Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-22
NOTES ON THE FLORA or vEH-
MONT-vIII.
lIeatlis and Orchids.

families contains so large number of band ,
some shrubs as does the Heath family. The
Laurel, Rhodora, Rhododendron, Azalca
Ledum, Andromeda, and many others are
members of this large group which contains !
not less than two Thousand species, most Of
which grow in the swamps and on the I
mountain slopes Of the temperate zone.
There are but few trees and comparatively
few herbs, by far the greater part of the FAM
| lily being shrubs. Very many are adorned
with smooth, shining leaves which retain
their fine appearance throughout the winter.
Others have small ncedle-like leaves. Very
many have large, snowy flowers and some
of them are superb beyond description.
The family coat of arms is found In the
monopetalous corolla, which is usually glob-
ular, bell-shaped or saucershaped the five
or ten s,amcps single pistil and several called
ovnry. There are few Species not typical
representatives of the family, which have
distinct petals. Not all the species be-
longing to this group are now in bloom, but
the finest are or will be very soon.
The CRANBEREIgs, and there are several
species, are all very neat, pretty little vines,
running over the damp, black surface of
, hogs or amorg the mas and small herbs that
grow there. The leaves are small and oval,
and arranged along each side Of the slender
stem with much regularity and almost
. prmncss. The petals of the small flowers
f are turned back against the stem leaving the
1 Loo plu d anil ,,iulI F,,r
ward in sharp point. The crimson or scar
: let berries are far more SNOWY than the little
pink flowers. The Cranbcrics love the cold,
Northern climate and may be found on the
y very SUBMITS of our highest mountains and
= they roam far towards the POLE, frightening
n and adorning many dismal bog until their
y further progress is checked by the Arctic
ocean.
If The lIuCKLEDEEIIEs and BLrEREpRIEs are
Il also lleaths, though less ornamental than
most of the family. The differences noted
;. in the botanes by which these two genera
may be distinguished are not very obvious,
le the chief one being that in the Hucklcberry
'e the ovary, which becomes the berry, is ten
celled, while in the Burberry it is four or five
T. celltd, but as in most of the latter genus the
Is berry becomes partially ten celed this char
acter is not always sufficient. except to a
!" skilled botauist. The IIuckeberry also has
fewer seeds than the Blueberry, but
what there are are harder and more trouble
some to the eater. They both grow in all
kinds OF soil aud location, some on the driest
{. aud most sandy plains, more in or about
10 swamps, others on mountain submits and
'r others in the forests that clothe theiI rocky
Vi slopes
at Three species of Laurel grow in Vermont,
as though one of them, abundant enough IN
of southern New England, is only found in
the southern part Of this State and rather
us sparingly there. 1t evidently does not dare
oil to trust itself to the inclemency of our
winters and therefore prudently declines to
On grow over the colder portion of the State.
~ Alores the pity, for it is most magnificent
n shrub, rivalng the Ilimalayan Rhododen
u drons in spendor. This species, the MouN.
p TAIN LAUREL, furnishes in its curiousy
or knobbed, knottcd and .contorted roots
M and stems the material for most of our rustic
10 baskets and vases. Its leaves are, like those
IL Of the Rhododendron, large, dark green
he glossy and rich, and form fit setting fol
We the splendid clusters of large flowers which
us vary in color from deep rose to white. The
le- profusion with which this generous shiul
Ter scatters its beauties over the rocky WOODLAND
is MISS upDll HISS lHtl
is are piled up until they seem to have sol,
by possession of the place and TO be taking
re- supreme delight in making it as beautiful a
re- possible One of the glorious sights of ,
W. New England springtimc Is this of slope
en- or forest border, loaded with the lavishly dis
IT. played flowers of the Laurel and once sect
re- the sight is no, TO be soon fory 1t is a
yer bold and hardy as it is superb Many of on
he woodland sprites are very shy and us sool
,,.i.I,
at ments they fold their petals and disappear
re, but the Laurel cares little for man or any
ed thing that he may do, short of actua
NJ destruction and clings tcnaciousy.. to it
wontcd haunts and leaves them only as i
ed dies.
a. The other two species of Laurel are boil
re- OF them common over the whole State. Boil
Ar. are pretty, but far inferior to their large
re-, sister. OF the two the prcttiest is the SWAMI
ut LAUREL, and it is not a shrub to be passed
he with merely glance but is well worthy o
a careful examination. 1t shares somcthin.
OF of tie generosity of the Mountain Laurel, 70
ere you may sometimes find it growing so plen
he tifully in II swamp that it covers acre afte
M acre and when its flowers are fully expanded
n they extend in rosy waves far and WIDE al
OF. unbrOken mass OF color.
0G The flowers of all the Laurcls are of simla
y, shane, wide, shallow, pcntagonal about tn
he inside, which are elevations outside ant
er- which add to the elegance of the flower
But these little pockets arc for use rattle
III than for ornament, and it is quite amusing
IN. 10 see now they arc used One might ex
la anime them with all care and patience ant
es- never once suspect that these holows ar,
as hooks in which, when the flower first opens
rs. the ten stamens play at hide and seek will
A. the bees, but they are. In each of ihes,
littln olrko ha Nnwar lttl,
Va brown head is half hidden and there the,
~. wait most patiently for their playmate tC
W come, and when he comes, they gleefull,
IS, Jump up and powder him all over with tn,
lb- pollen which they contain. Then, as he goe'
+. to suck the nectar from another flower HI
=. rubs his dusty coat against its pistil ant
D. ferlilizes it, getting very likely another dust
ing meanwhile. So important IS this actor
of insects to the flowers that it is said tina
if covered with ga,ize SO that the insects can
not reach them no seed is produced Ii
IL such case the samens do not raise thel
heads at all, but finally wither away. 1ol
hi may play the part of the bees yourself if yol
of like and tickle the bent over stamens with
pin and they will respond at once If tn,
no Hover is fresh enough.
NJ The SHEEP LAUREL grows on dry hllsides
'u' and is Il much less attractive plant than til,
Up others. Its leaves lack the neat, smootl
re finish of those of the allied species and TIT
H. whole air of the plant is rather detected ant
~ u i'll favored.
c'i First cousin to the snowy azaeas of on
I. greenhouses is the SWAMP AzALEA, and it il
'Iu not unworthy of its kindred, though mucl
~ less gorgeous than its more highly cultivated
as relative. 1t is not at all common here, but
oi few plants may be found in lIigbee's Swamp
III though: only by searching, for they have {
%, way of hiding among other bushes. The
all flowers appear just before the leaves ant
Nv o,yn, ,la broun t,,ios with a purnlp rnbp M