1. C. rotundifòlia, L. (Harebell.) Slender, branching (5–12´ high), 1–10-flowered; root-leaves round-heart-shaped or ovate, mostly toothed or crenate, long-petioled, early withering away; stem-leaves numerous, linear or narrowly lanceolate, entire, smooth; calyx-lobes awl-shaped, from {1/3} to {2/3} the length of the bright-blue corolla (which is 6–9´´ long); capsule nodding.—Rocky shaded banks, throughout the northern part of our range, and southward in the mountains.—A delicate and pretty species, but with a most inappropriate name, since the round root-leaves are rarely obvious. (Eu.)
Var. árctica, Lange. Stems more upright and rather rigid; lowest leaves spatulate; the very slender calyx-lobes soon spreading or deflexed; corolla {2/3}–1´ long. (C. rotundifolia, var. linifolia, of Man.)—Shores of the Great Lakes, and northward. (Eu.)
Var. velutìna, DC., has the whole herbage canescently pubescent.—Sand-hills of Burt Lake, Mich. (E. J. Hill).
2. C. aparinoìdes, Pursh. (Marsh Bellflower.) Stem simple and slender, weak (8–20´ high), few-flowered, somewhat 3-angled, rough backward on the angles, as are the slightly toothed edges and midrib of the linear-lanceolate leaves; peduncles diverging, slender; lobes of the calyx triangular, half the length of the bell-shaped nearly white corolla; capsule erect.—Wet grassy grounds, throughout our range. With somewhat the habit of a Galium.
3. C. divaricàta, Michx. Very smooth; stem loosely branched (1–3° high); leaves oblong-lanceolate, pointed at both ends, coarsely and sharply toothed; flowers numerous on the branches of the large compound panicle; calyx-lobes awl-shaped, about half the length of the pale-blue small corolla (3´´ long); style exserted.—Dry woods and rocks, mountains of Va., E. Ky., and southward.
[*][*] Style declined and upwardly curved, much longer than the rotate corolla; openings of the capsule close to the summit; inflorescence spicate.
4. C. Americàna, L. (Tall Bellflower.) Annual; stem mostly simple (3–6° high); leaves ovate and ovate-lanceolate, taper-pointed, serrate, mostly on margined petioles, thin, somewhat hairy (2½–6´ long); spike 1–2° long; corolla light blue, 1´ broad.—Moist rich soil, western N. Y. to Minn., south to Ga. and Ark.
Order 58. ERICÀCEÆ. (Heath Family.)
Shrubs, sometimes herbs, with the flowers regular or nearly so; stamens as many or twice as many as the 4–5-lobed or 4–5-petalled corolla, free from but inserted with it; anthers 2-celled, commonly appendaged, or opening by terminal chinks or pores, introrse (except in Suborder 3); style 1; ovary 3–10-celled. Pollen compound, of 4 united grains (except in Suborder 4). Seeds small, anatropous. Embryo small, or sometimes minute, in fleshy albumen.—A large family, very various in many of the characters, comprising four well-marked suborders, as follows:—
Suborder I. Vaccinieæ. (Whortleberry Family.) Calyx-tube adherent to the ovary, which forms an edible berry or berry-like fruit, crowned with the short calyx-teeth. Anther-cells opening at the apex.—Shrubs or somewhat woody plants, with scaly buds.