The plants mentioned, though differing widely in appearance, 
have some resemblance in the structure of the flower; the parts 
are all separate and attached to an elongated receptacle, and 
there are numerous stamens and pistils; all are classified in the 
Buttercup or Crowfoot Family. Other plants of this group may 
be found in the meadow. 
The Lily Family plants have leaves with parallel veining, and 
the parts of the flowers in threes. Of this group, there will be 
found along the border mound path, in early May, the bellwort, 
trillium, and maianthemum. The bellwort has an angled stem, 
with one or two cream-colored flowers, which develop into a 
three-corneredcapsule. The wake-robin ( Trillium erectum) andthe 
nodding trillium ( T. cernuum ) have stout stems, three large leaves, 
three green sepals, and three colored petals. The little white- 
flowered Alianthenium ca?iade?ise, sometimes called wild lily-of-the- 
valley, is very common in the woods. Later in the month may be 
seen the twisted stalk, much like the bellwort, except that the 
veining of the leaves is more distinct. There is a twist in the 
flower stem, and the fruit is a berry. The clintonia has large 
leaves and an inconspicuous straw-colored flower, developing 
into large blue berries, not edible. Near the lower (southern) 
part of the wild flower meadow may be seen two species of false 
Solomon’s Seal, with flowers clustered at the top, and two species 
of the true Solomon’s Seal with flowers along the stem. The root- 
stocks have large round scars from the stalks of the previous year, 
suggesting the common name. 
Other families represented among the native flowers are mus- 
tard, poppy, and saxifrage. Alongthe path is found toothwort, or 
pepperroot. It has a crisp, edible root. This plant, together with 
many weeds and vegetables, belongs in the Mustard Family, char- 
acterized especially by the four petals and by the four long and two 
short stamens. The blood-root, ot the Poppy Family, growing by 
the path, has a delicate white flower of brief duration; the fruit is a 
capsule. The plant has a red sap, especially noticed in the roots. 
The celandine, which grows commonly about houses, may be 
seen on the meadow. It has yellow flowers and an orange- 
colored, poisonous sap. 
Three plants of the Saxifrage Family grow along the path. 
The early saxifrage blooms in rocky places in April and early 
May; it has a cluster of small white flowers. Later may be seen 
the foamflower, or false mitrewort, andthe mitrewort, or bishop’s 
cap, both with white flowers. The latter has amoreslender raceme 
and blooms a little later. 
The plants of the Composite Family for the most part bloom 
later in the season. The coltsfoot, with yellow flowers followed 
by large, broad leaves, and the little everlasting, or pussv-toes, 
flower in April and May in the lower part of the local flora 
meadow. In the everlasting the stamens and pistils grow on 
