Chapter 421

——Steironema ciliatum.

Found in low places, and among shrubby growths, in July.

The single, smooth, 4-angled stalk is from 2 to 3 feet in height, and a shining, light green color, sometimes bronzy.

The leaf is long oval, blunt or very slightly heart-shaped at the base, tapering to a long and very sharp tip; the margin is entire, the ribs noticeable, and the upper surface is velvety to the touch; the color light green. The leaves are set on short stems, which are fringed with erect hairs along their upper edges, and arranged in pairs, the pairs being at right angles to each other.

The rather large corolla has 5 divisions of a rounded oval shape with an abrupt little tip; their outer margin is somewhat puckered, the texture thin, and the color a pure light yellow,—about their bases is a reddish marking that makes a ring in the center of the flower; the 5 erect stamens are straw-color, and the long pistil is green; the calyx is 5-parted, and full green in color. The flowers, on slender foot-stems, are placed by twos and fours on leafy stems, that spring terminally, and from the angles of the leaves.

This handsome plant takes kindly to garden cultivation.


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