The leaf is rounding, often scoop-shaped or sometimes heart-shaped at the base, with an entire margin, and a thick, leathery texture; in color an opaque dull green. It is set on a long stem, and rises from the root.
The flower is like a shallow saucer, formed of 5 white petals which are much veined with hair lines of pale green; the green calyx is 5-parted; the pistil is green, and surrounded by 5 large-tipped stamens, which alternate with the petals, and a second circle of stamens without anthers,—all straw-color. It is borne singly on a long one-leafed stem.
GRASS OF PARNASSUS: Parnassia Caroliniana.
ORPINE FAMILY.
CRASSULACEÆ.
| Live-for-ever. | Sedum Telephium. |
| Pudding-bag-plant. | |
| Aaron’s-rod (N. H.). | |
| Stone-crop. | |
| Witches’ money-bags (Mass.). |
Found in rocky soil, along roads and in door-yards, blossoming during August.
Its very leafy and branching stalk, from 1 to 2 feet high, is large and round and juicy; very smooth, and pale green, inclining to pink near the blossoms.
The broad, oval leaf, with its stout midrib, and slightly scalloped margin, is thick, tough, and juicy; the surface is very smooth, and the color a light gray-green, pale on the underside with a bloom, and moist to the touch. The leaves clasp the stalk alternately, and very close together, from foot to flower.
The small richly-hued flower has 5 sharp-pointed petals, which spread widely, and are colored a full crimson or garnet; the 5-parted green calyx being also toned with red. The flowers form a close, round, terminal cluster.