country, but most to Siberia ; about 20 species have been introduced
into England ; generally ornamental plants. The species
often called Lady of the Lake is now common in gardens ;
branched, long dense spikes of beautiful flowers, continuing long
in blossom. Had it been named Lady of the Gardens, the designation
would have been very appropriate, if not so poetic.
L imosella. L. 13. 2. Mudwort.
From the Latin for mud and seat, the usual place of growth.
L. subulata. Ives. A very small flowering plant; stem an
inch high, bearing one flower with radical linear leaves, as long as
the stem or scape ; corolla short, bell-form, 5-cleft, and unequal,
bluish-white ; August. Nantucket.
L. tenuifolia. Nutt. Is also found in this State.
L indernia. L- 13. 2.
From F. Lindern, a botanist of Sweden ; a genus of few
species, all belonging to North America except one ; some of the
species are rather beautiful; 2 stamens.
L. pyxidaria. Ph. Has its specific name from the resemblance
of its foliage to that of Box ; stem small, square, smooth,
with oblong, ovate leaves, dentate and sessile ; flowers axillary,
pale-blue ; August. Common to Europe.
L. dilatata, Muhl., and L. attenuata, Muhh, often called False
Hedge Hyssop, both grow on inundated banks ; flower in August;
of little consequence.
P enstemon. L. 13. 2.
Besides the 4 stamens, this genus has a long, distinct rudiment
of a fifth, hence its name from the Greek, five and stamen ; a
North American genus of a dozen species, most of which have
been cultivated in England ; one species common at the North.
P. pubescens. L . Beard-tongue. A fine plant, 2 or more
feet high, with pubescent stem, and lanceolate, clasping, sessile,
serrulate leaves ; flowers in a terminal panicle or raceme, pale-
purple or bluish ; hills and banks and valleys ; June ; a beautiful
plant for borders.
G erardia. L. 13. 2. False Fox Glove.
In honor of John Gerarde, an early English botanist; a beautiful
genus of plants almost exclusively belonging to America ;
difficult of culture in England, but “ deserving any pains necessary
to their successful cultivation.” Loudon. More than a dozen
species have been described.
Six species are spread over the State in open woods ; three,
G. Jlava, L ., G. glauca, Eddy, and G. pedieularia, L ., are tall
and large, 2 - 4 feet high, with prominent yellow flowers, and fine
herbage, and are great ornaments to the woods in August and
September. The o th e rs ,G. purpurea, L., marilima, Raf., and
tenuifolia, L ., are small plants with beautiful purple flowers, and
of these, G. maritima, Raf., is found in salt marshes. G. pe-
dicularia, L ., has a foliage like that of Lousewort, from which it
is named ; it is a fine plant 2 feet high, and with the other large
species would be a great addition to the stock of autumnal flowers.
V eronica. L. 2. 1. Speedwell.
Supposed by some to be named from the Celtic word for
botany. An extensive genus, chiefly in Europe, containing near
80 species, only a few common to this country and Europe, and
a few indigenous to this country alone. About 60 species have
been introduced and cultivated in England, and 10 more perhaps
are natives of Britain ; 8 species belong to this State.
V. serpyllifolia. L. Spreads over the grassy fields and streets
in moist and dry soils, and flowers for months ; a short, humble
plant, of beautiful flowers. Introduced.
V. officinalis. L. Common Speedwell. Formerly had some
reputation in medicine ; branching, opposite, and rough leaves,
pale-blue flowers ; woods and fields ; May to August.
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