142 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



II 



Or the Frimrose- leaved Violet ( V. primulcefblid), with leaves 

 somewhat heart-shaped at base, and white blossoms. This 

 may sometimes be found in dry soil. 2 to 10 inches high. 



These are some of the stemless violets, without true stems, 

 bearing leaves from the root, and flowers on scapes. They bear 

 two kinds of blossoms, the earlier, which we know, and later ones 

 near the root, under the leaves, which do not produce petals, and 

 which are self-fertilized in the closed bud, more fruitful than the 

 other and showier blossoms. These are called " cleistogamous " 

 flowers. It is a matter of interest to find them, in July and Au- 

 gust, under a clump of leaves. 



12 



Pale Violet ( V. stridta) is 6 to 10 inches tall, with leafy stems, 

 leaves heart-shaped, finely toothed, and fringed stipules. 

 Flowers, white or cream color, with purple lines, short-spurred. 

 An early and late bloomer, found southward in the mountains. 



13. Ragged-robin 



Lychnis Flos-ciiculi. — Family, Pink. Color, red. Leaves, 

 very narrow, opposite. Time, summer. 



Calyx, with 5 short teeth. Eetals, 5, each divided into 4 

 long, narrow lobes. These linear lobes, erect, wavy, or curled, 

 make this a " ragged " flower. The color, like that of the red- 

 breast, suggests the robin. Flowers in panicles. 



Imported from Europe ; found in New England and New York. 



14. Northern Stitch wort 



StBllaria borealis. — Family, Pink. Color, white. Leaves, 

 broadly lance-shaped or ovate. Time, summer. 



Sepals, 4 or 5. Petals, 2 to 5, very short, overtopped by the 

 calyx ; sometimes lacking. Styles, 4. 6 to 18 inches high. 

 A species bearing flowers both at the ends and in the forks of 



