i6 
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
[Vol. 9 
(Mill.) K. Koch, Ptelea trifoliata L., Ilex decidua Walt., /. opaca Ait., /. 
Cassine L., Cephalanthus occidentalis L., Staphylea trifoUa L., Xanthoxylum 
americanum Mill., X. Clava-Herculis L. (rare), Samhucus canadensis L., 
Corylus americana Walt., and C. ro strata Ait. (both forming dense thickets), 
Cornus stolonifera Michx., C. florida L., Hamamelis virginiana L., Adelia 
acuminata Michx., Styrax americana L., hinder a Benzoin Blume, Physocar- 
pus opulifoliiis (L.) Maxim., Rihes gracile Michx., Rosa Carolina L., Amorpha 
fruticosa L., Cercis canadensis L., Chionanthus virginica L., Viburnum pruni- 
folium L., and Amelanchier canadensis (L.) Medic. 
In the spring and early summer the woods are extremely attractive 
during the flowering period of such plants as Magnolia, Cercis, Chionanthus, 
Adelia, Cornus, and Asimina. 
During the spring several perennial plants flower. One of the earliest 
is Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Nutt., of which the spadix at first appears 
and later in summer the broad, veiny leaves. Phlox divaricata L. shows its 
bright blue flowers in almost any part of the woods. Mertensia virginica 
(L.) Link frequently covers large patches between the trees. Other vernal 
plants which are of common occurrence are Claytonia virginica L., Uvularia 
grandiflora Sm. (rare), Erythronium americanum Ker, E. alhidum Nutt., 
Trillium recurvatum Beck, T. grandiflorum (Michx.) Salisb. (rare), Dode- 
catheon Meadia L., Trientalis americana (Pers.) Pursh, Podophyllum peltatum 
L., Thalictrum purpurascens L., Viola blanda Willd., Arisaema triphyllum 
L., and Hydrastis canadensis L. 
During summer one finds in these dense forests extensive areas covered 
with Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw., Pilea pumila (L.) Gray, and Laportea 
canadensis (L.) Gaud., forming the nettle association. In less dense areas 
there is a diversified perennial vegetation of Rudheckia laciniata L., Eupa- 
torium coelestinum L., E. urticaefolium Reich., E. perfoliatum L., Elephan- 
topus carolinianus Willd., and clumps of the beautiful flowering Spigelia 
marilandica L.; the bright scarlet flowers of Lobelia cardinalis L. are visible 
at a long distance. Between the various herbs creeps Eryngium prostratum 
Nutt., while at some places Commelina virginica L. is very common. Tract s 
of land which are denuded of trees are covered with Actinomeris squarrosa 
Nutt. Of other common species I will mention Silphium perfoliatum L , 
Ambrosia trifida L., Lactuca ludoviciana (Nutt.) Riddell, Botrychium vir ■ 
ginianum (L.) Sw., B. ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. and Adiantum pedatum L. 
The bottom lands along the Mississippi in the southeastern section of 
the state are to a large extent covered by big woods of the same type, mix- 
ture, and character as those described above in the swamps and somewhat 
higher lands; marshes are here common. Directly along the shores are 
dense stands of Phragmites communis L., Cyperus acuminatus Torr. & 
Hook., and Fimbristylis autumnalis (L.) R. & S. Here and there some 
individuals of Thalia dealbata Roscoe and Pontederia cor data L. may be 
noticed, whereas other parts of the shores are practically bare. Mud flats 
