312 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



deeper veinings, or sometimes white witii pink veinings. 

 Leaves, long, narrow, grass-like, thick, a pair, opposite, on the 

 stem. Time, April and May. 



Sepals, 2. Petals, 5. Stamens, 5, joined to the petals. 

 Flowers few, in a loose raceme, on long, thick, fleshy stems, 

 from a small tuberous root. Delicate, star-like blossoms, on 

 fragile stems. When plucked the petals quickly close, and the 

 whole plant droops. It is at best but an evanescent beauty, 

 opening only in sunlight, closing at night. 6 to 12 inches high. 



The flowers all turn in one direction — as the botanists say, are 

 secund. Common in all our woods. 



17 



The species C. Carolinicina has broader leaves, fewer and 

 smaller blossoms. The two species are not often found to- 

 gether. The closing of the petals at night seems to bring 

 about self-fertilization, for the pollen falls upon the petals, 

 and they fold over and drop the grains on the stigma. 



There is no prettier sight than a wood, whose trees are light- 

 ly leaved out in early May, carpeted thickly with the Clay- 

 tonia's pink stars. Bryant says — 



" And the spring-beauty boasts no tenderer streak' 

 Than the soft red on many a youthful cheek." 



18. Flax 



Llnum Virginianum. — Family, Flax. Color, yellow. Leaves, 

 alternate, or the lower opposite, entire, small, oblong or long 

 and narrow. On the flowering branches the leaves are like 

 tiny bracts. Time, July, August. 



All the parts of the blossom in fives. The small, yellow, 

 star-like flowers, about \ inch long, are scattered on the 

 spreading branches. 



