BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
Series 1 Brooklyn, N, Y., May 14, 1913 Number 6 
PLANTS FLOWERING IN THE 
LAST HALF OF MAY 
HERBS 
A. — With White or Cream-colored Flowers: 
Along the shady path, in the local flora section, are two 
species of baneberry, Actaea alba and A. rubra , both native Amer- 
ican woodland plants, and both used in medicine. In flower the 
two species are almost indistinguishable, but later on, when the 
fruits develop, A. rubra has red fruit and A. alba , as its name 
indicates, has white fruit. Near it on the path is a group of the 
mandrake, or May-apple, Podophyllum peltatum , with cream- 
colored flowers half hidden by the large flat leaves. It is used 
extensively in medicine, being the basis of the well-known 
mandrake pills. It is a common plant in the Eastern United 
States, but is unknown as a wild plant on Long Island, and 
rather rare on Staten Island. 
B. — With Yellow or Purple Flowers: 
Along the border mound, among the orchids, the beautiful 
yellow-flowered lady’s slipper ( Cypripedium parviflorum ) is just 
about to come into flower, and will be in full bloom on Satur- 
