Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-03

white mower 10 the 'Diood Toob (sanguln'
aria canavensis), named after its acrid red
Juice, which oozes from the bruised root and
which has similar virtues to Its near rela-
tive, the "celandine" (chelidonium msyus).
Both plants belong TO the natural order oi
papaveraccas or poppies, whose most i'm
portant member ia the oriental poppy
(papaver somniferum) which gives rs the
opium. In the shade Of that rock singular
whorled herb, surmounted by stalk which
bears an ill.scented single flower of dusky
reddish color, engages now our interest;
every part in this plant Is trimerous Coy
threes) ieaves sepals, patals and stamens,
to which fact this genus owes its name
"trillium." Our species is T. erectum, bet
ter known as bath flower" and 1t is gen.
orally found in rocky woods occasionally
together with or supplanted by T. crythro-
carpum (wake robin }, while the more COM
mon T. grandeforum, sometimes called
wood lily" abounds in damp meadows and
borders of woods. The natural order OF
trilliads is chiefly of American origin, and
its numerous mem bers rank among the most
interesting plants Of this region, we'll de-
serving place in our gardens, where they
will show to advantage in adorning rock
works, etc.
Per haps an Orchid or Two.
Leaving gradually cultivated lands and
entering tract of dark mountainous woods,
we may look out for fine orchid, perhaps
cypripedium, or, if we have good luck,
the brightcolored orchis spectabilis or an
aplectrum, better known as "putty root, Z"
on account Of its strongly glutinous roots.
These dark, rich woods are the true home of
many evergreens, mostly members of the
order of ericaceg, or heathworts. We find
here the trailing arbutus'' (epigaa
repens) with its fragrant flowers,
the spicy ''wintergreen" lgaultheria
procumbeus), the 'bearberry" (noctos-
taphylos uva-ursD SO much valued in
medicine, interspersed with the several
members of the vaccinium tribe (blueberries
and huckleberries), the stately "callco
bush" (kalmia cetifolia) or American
laurels, rhodora and azaleas which latter
two genera afford a most magnificent aspect
purple, buff or variegated flowers, some
showing at distance like flames justifying
the popular name of flaming pinxter."
Associated with these shrubs, or rather
sheltered by them, we find patches of the
wild ginger" (asarum canadense) and
usually few srrayed specimens of the 'Tn-
dian turnip" (arum triphyllum), whose
spadix of bright scarlet berries renders this
plant an attractive feature of these forests
in early autumn.
Our secluded resting place beside huge
moss-covered. rock gives US opportunity to
admire some beautiful ferns which thrive
here in this moist, shady location in rare
luxuriance. Prominent among them and
without doubt the most elegant of all is the
maiden hair fern" (adianthum
pedatum), whose exquisite foliage
or fronds form a striking contrast with
its purplish-black stem. Not less interest.
ing is the walking leai' (camptosurus
fern not common in this
section. It derives its name from the prop
erty of its long-pointed leaf or frond to bend
over backwards until it reaches the earth
and there strikes root, thus giving rise to a
new plant. In this way the fern may
walk" by yearly leaps.
Some Plants That Are Characteristic.
Taking up our journey again our atten-
tlen is soon attracted by an odd-looking
plant which bears the genuine stamp Of
originality. A high-forked stem bears a
pair Of compound leaves and panlcIe Of
greenish flowers, followed in time by clus-
ter Of blue berries. This plant, which arises
from knotted rhyzome is known as Spa
poose, or squsw- SCOT" (caulophyllum
thalictroides) and was early known to the
aborigines and highly valued by them. An
equally singular inhabitant of low woods is
the dwarf ginseng" (Panax trifolium), q
whorled herb with three compound leaves,
surmounted by an umbel Of whitish flowers,
which are succeeded by green berries. The
globular root of this plant was once held in
high repute as sovereign cure-all. but more
so that of another species (pyuinquefolium)
which blooms later and frequents rocky
woods.
Following the course of TRANQUIL brook
let we meet on its alder-lined shores a queer
shrub with small yellowish flowers which
precede the leaves. Every part of this
shrub is very tough, the bark is used for
ropes, baskets. and SO on. and contains an
acrid principle which raises blisters upon
the skin. This plant which is the only IN
digenous representative Of the order Thy
mellaccae or daphnas, is the "Ieather
wood" (dirca palustris) when supplauts
here the European daphne mezereum, a low
shrublet whose fragrant hyacinth-scented
rose flowers renders it an attractive feature
of the European forests in early spring.
Since number of years it has become nat
uralized in Canada, and may be found in
great profusion at Niagara Falls, Canadian
side. From number of other early flower
ing shrubs or trees We will yet mention the
'sassafras" (sassafras officinalis) and its near
relative the "spicewood," (benzoin odor-
iferum), both being remarkable for the fra
GRANGE Of their leaves or bark, and the
'papaw" of the Ohio river and its trib-
utaries, whose banana-shaped fruit contains
an eatable cream-llke pulp (custard applet.
Climbing and Twining Plants.
Forcing our way through chaos of
orambles and climbers we notice foremost |
lmong the latter the climbing ivy" (rhus
dicapsl uhioh hr,u u,aape of -
endrils ascends trees to a very con- |
'iderable height. The climbing ivy
belongs to the sumac : family and |
$ for many persons ''touch-me-not" re-
garded as very. poisonous, although less so
han its brother, the "poison sumac"
proper (rhus venenata). OF other climbing |
md twining plants usually found in these |
ow thickets, we still name the several |
pecies of the ''green briar" (smilax), and |
asst, but not the least, the stately aristo-
ocnia sipho, whose curiously-shaped flowers
n the form of an old style tobacco pine
Justify somewhat the vulgar name of
'Dutchman's pipe" As a vigorous climber
he aristolochia rivals with the wild grape
ines and the "moonseed" vine (menisper-
mum canadense), which are often found in
erminged with it; but it surpasses them all
y the elegance of its dense foliage and
uxuriant growth, which renders this plant
xceedingly suited for arbors and other
purposes.
Homeward bound we still have the good
ortune to add to our collection the lovely
'Columbine" (aquilegia canadensis), which
reefs us from the crevices of a projecting
ock in all the splendor of its variegated
flowers effectually contrast
ng with the delicate white stars of a few
onely patches of the 'cliff cress" (arabis
yrata), which grows on these lodges to per-