THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



97 



This plant is found in many parts of the world and is 

 considered "local rather than rare" in England. In the Old 

 World it was supposed to have magic power and to work many 

 wonders, such as drawing the nails from the shoes of 'the newly- 

 shod steed, the loosing of fetters, locks, etc., but an old writer 

 says, "It is all but false suggestion and meere lyes," an opinion 

 in which I heartily concur. 



OUR NATIVE AQUILEGIA 



By Bessie L. Putnam. 



HILE the mammoth yellow columbine of the Rockies 

 commands the attention from florists which its stately 

 form deserves, its more humble yet ecjually deserving" cousin 

 of our Eastern hillsides, Aquilegia Canadensis, is likely to be- 

 come extinct locally from its native slopes without being given 

 the right to existence in the well regulated garden. 



In form and outline it is infinitely more graceful than 

 most of the exotic varieties, the slender stems and airy form 

 being especially pleasing. The colors, blending from a coral 

 red to a honey yellow in the same blossom, are a unique com- 

 bination as unusual in the floral world as it is charming. The 

 plant is usually in bloom for Memorial Day, a fact which com- 

 mends it to all who are interested in the observation of this 

 day. 



It is hardy, easily grown from seed or by transplanting, 

 and it may even be transplanted when in bloom without detri- 

 ment to the plant. While its natural habitat is the hilly way- 

 side, it readily adapts itself to ordinary garden culture in 

 either sun or shade, easily maintaining its own through root 

 growth, and furnishing enough seed each year to allow as 

 great an increase as is desired. Those growing the garden' 

 columbines will find this, the only native Aquilegia east of the 

 Mississippi, a most charming addition to the collection; while 

 as a feature in our wooded parks, its value should not be 

 overlooked. 



