PROMINENT FAMILIES 
Mint family (LabiatcB). Generally herbs with square stems 
and opposite leaves, commonly simple, often aromatic; the 
blossoms generally somewhat two-lipped; stamens four, two 
longer, two shorter. 
Crowfoot family (RanunculacecB) . Herbs with alternate 
leaves, and often some from the root. Blossoms with petals 
and sepals varying from two or three to fifteen; petals some- 
times absent. The sepals are sometimes colored so as to sug- 
gest petals. The Anemone and Buttercup are familiar examples. 
Pink family {Caprifoliacece). Herbs with stems often hairy 
and swollen at the joints ; opposite leaves ; the petals and sepals 
generally five, sometimes four. 
Lily family ( Liliacecs). Generally herbs with regular flowers, 
having a six-divided perianth (aggregation of sepals and petals) 
and six stamens. The perianth-divisions are alike in shape and 
color except in the Trilliums, in which the three petals are quite 
different from the three sepals. The plants sometimes rise 
from bulbs. The leaves may grow from the base or may be 
alternate, or whorled. 
Orchis family {OrchidacecB) . Perennial herbs with very irreg- 
ular flowers, commonly with three sepals and three petals, of 
like texture but different shades. One petal (the lip) generally 
differs greatly from the others in shape and is sometimes length- 
ened at its base into a spur. At the base of the lip is the 
" column," made up by the coalescence of the stamens (one or 
two) with the style. The flowers are sometimes showy, as the 
Lady's Slipper; again insignificant, as in Rattlesnake Plantain. 
The leaves are parallel- veined. 
Rose family {Rosaceos). Herbs, shrubs (or trees) whose 
flowers commonly have five uniform sepals, five petals, and nu- 
merous stamens. The leaves are alternate, often compound, 
with stipules. 
Fig wort family {ScrophulariacecB) . In general herbs with 
irregular, somewhat two-lipped corollas, four stamens, some- 
times with an additional rudimentary one, and sometimes with 
pairs of unequal length. Leaves alternate, opposite, or whorled. 
