51 



THE OCTOBER FLORA OF NEW ORLEANS. 

 By YVillard X. Clute. 



Here beside the Gulf on the border land of eternal Summer. 

 Xature has not yet thought of putting an end to the blooming 

 season. To be sure the seed pods of many species are now orna- 

 menting flowerless branches, but other plants keep up a fine show 

 and one realizes that Autumn is merely the name of a season and 

 does not necessarily carry with it the idea of fading flowers, fall- 

 ing leaves and migrating birds. No sign that Autumn is here — 

 that is, no sign that is perceptible to Northern eyes — is to be seen, 

 save that given by the goldenrod. In the Northern States the 

 goldenrod's race must now be nearly run ; here it is just beginning 

 but there is no promise of a wealth of gold to be lavfshed upon 

 field and wood, as it is a thousand miles nearer the pole, nor is 

 there an indication that the goldenrod will be followed by a long 

 line of asters as at the North. There is one species of aster 

 blooming here at present along neglected waysides — narrow 

 leaved, slender rayed, pale colored, as if pining for its lusty kin 

 in the Northland ; but so far as I have observed this is the only 

 one at all common. But why long for asters and goldenrods 

 when the whole land is overrun with other flowers. The city 

 shares with the country in floral riches. I do not remember ever 

 to have seen elsewhere, roses in such profusion at this time of 

 year. They bloom ungathered in the public squares, they clamber 

 unchecked over the curious squatty houses of old French architec- 

 ture and whole gardens of them usurp the lawns before more pre- 

 tentious residences. I have been told that an armful may be 

 bought at the florist's for ten cents. At any rate, here they are in 

 abundance, filling the air with fragrance, especially in the cooler 

 parts of the day. 



With the roses grow many plants of more tropical appear- 

 ance — clumps of bananas in full fruit, feathery grasses twice or 

 thrice the height of a man, giant-leaved Caladiums, and palms 



