HARPER'S GUIDE TO WILD FLOWERS 



i to 3, on long peduncles, at the top of the low stem, which is 

 about 4 inches high. Leaves, small, mere scales below; larger 

 above, ovate, petioled, many at the summit, sometimes appear- 

 ing as if whorled just under the flowers. May and June. 



A beautiful early flower, its peculiar shape suggesting an 

 orchid. The flowering branches spring from underground 

 stems. These bear, later, small, homely flowers close to the 

 ground, which pollinate themselves in the bud. Open woods. 

 Not uncommon. (See illustration, p. 263.) 



Racemed Milkwort 



P. polgyama. — Color, deep crimson. Stamens, 8. Wings, 

 longer than the keel. Crest of corolla somewhat cut. Flowers, 

 showy, in a long, terminal raceme, on short pedicels. When old 

 they curve backward. Leaves, small, many on the simple stem, 

 oblong or lance - shaped, smaller below, sessile. Root - leaves 

 petioled. Taller than the last, 4 to 9 inches high. Stems, clus- 

 tered from deep and slender roots. Biennial. June and July. 



From the root short, underground runners spring, bearing 

 a loose raceme of inconspicuous, self-pollinating flowers. Dry 

 soil from Maine to Florida and westward. 



Field Milkwort 



P. sanguine*. — Color, deep purplish red. Calyx, of 3 small, 

 green sepals and 2 large, colored wings. Corolla of 3 petals, the 

 keel crested. Stamens, 6 or 8. Leaves, scattered on stem, sim- 

 ple, entire, long, narrow. Fruit, a pod, flat and notched at the 

 top. Flowers, clustered in a globular head, like clover, which 

 elongates as it grows older. Stems, branched and leafy. June 

 to September. 



A pretty flower found in various soils, moist and dry, by 

 roadsides, mostly in wet meadows, where it is often so plenti- 

 ful as to make masses of color. Common, from New Eng- 

 land westward and southward. 



P. mariana. — Color, rose purple. A slender, smooth species 

 with flowers collected in button-like heads on pedicels. Lower 

 flowers, with their bracts, fall soon, leaving the stem rough. Leaves, 

 about I inch long, scattered on the stem, which is 6 to 16 inches 

 high. July to September. 



Dry or moist sandy soil, common, from southern New 

 England to Florida and Texas. 



P. NuttMUu — Color, greenish or dull purple. (See under 

 Purple Flowers, p. 319.) 



264 



