96 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



pinnate, of several oblong, deeply serrate leaflets, notched at 

 base, rounded at apex. Time, August, September. 

 Petals, none. Sepals, 4, whitish. 



The color and beauty of the flower lies in the numerous feath- 

 ery stamens which hang their anthers upon long, weak, white fila- 

 ments. 



The pistils, i to 3, help the soft appearance of the flower spike 

 by tufted, plumy stigmas capping long styles. The flowers, each 

 one small, are crowded together, much like a cat-tail in size and 

 shape. The plant grows tall, 2 to 6 feet, with large leaves, bear- 

 ing stipules also serrate, joined to the stem. 



A very common and showy plant, near the coast, in marshy 

 ground. It grows with the beach golden -rod, among sterile 

 fronds of the royal fern, tangled with beach-pea stems, its wavy, 

 white spikes towering above them all. 



II. Thread-leaved Sundew 



Drbsera filiformis. — Family, Sundew. Color, magenta. 

 Leaves, all from the base, long, thread-like, without stalks, 

 covered with purple glands raised on hairs. Time, July, 

 August. 



Parts of the flower in fives or sixes. Styles, divided, so as 

 to seem like 6 to 10, but they are in reality 3 to 5. 2 to 7 

 inches high. 



Flowers, on one side of a naked scape, -i^ inch broad. This spe- 

 cies differs in the shape of its leaves and color of its blossoms 

 from the round-leaved sundew. 



It is insectivorous, and, like the other, catches small insects 

 among its sticky, hairy glands, assimilates and digests them. 

 One may often find dried remains of hapless insects scattered 

 along the edges of the leaves and stems. From Massachusetts 

 to Florida. 



12. Sea-purslane 



Ses'uvium pentandru.-n — Family, Ficoideae. Color, purple. 



