Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-18
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF vER-
MONT.
Ell,
Blo ode DOT, Houstonin, Arbutus an,
their Comrades.

Is not common anywhere, l tnlnk, Out IL Is u
social plant and where one Is found others
are sure 10 be near. 1t delights in rocky |
soil, and slope with surface made rough
by numerous fragments OF stone Is its chos-
en- home. IL sch place its innocent, pure
flowers look up from the midst Of its rude
surroundings The very type Of spotlessness.
The bud. rise like white wands from the
stem and are half sheltered, half enclosed by
a large. much loJcl and sc4lippei leaf.
but the fully opened flower scorns its pro.
lection aud rises above IT, Ii you follow
the reddish s. em down deep enough you will
come to n thick rootstock from which, Wien
wounded, flows the reddish juice which
gives the plant its name
The SHEPHERDS PuRsE is very common
weed blooming in our gardens from early
spring until late fall. 1t grows in Europe
far towards Tie Forth. 1t is interesting be-
cause We may find on The same plant well
developed seed vessels, fuly-opclcd flowers
and Just formed buds. 1t is also OF interest
as the representative Of very large and
respectable family to which belong many use
| full aud ornamental species, as Horse Radisl,
Turnip, Mustard, Sweet Ayssum, Crosses,
etc. The family crest il found as usual in
botanical families, in the ilpwers-in their
| four petals, which form II more Or less perfect
cross, hence the old botanisls named the
| family Crucittrdc, or Cross.bt carers, a name
| not wholly appropriate to such peppory
| family. Another distinguishing mark il
found in the six stamens, four long and two
short. The flowers are most often white,
though not infrcquently they are yellow and
sometimes purple.
The STRING BEAUTY, AMI beauty it is,
grows rather sparingly in our intervals and
meadows. 1t is simplicity itself in its make
up, for it consists only of asimple stem bear
ing two narrow, simple leaves and Il pretty
cluster Of rose-colored flowers yeined with
lines of deeper rose. We have two species,
which are quite similar.
| There are six kinds of naples found in
Vermont, but not more than two ATE In BIOS
som by tie first of May. The RED MAPLE
is one of the most snowy of our trees when
in bloom. The flowers appear before the
leaves and they cover the tree with n Grim
son glory which Is all the greater because of
the lack of bright color in the surrounding
trees. Not only the flowers, but the smaller
branch. IS are of the same crimson hue. 1t
is fond Of daElp soil and nourishes in
| SWdlllps, diluOubh IL EloWo NSii III uiiNt SOh'
II is not usually very large tree.
The WHITE MAPLE is larger tree, but far
less Snowy when in flower 1t grows finely
on the banks Of large streams. In meadows
and other moist soil the NEeuSDo or ASH
LEAvED MAPLE may be often found, though
it is not a very common tree in this State.
1t is fine tee for cultivation as it naturally
grows in a rounded, dome-like form and If a
little attention and trimming be given to it,,
it may, In few years, make II magnificent
tree. It is Of rapid growth and easily trans
planted.
Everyone VIII, Sc ramblcs for spring
flowers have taken him to cliffs and lodges
must have noticed a quaint little plant
whose rose,t,s CT small, brste. edged
: leaves hug the ground, while from their
midst rises the short flower stem bearing a
rather flat bunch Of small white flowers.
This is the EARLY SANTIAGO. II is very
fond of growing in the thin layer OF messy
soil that covers some parts of lodges or large
rocks and the plants may grow so close as 10
form a mat of green that entirely conceals
the surface beneath. 1t represents IA large
family of, chiefly, northern plants.
In modest grace and charming simplicity
no plant excels the IorsrcSIA, plant
whose numerous common names, us forget
me-not, bluels, c;c., att S. its wide distribu
|
; delicate, clear hucd flowers, blue light OF
dark, nnd rarely pure white, is often wonder
full; and the bright yellow eye in the cen
ire of each gives them a cheeriness and q
sparkle that is delightful. They are mos,
, contcn,cd little flowers, bearing divers kinds
Of i'll usage wiihnu, bit Of Immature. You
may pull up few punches in q most un
cercmonious manner and carry them home
t aud put them in shallow dish in water and
they will greet you from day TO day will
. the utmost iricndiHess and good will and
thus may live and even grow for weeks We
e have all of us, hope, seen hilock SO com
: pletcly covered with lIonsona that from Q
short dist ince it seemed one mass OF delicate
color there arc several such near town every
season, and Il most lovely sight they present
G There are many fair flowers in Our SAFE
! but the fl lwcr Of flowers is the Anncrrs, Oh
q May flower 1t is II typical New England
flower for, although its range extends from
4 New England 10 Kentucky, it reaches 1t:
b highest perfection in the New Ensant
n States and in NJ one Of these does ii present
more superb lIowcr clusters or grow in great
or ABUNDANCE than in Vermont. As if TO bt
: ready 10 respond to the first warm rays Of
the spring sun its last years leaves are KEPT
I over that no time be lost in the spring in
developing new oncs, and more than this tn,
lie all winter unharmed Lid,!en under dry
/. leaves and snow, patiently waiting fol
the brightness and warmth Of the coming
spring when they speedily unfold their ex
quisite petals.
2 II is a plant thlt grows where it sees fl
= and nowhere else. Ii may be found fairly
, revcling in the most unpromi,ing places anl
amid the most uncongeniil surroundings
while it will not grow at all IN other places
4 that seem to us most suitable for it. No
can it be cultivated with success. Many
attempts have been made TO tame it anc
make a garden flower of it, but they hav,
: all OF them, believe, been more or less un
: successful. II may do well for short time
, but it soon lqnguishes and dies. Its owl
, wild haunts along can be its homo aud ther,
i only will it thrive.
OF all the hundreds of species OF Wlt
plants there is none am sure that arouses 81
enthusiastic and so universal admiration rs
does the Arbutus. Old and young, ever
many who usually care little for flowers, pay
delighted homage TO this.
There is nothing snowy about this flower
but its winsome bea,.ty attracts everyone ant
a makes 1t more eagerly sought than AM
= other. 1t has qualities which take hole
. upon our hearts and make us love it, just
i why We do not know nor do we care; w
: only know that the Arbutus is ours to have
g and enjoy and this is enough, and eacl
f spring VIC watch with impotence for III
/ blooming and when it appears ye,welcomc i
3 MS friend whose presence makes US bettel
and happier. it is well that there are sucl
plants in the world-plants that so touch the
hearts and sympathies of all, and ! believe
{ that It's presence IN our fields is q fact Of NJ
5 little importance. If there be mission al
the beautiful, and who can doubt it, surely
( part of that mission is fulfilled by our May
S flower, as its sweet and gentle influence IL
s difiused over many heart, making 1t sweet
er and gentler than it would be without it,
1t is good for US that the May flower grow:
5 and good that we are able 10 feel its
/ influence.