212 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



A wheel-shaped corolla, with 5 divisions. The calyx in 

 fruit becomes inflated, and loosely surrounds the berry. When 

 young the plant is covered with soft, 2 or 3 times forked 

 brownish hairs. The edible ripe berry is orange-colored. 



This plant grows on dry hillsides and pasture lands in New 

 Jersey, and south to Florida. 



78 



Another species, P. pubhcens, has simple, not forked hairs 

 upon it. The yellow berry is enclosed in the inflated calyx. 

 The corolla, \ inch broad, is spotted in the centre with dark 

 brown or purple ; stamens with violet-colored anthers. Foli- 

 age rather strong, rank-scented. 



79. Moth -mullein 



V erhascum Blattaria. — Family, Figwort. Color, white or 

 yellow, with a purple tinge in the centre. Leaves, those below 

 petioled and deeply cut, those above clasping, oblong, or 

 lyre-shaped. Time, summer. 



This plant has not the extreme woolliness of, and there is 

 nothing in its appearance that should indicate its near rela- 

 tion to, the common mullein. It is low and smooth, with 

 flowers almost nodding and loosely spiked, making some pre- 

 tensions to prettiness. The filaments of the 5 stamens are 

 fringed with purple. Corolla 5-lobed, open and turned back. 

 It falls off easily. 



The white and yellow varieties often grow side by side. In 

 some places this has become a weed. 



80. White Mullein 



A rarer species is V. Lychriitis, with yellow flowers (or 

 white) in a tall panicle. Leaves are greetiish above, woolly 

 beneath, and the plant is covered with a soft, whitish woolli- 

 ness. 



