Following the flower-bells come the globular blue-black berries, about the size of a pea; they are fully as charming as the blossoms, but seldom remain long on the stalk, since they are fully appreciated by the birds who devour them quickly. This is a plant of fine gesture, and splendid curves, too large to be figured full-size upon the accompanying plate.
GREAT SOLOMON’S SEAL: Polygonatum giganteum.
| Nodding Lily. | Lilium Canadense. |
| Field Lily. |
Found in grass fields, and moist meadows, during July.
The single, leafy, and smooth stalk is 2 or 3, or more, feet high. In color it is green, often inclined to take on a dull reddish-brown hue near the flowers.
The leaf is long, pointed at the tip, and clasping the stalk at the base; it is of strong fibre; in color a vigorous green. The leaves are inclined to grow in whorls about the stalk, but are often placed irregularly near the top.
The large and spreading, bell-shaped flower is formed of 6 petal-like parts, whose tips are pointed, and curved a trifle,—3 of the parts have prominent ribs down the middle; it is orange-yellow in color, on the inside speckled with many small reddish-brown dots. The 6 stamens and the club-shaped pistil have dull tawny-orange or reddish-brown tips. From 1 to 3, or more, flowers swing nodding on their short stems from the top of the stalk.
When the orange bells of the Field Lily may be seen gaily nodding here and there just above the feathers of the red-top grass in level meadows, midsummer has come in.
