The stalk bears prim branches, and is very leafy; woody-fibred, and strong, the surface being woolly. Pinkish-brown in color.
The leaf is oval, with a strong midrib, and a notched margin; the under surface is covered with wool of a whity-green color, the upper is full green in tone. The leaves, on scarcely perceptible stems, spring from the stalk with a strong and noticeable arch, which points them upwards; they are placed close together, and alternately.
The 5 petals are very small, round or slightly oval in shape, rosy-pink in color, as are the many stamens, which give a feathery look to the blossoms. The small calyx is 5-parted, and green. The flowers are crowded in small spires, that are arranged closely in a fine-pointed terminal spire, which is often 3 inches in length.
The flowers open first at the tip of the spire, which thus frequently turns to pale brown, before the light green buds at the base begin to swell. The ripened seed-spires of the previous year, dried to a rich gray-red, or deep brown, are retained during the flowering season, and add much to the attractiveness of the plant. The upturned undersides of the leaves are often tinted with pale rose color, as though reflected from the blossoming spire; all along the middle of the stalk they are larger than at the foot, or near the flowers. Upland slopes, which offer favoring conditions to the plant, take on a perceptible tone of pink during the blossom-time because of its numerous presence,—it is unfortunate that farmers rate this gregarious habit as pestiferous.
STEEPLE-BUSH: S. tomentosa.
| White Geum. | Geum album. |
Found along roads, and moist and shady thickets, from June to September.
The zigzag branching stalk varies from 10 to 18 inches in height, and bears few leaves; it is tough, coarse fibred, and rough with hairs; it rises from a foot-tuffet of leaves. Of a brownish green color.
The root-leaves are large, and 3-divided into round, unequal, parts, with a round-scalloped margin, that is often wavy; and set on long hairy stems,—along which are sometimes scattered other indeterminate little leaflets; the upper leaves are simple, and narrow, or deeply 3-cleft, with uneven sharp-notched margins, and set on long stiff stems, which clasp the stalk with a pair of 3-notched wings; a few small leaves near the flowers are set close on the stalk clasping with small narrow wings. The surface is hairy, texture loose, and coarse; the color a crude green; the arrangement alternate.