungent to the taste. The 

 name nasturtium means "twisted nose,'' alluding to the effect on 

 the nose of the pungent leaves when eaten. 



g. Table W^ater- cress 



N. officinale. — Family, Mustard. Color, white. Leaves, 

 alternate, pinnately divided, with a large round lobe termi- 

 nating the mid-rib. Time, May, June. 



Sepals, 4. Petals, 4, twice the length of the sepals. Pods, 

 short, on spreading pedicles. 



A plant known over all Europe, and to the Pacific coast in our 

 own country^ After flowering, the leaves become bitter, and are 

 not good eating. It is cultivated in wet ditches. 



10. Swamp Starwort or Marsh Chickweed 



Stellaria uligiiiosa. — Family, Pink. Color, white. Leaves, 

 lance-shaped. Time, summer. 



Sepals and petals, 4 or 5. Stamens, twice as many. Styles, 

 3. Flowers, in sessile, broad, flat clusters. 



This is not a common plant. It may be distinguished by the 

 prolongation of the stem beyond the flowers, leaving the cyme of 

 blossoms lateral instead of terminal, as in other chickweeds. It 

 is weak-stemmed, reclining. 6 to 16 inches long. 



