EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY 53 
EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY 
FIREWEED CHAMAENERIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM 
Plate 32, fig. 1 
The Fireweed, as the name indicates, is found on burnt areas espe- 
cially, though it also occurs in meadows and open woods and copses. 
The flowers are pale pink to deep rose-purple and bloom all summer 
long. The plants are widely distributed over the continent up to 
10000 ft. and grow as tall as 5 ft. The name “Willow Herb” is some- 
times given on account of the resemblance of the leaves to those of 
the willow. The Fireweed is cultivated as an ornamental plant in 
England, where the leaves are also used as an adulterant of tea. The 
foliage forms a wholesome vegetable when boiled, and the young 
shoots or suckers make a good substitute for asparagus. Beer and 
vinegar are made in Kamschatka by fermenting the shoots and pith. 
The down on the seeds resembles cotton, but possesses little tenacity, 
and the fibres are too brittle and short to be of any value except in 
the adulteration of other material. 
SCARLET GAURA  GAURA COCCINEA 
Plate 32, fig. 2 
‘he pinkish or red flowers of the Scarlet Gaura grow on slender 
plants 6 in.-2 ft. tall and bloom in spring and summer. They may be 
found on plains and prairies at 4000-5500 ft. 
MERIOLIX /MERIOLIX SERRULATA 
Plate 32, fig. 3 
Meriolix grows 6-15 in. tall and bears yellow flowers that bloom 
in spring and summer. They are found on plains and hills at 4000- 
8000 ft. 
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EVENING PRIMROSE ONAGRA BIENNIS 
Plate 32, fig. 4 
The fragrant yellow flowers of the Evening Primrose open in the 
evening and wither the next morning. They bloom all summer and 
