DEEP, COOL, MOIST WOODS 361 



15, Dog Violet 



V. canina, var. Muhktibergii^ bears a light purple blossom. 

 Its upper leaves are heart-shaped, pointed; the lower kidney- 

 shaped, crenate, with long and narrow stipules. Time, May 

 to July. This common violet grows 6 or 8 inches high, in 

 damp woods or shady spots. The corolla-spur is long, half 

 the length of the petals. The stem, at first erect, produces 

 later low, reclining branches. 



16. Pearlwort 



Sagina procumbens. — Family, Pink. Color, white. Leaves, 

 small, thread-like, numerous. Time, summer. 



Sepals, 4 or 5, longer than the petals, broadly ovate. Petals, 

 generally 4, sometimes wanting. Stamens, as many as sepals, 

 or twice as many. Styles, 4 or 5. 



This is a small, matted, moss -like plant, spreading on the 

 ground in damp woods. The tiny flowers are on the ends of 

 the stems or branches. 



17. Herb-robert 



GBranium Robertianum (generic name signifies a crane, 

 from the long-beaked fruit; this species named after Rob- 

 ert, Duke of Normandy). — Family, Geranium. Color, purplish 

 pink. Leaves, 3 to 5-divided, the divisions twice dissected. 

 Time, June to October. 



Sepals and petals, 5. Stamens, 10. Sepals, tipped with a 

 short awn, rough, hairy, with the stems often reddish. A 

 strong scent pervades the plant, coming from resinous glands 

 which are scattered in the foliage. Flowers small, single, or 

 2 or 3 together among the leaves, from forking stems. 



This is one of those plants which, by the sudden, elastic burst- 

 ing of its pods, scatters its seeds a long distance, often several 

 feet. 



