Again we see the leaves of a plant coming to the aid of other-
wise inconspicuous flowers to. render them more attractive. By
placing themselves in a circle just below these little spidery blos-
soms of weak and uncertain coloring, some of the Indian cucum-
ber’s leaves certainly make them at least noticeable, if not showy.
It would be short-sighted philanthropy on the leaves’ part to help


281


Yellow and Orange


the flowers win insect wooers at the expense of the plant’s gen-
eral health ; therefore those in the upper whorl are fewer and
much smaller than the leaves in the lower circle, and a sufficient
length of stem separates them to allow the sunlight and rain to
conjure with the chlorophyll in the group below. While there is
a chance of nectar being pilfered from the flowers by ants, the
stem is cottony and ensnares their feet. In September, when small
clusters of dark-purple berries replace the flowers, and rich tints
dye the leaves, the plant is truly beautiful—of course to invite
migrating birds to disperse its seeds. It is said the Indians used
to eat the horizontal, white, fleshy rootstock, which has a flavor
like a cucumber’s.
Carrion-flower
(Smilax herbacea) Smilax family


Flowers—Carrion-scented, yellowish-green, 15 to 80 small,’6-parted
ones clustered in an umbel on a long peduncle. Stem:
Smooth, unarmed, climbing with the help of tendril-like ap-
pendages from the base of leafstalks. Leaves: Egg-shaped,
heart-shaped, or rounded, pointed tipped, parallel-nerved,
petioled. Fruit; Bluish-black berries.
Preferred Habitat—Moist soil, thickets, woods, roadside fences.
Flowering Season—April—June.
Distribution—Northern Canada to the Gulf States, westward to
Nebraska.
