SPIRAEA (spire’a). During the early summer the several kinds of spiraea make fields and gardens beautiful with their dainty lace-like blossom. The spiraea belongs to the rose family. It is represented by some one of its more than 75 species in every part of the Northern Hemisphere. Some of these species are common wild flowers in the eastern United States and Canada. Others are carefully grown as ornamental shrubs. These include the bridal wreath, which has drooping branches loaded with clustered white flowers. Several others also have white flowers the bridal wreath while other kinds have delicate pink blossoms. None of the species reaches a height of more than eight feet, and many of them are dwarf shrubs. The leaves are pointed and usually have toothed edges. Spiraeas are among the most satisfactory shrubs to grow. Many are very hardy and vigorous in growth. They have few insect or fungus enemies.

Spring-beauty is a type of North American wild flower that blooms in early spring. Spring-beauties are found from Nova Scotia to Georgia and from Saskatchewan to Texas. They also grow in the Western United States from Washington to California. The plants are found in woods, thickets, and even lawns.

A spring-beauty has white pink, or rose-colored flowers. The flowers have pink to purple veins. The plant usually has a single pair of leaves about halfway up the stem. Spring-beauties grow 6 to 18 inches (15 to 46 centimeters) tall. The flowers are perennials-that is, they the spring-beauty is a North American wild flower. Its blossoms are white, pink, or rose-colored, with pink to purple veins may live for more than two years or growing seasons. Scientific classification. Spring-beauties belong to the purslane family, Portulacaceae. They are genus Caytonia.

Star-of-Bethlehem is a small, hardy plant that belongs to the lily family. It grew first in Italy, but now has become a common garden plant in America. Its flowers form the shape of a six-pointed star. The petal like parts are white but have green stripes on the outside. The leaves are green with white stripes. The flower stalk rises from a coated bulb.

People grow the star-of-Bethlehem in gardens, in greenhouses, and in window boxes. Its flowers bloom in May and June, and tend to close before nightfall. The bulbs of the star-of-Bethlehem are poisonous. Scientific classification. The star-of-Bethlehem belongs to the lily family, Liliac. Its scientific name is Ornithogalum.

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Plantain. The common plantain, also called the broad-leaf plantain, is a species that often troubles gardeners. It may be recognized in spring by its circular cluster of broad light-green leaves that grow from the roots. Tall, slender spikes grow up from the center of the cluster. In the summer, these spikes are thickly covered with tiny green flowers. Other plantains include the narrow-leaf plantain, also known as rib grass, which has narrow leaves and short, thick spikes; and the seaside plantain, which has leaves that are used in medicine to lessen inflammation. The seeds of various types of plantains are used as a mild laxative.

A tropical plant called the plantain is a kind of banana. The fruit of this plant looks much like the banana although it is hard and starchy and is eaten cooked. The plantain’s fruit has become one of the chief foods in tropical countries. A type of flour is made from the fruit of the plantain.

Scientific classification. Plantains belong to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. The scientific name for the broad-leaf plantain is Plantago major.

Pitcher plant is the name of a family of green plants with pitcher-shaped leaves that form traps for insects. Pitcher plants are called carnivorous plants because they feed on animal life (see Carnivorous plant), like other green plants, pitcher plants make their own food by a process called photosynthesis pitcher plants live in places where they get little nitrogen from the soil. The trapped insects provide nitrogen for the plants. These unusual plants have many local names. Among these names are sidesaddle sower, huntsman’s-cup, and Indian dipper. The common northern pitcher plant grows in marshes and swamps east of the Rocky Mountains from Labrador south to Florida. The lower edges of its leaves are folded together to form a tube, or pitcher. The top edges are left open to form the lid, or spout Rain water collects in these pitchers. Thick, bristly hairs grow at the mouth of each pitcher. These hairs all point downward and inward. Tiny honey glands cover the inner surface of the lid. The smell of the sweet juice attracts insects. Once the insect alights, the hairs prevent its leaving. It slides down to the base of the tube, where it drowns. After a while, the plant digests the insect. The globe-shaped flower of the pitcher plant grows singly on a long, slender stem. It is a deep reddish-purple color. The people of Newfoundland chose the pitcher plant as their provincial flower. A pitcher plant with yellow flowers grows in the Southern States. It has tall, erect, trumpet-shaped leaves. Another species of the pitcher plant, the cobra plant, native to California. Most insects caught by this plant are killed. However, a certain moth and a species of mosquito make their home in the pitcher.

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PHLOX (floks). In Greek the name phlox means “flame.” The plant is so called from the red color of one species. The colors of others range from white and pink to purple. Many species of phlox are native to the United States. They are among the most abundant and showy of all wild flowers. One light lavender species is found commonly in moist woodlands throughout almost the whole north central and northeastern region. Another pink-flowered species grows in dense tufts on rocky ledges. Still others occur in the western states. Different kinds of phlox may occur at high or low altitudes, in areas that are dry, or in those that are moist. Some are annuals; others are perennial. Through many years of cultivation, hybridization, and selection, a very great variety of phlox is now grown in gardens. They are grown as annuals in many colors and forms. Others occupy places in the rock garden. Still others are among the most brilliant and easily grown of the summer perennials. Dozens of varieties have been named. Most of them are easily grown and flower abundantly from spring to autumn.

PINK (pingk) is the common name of a large group of flowering plants known to botanists as Dianthus. Many Dianthus flowers are pink, but the name pink is used to describe the scalloped or “pinked” edges of the flower petals. Pinks are mostly natives of Europe and Asia, where many kinds have been cultivated in gardens for centuries.

Plants of the pink family have stems with swollen joints and leaves growing in pairs on opposite sides of the stems. Flowers of cultivated pinks are white, pink, red, sometimes yellow, and often striped. They may be single or double, alone, or in clusters. Many are sweet-scented.

Cultivated pinks include the carnation, grown more in English, gardens than in the United States. Other garden pinks are: fragrant cottage, or grass pinks; small-flowered, mat-forming maiden pinks; sweet-scented clove pinks; fragrant Cheddar pinks, with blue-gray foliage; scentless China pinks, often grown as annuals; and bunch pinks, such as sweet William, with closely clustered flowers.

Pinks are easy to grow in ordinary garden soil. They enjoy sunshine, but do best in temperate and cool climates. Some are annuals, but most are biennials or perennials.

Pinks are grown from seed or cuttings. Some, sweet William, for example, often self-sow and grow year after year in old gardens or even escape to roadsides and waste places.

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PETUNIA (pe tu’ nia), a plant of the nightshade family, is a favorite in flower beds and window boxes because of its easy culture, abundant flowers, and its pleasing fragrance. It grows best in rich soil and with plenty of sunshine. The petunia belongs to the same family as the potato and tomato. It grows wild in South America. Through cultivation and selection many kinds are now grown. The flowers of some varieties are small and trumpet-shaped. They may be not more than one inch across. Others range up to more than six inches across with their edges fringed or ruffled. Many are completely double. The petunia’s flowers may be plain white, lavender, rose, deep red, or purple. Some of the cultivated varieties are marked with spots, pencil lines, and broad stripes. The plants range from tiny compact bushes to large spreading vines two or three feet long. The foliage is dark gray-green. The surface of the leaves is covered with downy, sometimes sticky hairs.

Petunias should be planted in sunny, open soil in May or they may be started indoors in April. In planting care should be taken to select a particular type for a special purpose. If high-quality seed is sown, most of the plants will come true to the type specified. If poor seeds are selected, plants of many types and colors result.

Myrtle, is an attractive evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows wild in regions along the Mediterranean Sea and temperate regions of Asia. Some people in the United States cultivate it as an ornamental plant. The myrtle has shiny leaves and fragrant white flowers. The leaves, bark, and blue black berries are also fragrant Manufacturers use them in making perfume. The bark is used in tanning industries of southern Europe. Ancient Greeks thought myrtle was sacred to the goddess of love. Aphrodite. They used it in festivals. The common periwinkle is often called running myrtle. It has creeping stems and attractive blue flowers.

Scientific classification. Common myrtles belong to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Their scientific name is Myrtus communis. The common periwinkle is in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It is Vinca minor.

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Lime is a rounded fruit that is pointed at both ends. It is greener than the lemon, to which it is related. It grows on a small citrus tree. The lime tree comes from India. It now grows in the Mediterranean basin, the West Indies, Mexico, Florida, and southern California. Lime trees grow well in southern Florida, where most United States limes are produced. The type most commonly sold in the United States is the Persian lime, but the smaller Key lime is also sometimes available.

The lime tree rarely grows higher than 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.7 meters). The fruit is important as a source of lime juice and oil of lime, which are used to flavor beverages and food.

Scientific classification. Lime trees belong to the rue family, Rutaceae. The Persian lime is Citrus latifolia. The Key lime is C. aurantifolia.

Slaked lime has a wide variety of uses. It serves as a flux in the production of steel. It also is used in the refining of aluminum, copper, and zinc. Lime “softens” water by removing certain minerals from it, and it plays a valuable role in the treatment of sewage as well many farmers spread lime on their fields to neutralize acid in soil, and homeowners often use lime on their lawns to prevent the growth of moss. Lime also helps.

GOLDENROD is a plant of the family Compositae. There are about 120 species, mostly native to North America. The goldenrod is often spoken of as the national flower of the United States, and in several states it has been adopted as the state flower. The numerous species vary in many ways. They grow on mountains or in plains, in swamps or in dry fields, along the roadside or by the sea. In size they vary from a height of less than one foot to eight feet. Their leaves may be notched or smooth-edged; their stems may be smooth or hairy. All, however, have tiny flowers which grow in thick clusters or long plumes at the end of slender stems, and are followed by feathery fruits and seeds. All are perennials, all belong to the composite family, and all bloom in summer or early fall. Perhaps the most common species is the Canada goldenrod, which has spreading clusters of bright yellow flowers. Among other common species are the sweet goldenrod, whose sweet-scented leaves are sometimes used in making tea or as a source of an oil used in medicine; the white goldenrod, or silverrod, which has creamy white blossoms and long, hairy stems and leaves; and the early goldenrod, whose plumed flowers are often dried for winter decoration. Goldenrods are often troublesome as weeds, since they crowd out less hardy plants and act as hosts to many insect pests and to various mildews and rusts.

They are often blamed for hay fever that is caused by ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Thomas Edison was interested in golden-rods as a possible source of rubber, but the yield of rubber is small in comparison with that of several other plants.

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