separate plants. The staminate flowers are readily recognized by 
the brown anthers, while the pistillate ones are white and more 
silk-like. 
The well-known Jack-in-the-pulpit, also called Indian turnip 
from the shape of the root, comes into flower toward the middle 
of May. A number of specimens may be found near the bog. As 
a rule only the stamens or the pistils ripen on one plant. The 
plants of dark woods are more brightly colored than those 
growing in the open. The root is extremely bitter, but becomes 
edible after boiling. The blue-eyed grass is a delicate plant near 
the bog. Its slender leaves are flat like those of the iris. A few 
members of the showy orchid family may be seen; the pink and 
two yellow' species of lady’s slipper grow along the path, and the 
purple-fringed orchis in the bog. 
The wild ginger has large, heart-shaped leaves, with brown- 
ish flow'ers growing near the ground. The rootstock has a taste 
somewhat like ginger. 
The spring beauty, also along the path, is a delicate pale pink 
flower, with veins of deeper pink, and grass-like leaves. The 
mandrake, also called May apple and umbrella leaf, has a large 
peltate leaf, which opens like an umbrella. The flowering stem 
bears two other leaves, between which grows the solitary large, 
white flower of disagreeable scent. The little bluets, or quaker- 
ladies, will be found in the Madder Family bed, and also in sev- 
eral places among the grass. They are easy to transplant, and 
may make a continuous bloom in the winter in the house. In the 
Mint Family bed the creeping Gill-over-the-ground, and the self- 
heal are among the early flowers. On a grassy bank south of the 
bog grow the violets. There are more than thirty species in the 
New York region and they form numerous hybrids. 
The wood-sorrels have three leaflets, like the clovers, and a 
pleasant acid taste. A yellow species is common; the purple 
wood-sorrel comes from a bulb. The leaflets close if lightly 
rubbed by the hand, and are very sensitive to changes of light 
intensity, “going to sleep’’ each night at dusk. 
The tall yellow meadow parsnip continues flowering well into 
the summer. Of cranesbills or geraniums there are several 
species on the west side of the path. The small European species, 
herb Robert, is well established here. The little dwarf dandelion, 
sometimes called cynthia, has small yellow flow'ers. It grows in 
the lower part of the meadow, and is common in sandy soil on 
Long Island. 
Among native woody plants flowering in May in the local 
flora section may be mentioned the red-bud or Judas-tree, cherries, 
the shadbush or June berries, hawthorns, ninebark, spiraeas and 
viburnums. There are also a number of introduced shrubs by 
the path, such as white kerria.bush honeysuckle, lilac and privet. 
A. Gundersen. 
