WAKE RoBIN FarM, HoME, PENNSYLVANIA 
Bouncing Bet; Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). A sociable, domestic wild flower with 
an old-fashioned spicy scent, growing near people and animals, yards and road- 
sides. Flowers magenta, pink and white. Juice lathers and has been used for 
soap, whence the names “sapo” and ‘“Soapwort.” Came from England, where 
it was likened to the comeliness and “bounce” of a country maid. 25¢ each; 
$2.50 for 12. 
Bunchberry; Dwarf Cornel (Cornus canadensis). Fastidious in choice of acid soil, cool, 
moist upland woods and the company of boon companions, like Arbutus and Clin- 
tonia. It hobnobs with its own Cornus family, especially the Flowering Dogwood. 
The pure white flowers form a carpet as the creeping roots spread. Remarkable 
for its vivid scarlet berries in tight little clusters. 25c¢ each; $2.50 for 12. 
Buttercup, Swamp (Ranunculus septentrionalis). Deep yellow flower, about an inch 
wide, reaching 1 to 2 feet, in a group at the top of smooth, hollow stems. A 
real marsh or pool plant, which grows in sunlight if it must, and in any moist 
ground. Blooms May to August, and enjoys the company of Hellebore, Iris, 
Dog’s Tooth Violet and Sweet White Violet. The Latin name means “little 
frog of the north.” Pliny warned that eating it may cause you to laugh yourself 
silly, but he kindly suggested an antidote for such frivolity, of pepper and pine- 
apple kernels dissolved in date wine. 25c each, $2.50 for 12. 
Butterflyweed; Pleurisy Root (Tuberosa asclepias). Gorgeous, flaming orange flowers, 
this migrant from Holland is the handsomest of the Milkweed family. Grows 1 to 
2 feet high, and best where it has plenty of room and sunlight. Indifferent to 
soil, easily established, grows in dry, poor ground. Self-seeding, and the fleshy 
brittle root can be propagated by division. 25c¢ each. 
Calamus; Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus). Sword-like leaves of this bog plant are at- 
mospheric. The flowering spike is hobnailed with tiny blossoms in June and 
July. Well known to many a boy is the pungent, pleasant flavor. The root is 
medicinal, dried or candied, and rated of old as a 
tonic for feeble digestion and dyspepsia. Used as part 
of incense by Egyptians, long before King Tutank- 
hamen, and by the peoples of Israel, Babylon and 
Greece. Sold in the markets of Tyre (Ezekiel); Solo- 
mon sang of “‘spikenard and saffron, calamus and 
cinnamon”; and Moses prepared “holy ointment of 
pure myrrh, sweet cinnamon, cassia, olive oil and 
sweet calamus.” It grows here 1 to 3 feet high; its 
light shiny green sets off the edges of brooks and 
pools, and will camouflage the ugliest domestic ditch. 
25c .each; $2.50 for 12. 

Calla, Wild; Water Arum (Calla palustris). From the cold slime bogs of the Cape of 
Good Hope comes this immigrant to American garden pools. Its very name, “palu- 
stris” points to its swampy taste. Its root is a bright green stick which adds yearly 
shoots to one end and dies off at the other, restless and migrant, in an inching 
sort of way. Grows 5 to 10 inches above marsh level, upright and sturdy, with 
white flowers in June and bright red berries in August. Easily grown by simply 
pressing into the mud of any boggy nook. Arum Family, cousin of Calamus. 
25c each. 
