308 PLANTS GROWING IN WASTE SOIL. 
Pistils ; several. Leaves: five-lobed; the divisions again divided or cleft. 
Stem: one and a half feet high; hairy. 
This lovely flower that has come to us from Europe and es- 
caped from the gardens to the roadsides isa relative of the 
hollyhock. It is mostly in the evening that it emits a faint 
musk-like perfume. 
WHITE ALDER. SWEET PEPPERBUSH. (Plate CLIX.) 
Cléthra alnifolia. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
White aldzr. White. Tragrant, New England southward. July, August. 
Flowers : growing in upright clustered racemes. Calyx: of five sepals. 
Corolla: of five long, narrow petals. Stamens: ten; protruding. /7sti/: one. 
Leaves: alternate; ovate ; veined; toothed. A handsome shrub three to ten 
feet high ; upright; leafy. 
One of the joys of the late season is the bursting into bloom 
of the clethra. Its delicate blossoms and the intense fragrance 
that it sheds about recall again the early spring days of timid 
flowers and soft green leaves which have later become sadly 
overheated or dusty beyond recognition. It seeks its home in 
shady lanes along the coast, where the air is moist, and which is 
undoubtedly the reason of its freshness so late in the season, and 
of the vigour of its dark green leaves. It remains in bloom a 
long time. When bruised the foliage emits a peculiar odour. 
C. acuminata, mountain sweet pepperbush, is found in the 
mountains of Virginia and Georgia. Itis readily knownasa 
near relation of the above species. 
COMMON SPEEDWELL. 
Veronica officinalis. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
ligwort. Light blue. Scentless. General. July. 
Flowers: small; growing in axillary, spike-like racemes. Ca/yxr: four- 
parted. Corolla : wheel-shaped ; with four lobes. Stamens: two. stil: one. 
Leaves ; opposite; on short petioles; obovate; toothed; hairy or smooth. 
Stem : prostrate. 
This dear little speedwell is a variable plant, sometimes 

