The question of the two varieties of Polygonum amphibium.

September 1.

Tuesday. P. M. — To Fair Haven Pond by boat. 

Landing at Bittern Cliff, I see that fine purple grass; how long? 

At Baker's shore, I at length distinguished fairly the Sagittaria simplex, which I have known so long, the small one with simple leaves. But this year there are very few of them, being nearly drowned out by the high water. 

On the west side of Fair Haven Pond, an abundance of the Utricularia purpurea and of the whorled, etc., whose finely dissected leaves are a rich sight in the water. Again I observe that the heart-leaf, as it decays, preserves fresh and green for some time within, or in its centre, a finely dissected green leaf, suggesting that it has passed through this stage in its development. Immersed leaves often present this form, but  seems that even emersed ones remember it. 

High blackberries are still in their prime on Lee's Cliff, but huckleberries soft and wormy, many of them. 

I have finally settled for myself the question of the two varieties of Polygonum amphibium. I think there are not even two varieties. As formerly, I observe again to-day a Polygonum amphibium extending from the shore six feet into the water. In the water, of course, the stem is prostrate, rank, and has something serpent-like in its aspect. From the shore end rise erect flowering branches whose leaves are more or less roughish and prickly on the midrib beneath. On the water end the leaves are long-petioled, heart-shaped, and perfectly smooth. Vide a specimen pressed. I have seen this same plant growing erect in the driest soil, by the roadside, and it ranges from this quite into the water.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, September 1, 1857

Landing at Bittern Cliff, I see that fine purple grass. . . See May 1, 1856 ("How pleasing that early purple grass in smooth water! "); April 29, 1855 ("That lake grass — or perhaps I should call it purple grass — is now apparently in perfection on the water.” . . . )


On the west side of Fair Haven Pond, an abundance of the Utricularia purpurea . . .See August 3, 1856 ("The purple utricularia abundant . . ."); August 5, 1854 ("I see very few whorled or common utricularias, but the purple ones are exceedingly abundant on both sides the river, apparently from one end to the other. The broad pad field on the southwest side of Fair Haven is distinctly purpled with them. Their color is peculiarly high for a water plant.”)

Friday evening. It is perfectly clear.  The sunset sky is orange . I  wear parka and gloves. We sit.  The sunset turns to  starlight  The big dipper holds water this time of year.  Arcturus in the southwest

Now under headlamp we hike to the double chair.. The moon seen in the clearing  will be full in a week. An owl nearby hoots for 10 or 15 minutes eventually calling in a companion who arrives with that raucous clown-like sound. Down the mountain trail and home by 10 o’clock:

On  top of the mountain  

listening to the barred owl 

only a few feet away.

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