OPEN WOODS 343 



growing among the decaying, fallen leaves of oak. Flowers 

 are borne on a scaly spike, and with their attendant bracts, 

 they look, says Dr. Gray, " like a fir-cone." The plant is yel- 

 lowish-brown. 3 to 6 inches high. 



79. One-flowered Cancer-root 



Aphyllon uniffbrum belongs to the same family, a root par- 

 asite, with an underground, short, scaly stem and branches, 

 from which grow i to 3 brownish, naked scapes, 3 to 5 inches 

 high, with a single purplish flower. This is tubular, large (i 

 inch long), with 5 diverging lobes. Looking into it one sees 

 2 folds, bearded with yellow, not without some grace and 

 beauty. 



Common East and westward. 



80. American Pennyroyal 



Hedebma pulegioides. — Family, Mint. Color, blue. Leaves, 

 small, petioled, somewhat toothed, ovate, strongly scented. 

 Time, summer. 



Calyx and corolla, 2-lipped. The upper lip of corolla is 

 notched ; lower 3-cleft. Stamens, 2. Low, erect stems, with 

 a few flowers in whorls in the leaf-axils near the tops of the 

 branches. It is rough, hairy, stiff, erect, growing plentifully 

 in dry woods. 4 to 6 inches high. 



The true pennyroyal is Mdntha Pulkgium of Europe, to which, 

 however, the American species is very similar in growth, odor, 

 and medicinal properties. From New England southward and 

 far westward. 



81. Lyre-leaved Sage 



Salvia //rata. — Family, Mint. Color, bluish purple. Leaves, 

 from the root, deeply cut, lyre-shaped, sometimes entire; on 

 the stem, generally a single pair, small and narrow ; near the 

 flower, a few, bract-like. 



