WILD -FLOWERS
MACG
,B.Sc
THE PEOPLE'S B OOKS
BIOLOGY
LIBRARY
,, *^1 '
THE
PEOPLE'S BOOKS
WILD FLOWERS
WILD FLOWERS
BY MACGREGOR SKENE, B.Sc.
LECTURER ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY, ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY
LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK 67 LONG ACRE, W.C., AND EDINBURGH NEW YORK: DODGE PUBLISHING CO.
BIOLOGY
LIBRARY
CONTENTS
PAGE INTRODUCTION ........ 9
WHITE FLOWERS . . . . . . .15
YELLOW FLOWERS .33
ROSE FLOWERS ........ 51
RED FLOWERS 57
PALE PURPLE FLOWERS 59
PURPLE FLOWERS ....... 65
BLUE FLOWERS ........ 75
BROWN FLOWERS .80
GREEN FLOWERS ........ 82
FLOWERS RARELY FOUND OR VERY INCONSPICUOUS . 87
INDEX OF LATIN NAMES ... .89
INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES . . . . . .91
B30206
vii
WILD FLOWERS
INTRODUCTION
THAT curious characteristic of the human mind which will scarcely let us rest content in the beauty of an object, but forces us to seek out the something concrete with which the beauty is associated, cannot be better exemplified than by the universal desire to put a label on the object of our admiration, be it picture, or mountain, or tree. For most of us the interest of wild flowers lies chiefly in their aesthetic appeal; and yet, though it does not affect the loveliness of the plant, there are few who do not feel their interest quickened by the knowledge of what the flower is called. To enable that great majority of flower-lovers, which has no acquaintance with the technicalities of botany, to acquire that knowledge is the aim of this book. In such short space little more is possible ; but the attempt has been made to indicate in some cases the peculiar interest that a plant may have for mankind, in others some point worthy of remark in its own life. The reader will also observe that plants do not grow at random in any sort of situation, but that they occur in nature in definite communities, one set preferring the river-side, another the woodland, a third the moor or the pasture. Such indications, though quite inadequate, may be sufficient to widen somewhat the interest of our flowers.
The number of technical terms has been reduced to a mini- mum, hardly a score of words not in everyday use being em- ployed : the meaning of these will be clear to anyone who has read the following introductory paragraphs.
GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE PLANT
Flowering plants are composed of four distinct sets of organs, to each of which is assigned a particular role in the life of the whole. (1) The Root serves to fix the plant firmly in the soil, and to absorb from the soil the water and the mineral salts
9
10 WILD FLOWERS
which the plant requires. (2) The Stem bears the leaves and flowers, holds them in advantageous positions, and carries to them water and various nutrient material. (3) The Leaves re- ceive from the root water and mineral substances, and from the air the important gas Carbon dioxide; from these they are able to build up the food of the plant — such substances as sugar and starch. This they do by virtue of their green colouring-matter, which absorbs a large quantity of light, necessary for the carry- ing on of the chemical processes involved in the formation of the food substances. (4) The Flowers have as their special function the reproduction of the plant by means of seed-forma- tion. In reality the flower is a collection of leaves, deeply modified to enable them to perform their new work ; some produce the true reproductive bodies — the pollen-grains and the ovules — others protect these, and aid them in various ways.
For our present purpose it is necessary to consider the ex- ternal form only of these different parts : a fuller treatment of their structure, and of the way in which they carry on their work, is to be found in another of the books of this series, Dr. Marie Stopes' Modern Botany.
1. The Root. — Only in comparatively few cases does the root present features of value for the identification of a plant ; of interest are those roots, which serve to store food, and so be- come swollen and tuberous (e.g. orchis).
2. The Stem. — It may be necessary to note whether the stem is branched or without branches — simple. Many stems stand straight up — erect; but frequently we meet with plants the stems of which lie along the ground— prostrate; in yet other cases the stem may support itself on external objects — climb or ramble.
3. The Leaf is typically divided into two parts, the leaf-stalk and the blade; very often, however, there is no stalk, and then the leaf is said to be sessile. The margin of the blade is some- times quite smooth — entire — but usually it is cut into or notched in various ways. If it presents a series pf little teeth pointing forwards, like those of a saw, it is serrate; if the teeth are more irregular and point outwards, it is toothed. Often the cutting is much more profound ; it may go right down to the central vein (mid-rib) of the leaf, so dividing it into a number of smaller leaflets, in which case we have a compound leafj as opposed to a simple leaf — one in which the cutting does not reach the mid-rib. If the cutting, though not deep enough to form a compound leaf, yet divides it very deeply, we have a segmented leaf ; if the cutting is" less marked still, the leaf is said to be lobed. In compound, segmented, and lobed leaves the cutting may take place in two different ways : (1) if the
INTRODUCTION
11
leaflets, segments, or lobes radiate out from one point at the apex of the leaf -stalk, the leaf is palm-compound (segmented, &c.) ; (2) if, on the contrary, they arise at the sides of the mid- rib, it is feather 'Compound, <fec. Often the leaflets of a compound leaf are themselves compound, in which case the leaf is doubly compound : further complications are adequately described by combinations of the terms given above.
The actual shape of the leaf or leaflets is described by a series of terms, some of which are self-explanatory, while the
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 0.
Fig. 1.— Ovate leaf with toothed margins. Fig. 2. — Heart-shaped leaf with serrate margins. Fig. 3.— Lance-shaped leaf. Fig. 4.— Elliptical leaf. Fig. 5. — Arrow-shaped leaf . Fig. 6.— Halbert-shaped leaf. Fig. 7. — Feather- compound leaf with seven leaflets and two stipules (st.). Fig. 8.— Palm-lobed leaf. Fig. 9.— Feather-segmented leaf, lyre-shaped, with coarsely toothed margins.
meaning of the others may be best understood by reference to the accompanying diagrams. One term requires special mention ; by lyre-shaped, we mean a feather-compound or feather-lobed leaf, in which the terminal lobe or leaflet is larger than the others.
In many plants there are to be found, at the base of the leaf-stalk, two leafy outgrowths, sometimes quite small, some- times as large as the leaf itself — these are called stipules.
Of the surface of the leaf, we note that it may be smooth or hairy; and of its texture that, in a few cases, it is fleshy or leathery,
4. The Flower. — If we pull the flower of a buttercup to
12 WILD FLOWERS
pieces, we find that it consists of four different kinds of organs. To the outside there is a whorl (or circle) of five greenish scales : these are sepals, and together make up the calyx, which in the bud protects the delicate internal parts of the flower. Then comes a whorl of yellow petals, forming the corolla : its bright colour, and the fact that frequently, as in this case, there is to be found honey about its base, induce insects to visit the flower. Inside the corolla there is a large number of stamens; each of these consists of a delicate stalk, and a little head, in which is produced the dust-like pollen. Finally, in the centre is a number of green grains, the seed-vessels : at the tip of the seed- vessel is a receptive spot — the stigma — which is frequently borne on a slender stalk — the style. Before the flower can set seed, it is necessary for the ovules, which are contained in the seed-vessel, to be fertilised, and this can take place only if pollen from the stamens reaches the stigma— the receptive spot of the seed-vessel. It has been found that better and more abundant seed is set if the pollen be obtained from the flower of another plant, and it is for the purpose of attaining this end that the plant invites the visits of insects. These, in their hunt for honey, brush against the stamens and stigma, and as they always carry about a dust of foreign pollen, there is a considerable chance that the stigma of a flower will receive pollen from one of its kind, growing on a separate plant.
The different parts of the flower may be arranged in different ways : frequently a complete set of parts is wanting — the wood anemone, for example, has no corolla, but only a calyx, which has become brightly coloured to take the place of the missing petals. If either stamens, or seed-vessel, be absent, then two kinds of flowers, one male with stamens, one female with seed- vessels, are found, and sometimes on different plants. The numbers of the parts vary greatly. Frequently the parts of a whorl are united to form a single piece. The seed-vessel is often embedded in the flower-stalk, below the other parts, instead of being above them, as in the buttercup.
The flowers may occur singly in the axils of the leaves, that is, in the angle between the leaf and the stem ; but more fre- quently they are grouped in characteristic inflorescences. By a spike we mean, in this book, any elongated mass of flowers occupying the apex of a stem or branch. By an umbel we mean an inflorescence in which the stem or branch ends abruptly, giving rise to a large number of flower -stalks, the lengths of which are such that the flowers all occupy one level, and so form a flat, pancake-like, or convex, umbrella-like group (e.g. Figs. 6, 7). By a composite head we mean a close head of flowers surrounded by a number of greenish scales or leaves —
INTRODUCTION 13
the daisy shows this type. If we examine the so-called flower of the daisy, we find that it is made up of a great number of little flowers— those to the centre with a tubular, yellow corolla, stamens, and a seed-vessel ; those to the margin with a white, strap-shaped corolla, and a seed-vessel : while outside is a large number of green scales; these serve to distinguish this type from the simple head of a clover, which does not possess them. The centre part of the daisy flower-head is spoken of as the disc, the marginal part as the ray.
IDENTIFICATION OP A WILD FLOWER
Plants are grouped in families, in such a way as to bring together those which show a natural relationship to each other. As the characters on which this natural grouping rests are frequently obscure, it has been thought best to employ in this book an artificial arrangement, designed to enable the be- ginner to identify a strange plant by means of its more obvious characters. In the first place the plants dealt with are ar- ranged in ten colour groups. As considerable variation occurs in colour, and as the value placed by different people on a par- ticular colour shade is not always the same, it would be well if, for example, a purplish flower could not be found under purple, to try under pate purple.
As some of the groups are rather large, it has been found necessary to subdivide them. The method of working the classification employed may best be understood if we take a concrete example. Suppose we have found a specimen of the Greater Stitchwort. It is a white flower, so we turn to the table at the beginning of " White Flowers," and find that these are arranged in three groups. As the Stitchwort has neither composite-heads nor umbels, it must belong to group III ; here there are two sub-groups, in the second of which, B, it must be placed, as its leaves are quite simple : we then count the number of stamens, which we find to be ten, and so learn that it is among plants 55-65. It only remains for us to read over the descriptions of these, and to compare our plant with the illustrations, to determine which fits it properly, and so find its name to be Stellaria Holostea, the Greater Stitchwort.
With the aid of this book it will be found possible to identify a considerable number of our commoner or more striking wild plants ; but only about one sixth of the total number of British species is mentioned. If the interest of the reader carries him beyond the limits of these pages, and is sufficient to nerve him to face the difficulties of a more minute examination, and of a more extended technical vocabulary, we may conclude by ad-
14 WILD FLOWERS
vising him to turn his attention to one of the standard works on the subject. Of these two may be mentioned : — Babington's Manual of British Botany, 9th ed., and Bentham and Hooker's Handbook of the British Flora, 8th ed. As neither is illustrated, we might add, as a companion volume, Smith's Illustrations of the British Flora, 6th ed.
For general works on other branches of botany the list of books given in Dr. Marie Stopes' Modern Botany should be consulted.
WHITE FLOWERS, 1-50
I. Flowers grouped in Composite Heads .... 1-5
II. Flowers grouped in Umbels 6-15
III. Flowers grouped otherwise, or occurring singly . 16-50
A. Leaves compound, deeply cut, or lobed . . 16-25
B. Leaves quite simple, at most toothed . . 26-50
a. Stamens absent ...... 50
b. Stamens 2-4 in number . . . 26-32
c. Stamens 5-7 in number . 33-42, 44, 45, 48
d. Stamens 8 or more in number . . 43-50
1. Daisy, Bellis perenni*, Daisy family. The short horizontal underground stem bears rosettes of leaves, which are oval in shape, tapering to the base, and irregularly toothed : from among these arise several flower-stalks, each a few inches high
1. Common Daisy.
2. Millefoil.
and with a single flower-head : the disc is yellow, the ray white with pink tips : perhaps the commonest of our wild flowers, to be seen during the greater part of the year in grassy places : the flower-heads are very sensitive, closing in darkness and wet weather.
2. Millefoil, Yarrow, Achillea Millefolium^ Daisy family. A common and very pretty plant of meadows and pastures :
16 WILD FLOWERS
. the leaves are 3 to 4 ins. long and lance-shaped in outline, but they are deeply lobed, and the lobes are cut into fine seg- ments, so that the leaf has a dainty feather-like appearance :
3. Sneeze wort.
4. Ox-eye.
the stem is about 1 ft. high, and bears a flat head of small
flower-heads : flowers in summer.
3. Sneezewort, Achillea Ftarmica, Daisy family. Like the
preceding species, this is one of our common summer meadow plants: the flower-heads are somewhat larger but are gathered into the same flat inflorescence : the stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, and bears narrow lance-shaped leaves, with serrate margins, and a shiny surface.
4. Ox-eye, Chrysanthemum Leucanthe- mum, Daisy family. In hay-fields in summer the large flower-heads of the Ox-eye, with their broad white rays and yellow discs, are frequently abundant : the stem is 1 to 2 ft. high and bears only a few flower-heads : the leaves are dark green, glossy, serrate, and narrow to- wards the base. The Feverfew, a related species with numerous smaller heads, and compound leaves having lobed ovate leaf- lets, is found on waste ground.
5. Mayweed, Matricaria inodora,D'disy
family. A common weed in fields and waste places, flowering in late summer and autumn : the stem is about 1 ft. high and
WHITE FLOWERS
17
may be branched : the leaves are twice cut and the segments are very narrow, almost hair-like : the flower-heads are few in number, fairly large, with white ray and yellow disc : the plant has a scent resembling, but not so strong as, that of the related Chamumile.
6. Hemlock, Conium tnaculatum, Hemlock family. A plant of hedgerows and waste places : it is easily recognised by the fact that the stem (3 to 5 ft. high) is spotted with dull purple, and by its mouse-like smell : the whole plant is smooth, with a slight bloom : the leaves are large and doubly feather-com- pound : the secondary leaflets are deeply notched : the large
6. Hemlock.
7. Gout-weed.
white umbels are to be seen in summer : the plant is highly poisonous.
7. Gout-weed, Bishop's-weed, JBgopodiwm podagraria, Hem- lock family. The leaves of this plant often cover considerable areas in damp shady places, and it is frequently an annoying garden weed : the leaves are large and divided into three leaflets, each of which is again divided into three leaflets, these being ovate, serrate, and glossy-green: from among the leaves rises the flower stem, about 1 to 2 ft. high, with several smallish umbels of yellowish-white flowers : flowers in summer.
8. Burnet- Saxifrage, Pimpinella Saxifraga, Hemlock family. A common plant of pasture-land, flowering in autumn : from the base of the stem spring a few feather-compound leaves, with ovate, notched leaflets : the stem (1 to 2 ft. high) looks bare, as its few leaves are divided into narrow, notched
18
WILD FLOWERS
segments ; the stem bears several small umbels, which are white or tinged with red.
9. Pig-nut, Gonopodium denudatum, Hemlock family. The
8. Burnet-Saxifrage.
9. Pig-nut.
root is a single tuber which lies about 6 ins. underground, and is frequently dug up and eaten by children : the stem is slender,
10. Sweet Cicely.
11. Shepherd's Needle.
especially below, and about 1 ft. high, with a few rather small umbels: the leaves are doubly feather-compound, and the
WHITE FLOWERS 19
leaflets deeply notched, giving the plant a very graceful ap- pearance : flowers in early summer.
10. Sweet Cicely, Myrrhis Odorata, Hemlock family. The Myrrh of country children is fairly common on pastures and damp waste ground : it is a tall (3 ft.) handsome plant with large doubly or triply feather-compound leaves : the whole plant is soft with fine hairs : the umbels are large and cream- coloured : the fruits, as well as the leaves and stem, are
12. Wild Chervil.
13. Angelica.
aromatic and are eaten by children because of their pleasant flavour : flowers in early summer.
11. Shepherd's Needle, Scandix Pecten-Veneris, Hemlock family. The English name of this plant of the fields refers to the long (2 ins.) slender needle-like fruits, which are very striking after the flower has fallen : the stem is about 1 ft. high with long triply feather-compound, light green leaves, the segments of which are very narrow : the small umbels occur one or two together : flowers summer.
12. Wild Chervil, Anthriscus sylvestris, Hemlock family. One of our commonest hedgerow plants : it is coarse, with a rough, furrowed stem about 3 ft. high, and large, doubly feather-compound leaves, the leaflets of which are mucn notched : the umbels are large, and show well the special advantage of this type of inflorescence — the individual flowers are small and inconspicuous, but in the mass they form a very showy object: the effect is still further enhanced by the fact that the external petals of the external flowers are much
20 WILD FLOWERS
enlarged : flowers in spring and early summer. The Rough Chervil has less cut leaves and ribbed, instead of smooth, fruits.
13. Angelica, Angelica sylvestris, Hemlock family. A com- mon plant in damp shady places : the stem is smooth, tinged with purple, about 3 ft. high, and bears the large pinkish-white umbels and the leaves: these are large, smooth, doubly com- pound, with ovate, serrate leaflets : flowers in late summer. A related species cultivated in gardens and occasionally escaping was formerly used in medicine and is still employed in making confectionery.
14. Cow-parsnip, Hog-weed, Heracleum Sphondylium, Hemlock family. This coarse plant is a common weed of
14. Cow-parsnip.
15. Hedge Parsley.
banks and pastures : the stem is about 4 ft. high, and, as well as the leaves, is rough with coarse hairs : the leaves are very large and compound, the leaflets being deeply cut into serrate lobes : the umbels are large, creamy or tinged with red, and flower about mid-summer.
15. Hedge Parsley, Caucalis Anthriscus, Hemlock family. The slender stems are usually about 2 ft. high, and carry numerous small umbels of white or reddish flowers, opening in summer: the fruits are markedly prickly : the leaves are fine, doubly feather-compound, and with ovate, serrate leaflets : the plant is common on banks and in hedges.
16. Traveller's Joy, Old Man's Beard, Clematis Vitalba, Crowfoot family. One of the most familiar and beautiful denizens of the English hedgerows: the stem rambles over bushes and trees, often almost hiding the hedge : the leaves are
WHITE FLOWERS
21
opposite, feather-compound with ovate, coarsely serrate leaflets : the leaf stalk acts as a tendril, twisting round any convenient support, and so aiding the plant to climb : the flowers which appear in June, in small bunches, in the leaf axils are devoid of petals, and possess only 4 oval greyish sepals : in autumn the flowers are succeeded bv clusters of little seed-like fruits,
16. Traveller's Joy.
17. Wood Anemone.
each with a long feathery style, and to these the plant owes its chief claim to beauty.
17. Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa, Crowfoot family. A familiar plant in shady woods, flowering in spring : the stem is subterranean, and gives rise each year to 2 to 3 leaves, and a slender flower-stalk, which bears 3 leaves and a single flower : the leaves are deeply palm-divided into
3 to 5 notched segments : the flower is devoid of corolla, but the sepals are petal- like, generally white, but sometimes purple in colour.
18. Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus aquatilis, Crowfoot family. A large number of forms of Water Crowfoot, all resembling each other fairly closely, are to be found in our streams and ponds : all have submerged leaves, which are cut
into a number of very fine hair-like segments ; some have in addition less divided aerial leaves : the small flowers are pro- duced above the surface of the water ; the petals are white, except for a yellow spot on the inner side : flowers in summer. The Ivy -leaved Crowfoot is a form common in ditches, with leaves like those of the ivy.
19. White Climbing Fumitory, Corydalis claviculata, Fumi- tory family. A slender rambler, often attaining a length of 3 to 4 ft., and growing through and over bushes (especially
18. Water Crowfoot.
22 WILD FLOWERS
whin and bramble): the leaves are bright green and feather- compound, each leaflet being divided into three secondary leaflets ; the tip of the leaf is occupied by the delicate branched tendril, which enables the plant to climb : the flowers, which are small and cream-coloured, have a blunt spur
(projecting back, and occur in little groups of four or five in summer.
20. Water-Cress, Nasturtium officinale, Cress family. The Water-Cress is found everywhere in small streams of running water : the stein is usually 1 to 2 ft. long, rising out of the water at least at the tip, which bears a spike of small white flowers : the leaves are feather-compound, with ovate leaflets : the plant is much more slender if it grows out of water, but in suitable wet positions may be very luxuriant : flowers in summer.
21. Hairy Bitter-Cress, Cardamine hirsuta, Cress family. A common plant of moist meadows : it has a rosette of feather-
19. White Climbing Fumitory.
20. Water-Cress.
21. Hairy Bitter-Cress.
compound leaves, with roundish, toothed leaflets: from this rises the stem about 1 ft. high, with a few leaves and a spike of small white flowers : the hairy sepals distinguish it readily from land forms of the preceding species: flowera from spring to autumn : the Common Bitter-Cress is a larger species with large white flowers, which have conspicuous violet sta- mens.
WHITE FLOWERS 23
22. Shepherd's Purse, Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Cress family. Perhaps the commonest of our weeds, found in fields, gardens, roadsides, and woods, flowering almost all the year round : from
22. Shepherd's Purse.
23. Wood Sorrel.
the rosette of more or less deeply feather-cut leaves springs a stalk about 1 ft. high, with a spike of inconspicuous white flowers : the plant is most readily recognised by its fruits, which are little heart-shaped pouches with the notch turned outwards.
23. Wood Sorrel, Oxalis Acetosella, Wood Sorrel family. One of the prettiest of our woodland plants : there is a knotty underground stem, from the apex of which arise the slender leaf-stalks, each with a leaf composed of three heart- shaped leaflets, the base of the heart being turned away from the stalk: among the leaves there appear in early summer one or two flower-stalks, each with a delicate, drooping, bell-like flower, the white petals < of which are veined with purple: the leaves, which are occasionally used as a salad, have a pleasant acid flavour.
24. Dutch Clover, Trifolium repens, Vetch family. The stem is more or less prostrate, and gives off leaves on long
stalks ; these are divided into three serrate leaflets, and possess ovate stipules ; the flower stalks are longer than the leaves, in the axils of which they grow, and bear heads of cream-coloured
24. Dutch Clover.
24 WILD FLOWERS
flowers, which turn brown with age : the flowers have a fine aroma, and are much visited by bees for their honey : common in pastures and meadows, flowering throughout summer and autumn.
25. Meadow-Sweet, Spircea Ulmaria, Rose family. The " Queen-of-the-Meadow" is frequent in meadows and on river-
25. Meadow-Sweet
i. Great Bed-straw.
banks : the tall (2 to 3 ft.) stem bears handsome spikes, com- posed of many cream-coloured flowers, and large feather-com- pound leaves, with alternate pairs of large and small, serrate leaflets: stem and leaves alike have a reddish tinge : flowers throughout summer: very fra- grant.
26. Great Bed-straw, Galium Mollugo, Bed-straw family. The stem is long, branched, and scrambling amongst grass and bushes : it bears small, narrow leaves in whorls of 6 to 8 : the small white flowers are grouped in a large, loose, much-branched terminal brush : flowers in late summer.
27. Stone Bed-straw, Galium Saxatile, Bed-straw family. A small plant creep- ing amongst rocks and on short turf : the
stem is branched, and has whorls of a^out 6 small, sharply- pointed leaves : the small white flowers are grouped in loose, branched clusters at the ends of the flowering steins : flowers in late summer.
27. Stone Bed-straw.
WHITE FLOWERS
25
28. Goose-grass, Cleavers, Galium Aparine, Bed -straw family. The long weak stems scramble in thickets : they bear whorls of 6 to 8 leaves, in the axils of which may grow little clusters of small, yellowish-white flowers : the whole plant, especially the
28. Goose-grass.
'. Woodruff.
fruits, is clad with hooked bristles: these enable the plant to scramble the more securely, and the fruits to hang on to passing animals, and so become dispersed : flowers
in summer.
29. Woodruff, Asperula odorata, Bed- straw family. The erect stem is ^ to 1 ft. high, with whorls of about 6 to 8 stiff lance-shaped leaves : the small white flowers are gathered in loose terminal groups : the plant is very fragrant, especi- ally when dry : common in woods, flower- ing in early summer.
30. Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Vero- nica serpyllifolia, Fox-glove family. This little plant is a common weed in gardens, woods, and roadsides : the branched stem lies along the ground, and has pairs of smooth, oval leaves ; the terminal portion of each branch is, however, erect, and bears a single spike of flowers ; the flowers,
which are small and white, with delicate blue veins, appear throughout summer.
31. Eye-bright, Euphrasia officinalis, Foxglove family. A very variable little plant, common on heaths and pastures,
30. Thyme-leaved Speedwell.
26 WILD FLOWERS
where it flowers in summer : it may range from 1 to 8 'ins. in height, the stem being simple or slightly branched, and bearing pairs of ovate, serrate, sessile leaves : the flowers form a short, terminal spike : in colour they may be white, white veined with purple, or completely purple.
32. Wood-sage, Teucrium Scorodonia, Dead-nettle family. The stem is square and about 1 ft. high, with pairs of wrinkled,
81. Eye-bright.
32. Wood-sage.
ovate or heart-shaped leaves, the margins of which are bluntly serrate : the flowers are rather small, tubular, dirty-white in colour, and occur in two or three terminal spikes : the plant, which has an aromatic smell if crushed, flowers in late summer, and is common in dry woods and on banks.
33. Spring Whitlow-grass, Erophila verna, Cress family. This pretty little plant occurs in patches on walls and bare, dry banks, and in spring speckles them with the white of its starry flowers : the flower-stalks rise from a rosette of lance-
shaped, toothed leaves, and are either simple 33. Spring Whitlow-gras3.witf; ^ or ^ fl( p
several little spikes : each petal is deeply divided into two lobes : the plant is usually less than 2 ins. high, but may sometimes reach a height of about 4 ins.
34. Scurvy-grass, Cochlearia officinalis, Cress family. A plant of the sea-coast, flowering on grassy slopes, and in crevices
WHITE FLOWERS
27
of the cliffs, in spring and summer : the leaves are smooth and rather fleshy, those at the base of the stem being more or less heart-shaped, while the leaves of the flowering stems have no stalks, and tend to be arrow-shaped : the flowers occur in dense spikes : the plant was formerly used as a cure for and pre- ventive of scurvy by whalers and Arctic travellers.
35. Jack-by-the-Hedge, Sauce-alone, Sisymbrium A lliaria, Cress family. A tall plant (1 to 3 ft.) of hedges and damp woods : the stem is slender, with large, thin, light-green leaves, the upper heart- shaped and coarsely toothed, the lower more rounded : the small flowers are gathered in short spikes, and appear in early summer : " the plant smells of garlic when crushed.
36. Pepperwort, Lepidium Smithii, Cress family. A common weed of dry
banks, flowering in summer : the stem is £ to 1 ft. high, and is closely clad with arrow-shaped, sessile leaves : the lower leaves are narrowed into a stalk : the flowers are small
34. Scurvy-grass.
35. Jack-by-the-Hedge.
. Pepperwort.
and gathered in short thick spikes : the fruit is an ovate pouch with an apical notch : the plant is rough with hairs.
37. Penny-Cress, Thlaspi arvenst, Cress family. The stem, which is about 1 ft. high, is loosely clad with arrow-shaped
28 WILD FLOWERS
leaves : the small white flowers are gathered in loose spikes : the most notable feature is the fruit, which gives the plant its name ; it is a large disc-shaped pouch, with the centre swollen, and with an apical notch: a common field weed, flowering in summer.
38. Grass of Parnassus, Parnassia palustris, Saxifrage family. A very beautiful and not uncommon bog plant, flower- ing in autumn : it has a rosette of stalked heart-shaped leaves, from which rise the flowering stems : the leaves on the stems are sessile : the flowers are large and creamy white : the plant is about | ft. high, and is quite smooth.
39. Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, Sundew family. A little
37. Penny-Cress.
38. Grass of Parnassus.
bog plant, readily recognised by its rosette of round, stalked leaves, which are covered with small, red tentacles, and have a glistening appearance, as if spangled with dew : any insect which lights on the leaf is held by a sticky fluid, and the ten- tacles close over it, pouring on to it a digestive liquid, which enables the plant to absorb the nutritious part of its prey : the Sundew is thus insectivorous: the small, whitish flowers are born in little clusters on stalks, rising from the rosette in late summer.
40. Chickweed Wintergreen, Trientalis europcea, Primrose family. The stem is about 4 ins. high, and bears a single whorl of pointed leaves, oval in shape, but broadest towards the tip : from this spring several delicate flower-stalks, each with a fairly large, white, star-like flower : the plant is a very beautiful, but by no means common inhabitant of northern woods, flowering in early summer.
WHITE "FLOWERS 29
41. Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, Forget-me-not family. A tall (1 to 2 ft.) coarse plant, common in damp, shady places :
39. Sundew.
40. Chickweed Wintergreen.
the large lance-shaped leaves are continued down the stem in the form of prominent ridges : the flowers occur in small, drooping clusters in the leaf -axils : they are bell-shaped, usually
41. Comfrey.
42. Ramsons, Wild Garlic.
white, but sometimes purple, and appear in early summer : the whole plant is very rough with hairs.
42. Ramsons, Wild Garlic, A Ilium ursinum, Hyacinth family. From the subterranean bulb arise two large, soft, oval, pointed
so
WILD FLOWERS
leaves, and a long triangular flower-stalk, which bears a single umbel of large white flowers ; below these are two membranous leaves : the whole plant gives off a smell of garlic if crushed : it is fairly common in damp woods, often occurring in large patches : flowers in early summer.
43. Water-Lily, Castalia alba, Water- lily family. The most striking of our water plants : the large white flowers appear on the surface of the water in August : it is of interest to note that the petals pass gradually into the stamens : the seeds are liberated only when the fruit rots away : the leaves are large, floating, and rounded heart- shaped.
44. Mouse-ear, Cerastium vulgatum, Pink family. An insignificant little
weed of the garden, the field, and the roadside : the branches of the stem are mostly prostrate, but some rise from the ground, and these bear groups of small white flowers, the petals of which
43. Water-Lily.
44. Mouse-ear.
4"). Chickweed.
are almost hidden within the calyx: the leaves are in pairs, lance-shaped, and, like the whole plant, more or less downy : flowers almost the whole year through.
45. CMckweed, Stellaria media, Pink family. A common garden weed : the stem is much branched, and often reaches a considerable length, trailing on the ground : the leaves are in
WHITE FLOWERS
31
pairs, ovate and bright green : the flowers occur singly in the leaf axils, as well as in little groups at the tips of the stems ; they are small, and the petals, which are hidden in the calyx, are cleft in two almost to the base : flowers throughout the year.
46. Greater Stitchwort.
47. Pearlwort.
46. Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria Holostea, Pink family. A handsome, early summer plant : the weak stems, about 1 to 2 ft. long, generally grow in the rough grass of hedges and banks, which supports them : the leaves are in pairs, lance- shaped, drawn out, and rough ; flowers large, white, in terminal groups : the Lesser Stitchwort is a more slender plant flowering in summer : the Marsh Stitch- wort is found in wet places, and has quite small flowers.
47- Pearlwort, Sagina nodosa, Pink family. The steins occur in a group, are at first prostrate, and then rise to a height of 3 to 4 ins., bearing each 1 to 3 flowers : the flowers are large, delicate, and white : the leaves are short and narrow, and oc- cur 2 to 4 together on the stems : a fresh little plant, common in moist places, flowering in summer : it has one or two similar relatives, with inconspicuous flowers having only 4 stamens,
48. Spurrey, Spergula arvensis, Pink family. The stem is about 1 ft. high, with whorls of long narrow leaves, each with a
48. Spurrey.
32 WILD FLOWERS
furrow along its lower face : the flowers are of medium size, and are gathered in loose, leafless spikes at the end of the stems ; when the fruit is formed the flower-stalks bend down- wards : a common weed of cultivated land, flowering in summer, and emitting an evil stench, especially when wet with dew or rain : it occurs in two varieties, the commoner of which has frequently fewer stamens — often only 5.
49. Wintergreen, Pyrola minor, Heath family. The stem is prostrate for a short distance, and bears several rounded oval
49. Wintergreen.
50. Arrowhead.
leaves, then it bends sharply upwards, and ends in a slender spike of drooping flowers, almost globular in shape, and in colour white, with a shade of pink : a pretty summer flower, found in woods and heaths.
50. Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Water-plantain family. A plant of English ditches and rivers : the leaves rise from the water on long stalks, and are arrow-shaped: in the centre of these is the tall flower-stalk, with a spike of large, white flowers, some of which have only stamens, and others only seed-vessels : many leaves remain submerged, and these possess only long narrow stalks without blades : flowers in August.
YELLOW FLOWERS
33
YELLOW FLOWERS, 51-99
I. Flowers grouped in Composite Heads .... 51-65
II. Flowers grouped otherwise or occurring singly . . 66-99
A. Leaves compound, deeply cut, or lobed . 66-80
B. Leaves quite simple, at most toothed . 81-99
a. Stamens absent, or 3-4 in number 81-86
b. Stamens 5-6 in number . . 87-90
c. Stamens more than 6 in number . 91-99
51. Golden-rod, Solidago Virgaurea, Daisy family. The leaves are lance-shaped with serrate edges, dark green in colour, and borne on the angular branched stem : flower-heads small but numerous and gathered into a handsome, yellow, brush-like inflorescence : the plant is medium-sized, 1 to 2 ft. high, and
51. Goldeu-rod.
52. Corn-Marigold.
inclined to be bushy : it grows in thickets, flowering in late summer : the leaves were formerly much used for dressing wounds : foreign species are cultivated as the Golden-rods of the garden.
52. Corn-Marigold, Chrysanthemum segetum, Daisy family. The leaves are very smooth, and bright green, oblong in shape, but deeply notched : flower-heads large, with a conspicuous ray, and occurring singly : the plant is small, about 1 ft. nigh, and slightly branched : it occurs in corn-fields, where it flowers from
c
34 WILD FLOWERS
June to August : not originally a native in Britain, but now completely at home.
53. Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, Daisy family. The leaf is deeply feather-cut into slender segments ; these are again divided, and the segments so formed are serrate ; in consequence the whole leaf has a feathery appearance. The flower-heads are small, button-like, and have no ray : they occur in large, flat, umbel- like inflorescences : the plant is 2 to 3 ft. high, and has a hand- some appearance : it grows about roadsides and river-banks, and is cultivated in old gardens for the sake of its strong aroma.
53. Tansy.
51. Coltsfoot.
Tansy Tea, made from the leaves, was formerly a much used medicine.
54. Coltsfoot, Tussilago Farfara, Daisy family. This plant possesses an underground stem, which lives through the winter, and in March sends up a short stalk, clothed with small, pointed, reddish scales, with a single large, bright yellow flower- head: in early spring these are conspicuous and beautiful along roads, railways, and field-sides : the leaves only appear when the flower is over : they are large, roundish heart-shaped, with toothed margins: the under surface is covered with a white down : the leaf is still used as a substitute for tobacco, and is supposed to be a cure for colds.
55. Groundsel, Senecio vulgaris, Daisy family. The leaves are smooth and sometimes woolly, cut into blunt, toothed lobes : the flower-heads are small, somewhat egg-shaped, with- out a ray, and occur a few together at the apex of the stem : the
YELLOW FLOWERS 35
plant is a weed of cultivated land, and particularly of gardens : its only use is as a food for canaries : Senecio sylvaticus is a very similar plant, growing by roadsides: it may be distinguished by its sticky stem, woolly leaves, and by its disagreeable smell. 1 56. Ragwort, Senecio Jacobcea, Daisy family. A tall, coarse
55. Groundsel.
56. Ragwort.
plant which grows on commons and pastures : it is sometimes
called the Tansy, but is readily distinguished from that plant :
it has no aroma : its flower-heads have
a distinct ray, and are gathered into a
large and conspicuous head : the leaves
are deeply cut into toothed lobes, but
have not the feathery appearance of those
of Tanacetum : a handsome plant, but an
annoying weed : S. aquations is a similar
plant which grows in boggy situations.
57. Nipplewort. Lapsana communis, Daisy family. Tne lower leaves are lyre-shaped, with one large, ovate ter- minal looe and several pairs of smaller lobes : the stem is slender, about 2 ft. high, branched, and stem and leaves are slightly hairy: the flower-heads are small and gathered into a loose terminal g7 lewort.
inflorescence : the fruit has no pappus
(see Hypochceris) : the plant is common in shady places, where it flowers in late summer.
36
WILD FLOWERS
58. Hawk's-beard, Crepis virens, Daisy family. A slender branched plant of medium size, common in meadows, where it flowers in summer : the upper leaves are arrow-shaped, arid clasp the stem ; the lower are frequently cut into blunt segments, or they may only have large, narrow teeth : the leaves are all smooth : the flower-heads are smallish, and occur in a loose brush : C. paludosa is a larger-flowered species, with dandelion-like leaves, which grows in marshy ground.
59. Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Hieracium Pilosella^ Daisy family. The leaves form a rosette on the surface of the ground : they are oval and pointed, very hairy on both sides, and white underneath : the flower-heads are fairly large, and occur singly
58. Hawk's-beard.
59. Mouse-ear Hawkweed.
on the end of stalks 3 to 4 ins. high, several of which may rise from the centre of the rosette : the rosette also gives rise to leafy runners : the plant is common on dry sunny banks, and flowers all summer.
60. Hawkweed, Hieracium boreale, Daisy family. A tall (2 to 4 ft.), handsome plant, with large yellow flower-heads, gathered into a loose apical inflorescence : the stem is leafy and branched, the leaves toothed, ovate or lance-shaped, the upper sessile, the lower narrowed into a stalk : flowers about August, and is common in dry sunny situations : there is a very large number of different species of Hawkweedj many of which differ only slightly from each other.
61. Cat's-ear, Hypochceris radicata, Daisy family. The leaves form a rosette : they are oblong, with large, blunt teeth pointing backwards, and covered with short rough hairs ; the stem is about 1 ft. high, is branched, and has only very small leaves :
YELLOW FLOWERS
37
the flower-heads are large, and occur singly at the apices of the stem branches : like most other members of the daisy family, the little, seed-like fruits are crowned by a circle of fine hairs —
60. Hawkweed.
61. Cat's-ear.
the "pappus" — which represents the calyx of the flower : this pappus enables the fruit to remain long suspended in the air, so that it may be borne a considerable distance by the wind, and settle in a new position far from the parent plant : in the case of the Cat's-ear (and some others), the pappus is borne, not on the fruit itself, but on a slender beak situ- ated on the apex of the fruit : it has the appearance of a tiny umbrella : the Cat's-ear grows on waste ground, and flowers in July.
62. Hawkbit, Leontodon autumnalis, Daisy family. Closely resembles the Cat's-ear, but may be distinguished from it by the pappus, which rests on the fruit, and by the fact that the leaves are narrower, more deeply cut, and not so hairy : found in pastures and waste ground, flowering all summer.
63. Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale,
Daisy family. The leaves of this familiar meadow and road- side plant are long, pointed, bright glossy green, and have large teeth pointing backwards : they are arranged in a rosette
62. Hawkbit.
38
WILD FLOWERS
from which spring the hollow flower-stalks, each with its
single, large, bright yellow head : as conspicuous as the flower- head is the fruiting-head, which suc- ceeds it : each little seed-like fruit is pro- vided with an umbrella-like pappus, and the whole head — the material of a familiar game in every country — is a dainty ball of plumes.
64. SowtMstle, Sonchus oleraceus, Daisy family. A tall, coarse plant, with a thick, somewhat branched stem : little bunches of the large, bright yellow flower-heads are borne about the tips of the branches : the leaves and stem have a strikingly glossy, dark-green appearance : the upper leaves are arrow- shaped, sharply toothed, and clasp the
stem : the lower leaves may be lobed : flowers in summer, being
abundant on waste ground. 65. Goafs-beard, Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, Tragopogon pra-
tense, Daisy family. The leaves are long, narrow, and sharply
63. Dandelion,
64. Sowthistle.
65. Goafs-beard, J ack-go-to-bed-at-Ncon.
pointed : the stem is about 18 ins. high, and is branched : at the tips of the branches are borne the large, yellow flower-heads, which only open in the early morning, closing about eleven o'clock : the pappus (see Hypochceris) is very conspicuous, and is borne on. the end of a long beak : common in pastures, flowering in June.
YELLOW FLOWERS 39
66. Upright Crowfoot, Buttercup, Ranunculus acris, Crow- foot family. The bright yellow flowers of the Buttercup are familiar in all meadows : they appear in summer on stems 1 to 2 ft, high : most of the leaves grow on long stalks from
66. Upright Crowfoot, Buttercup.
67. Greater Celandine
near the root : they are hairy and deeply palm-divided, the segments being also cut : the flower-stalks are not furrowed.
There are several related species which are quite common : the Creeping Crowfoot with a furrowed flower-stalk, and sending out runners : the Bulbous Crowfoot with the sepals bent sharply back, and the base of the stein much swollen: Goldilocks, common in woods, distinguished from the others by the fact that there is no little scale inside the petals at their base : the Corn Crow- foot in corn-fields with spiny seed-vessels.
67. Greater Celandine, Chelidonium majus, Poppy family. The stem is tall, branched, and leafy : the leaves are fairly large and deeply lobed : the flowers are small, and the fruits long and pod-like : the plant is common in shady waste places, and is peculiar in possessing a thick juice, which is bright orange in colour : flowers in summer.
68. Yellow Rocket, Barbarea vulgarly Cress family. The stem is 1 to 2 ft.
high, and may be slightly branched : the leaves are feather- lobed, lyre-shaped, and dark, glossy green : the flowers are small, yellow, and borne in crowded spikes at the ends of the
68. Yellow Rocket.
40
WILD FLOWERS
branches; the fruits are long slender pods containing many seeds: a common weed of waste places and cultivated fields, flowering throughout summer.
69. Charlock, Brassica arvensis, Cress family. This "wild mustard" is an exceedingly common weed in corn-fields: it
69. Charlock.
70. Mignonette.
flowers in summer, when the corn is still green, and sometimes turns whole fields into a mass of gold : the stem is about Ij ft. high : the upper leaves are ovate, notched, and sessile ; the lower have stalks and are feather-lobed : the flowers occur in terminal spikes : the pods are knotty.
70. Mignonette, Reseda lutea, Mignon- ette family. The wild Mignonette is not unlike the garden sort, but it is odour- less : the stem is taller, and the flowers are yellow with a greenish tinge : they are borne in spikes at the end of the leafy stem : the leaves are much cut, and are smooth : the seed-vessel is peculiar as it is always open : the Weld is a close relative ; it is a taller, coarser plant with green flowers ; both plants are common on waste ground, flowering in summer. t 71. Black Medick, Medicago lupulina, Pea family. Many tiny yellow flowers are gathered in little oval heads, borne on short stalks along the stem : the leaves have 3 leaflets, which
71. Black Medick.
YELLOW FLOWERS
41
72. Meiilot.
are toothed : stipules small, toothed : the fruit is a little, curved pod, green at first, then black : the teeth of the calyx are equal in length : the plrnt is quite small, and trails along the ground : common on waste ground, flowering throughout the summer.
72. Meiilot, Melilotus officinalis, Pea family. The stems are erect 2 to 3 ft. high : the leaves have 3 elliptical, serrate leaflets, and small, sharply- pointed stipules : the flowers are small, and borne in long slender spikes, in the leaf axils, on the upper part of the stems : the plant is common in dry pastures, flowering in summer : it has a delightful, sweet, aromatic odour, espe- cially when dry, and is used in flavouring gruyere cheese.
73. Hop Trefoil, Trifolium procum- "bens, Pea family. The flowers are crowded into little stalked heads of about 40 : the leaves have 3 leaflets : the stem is trailing : 2 of the calyx teeth are
much shorter than the other 3 : the stipules are entire : common about roadsides and other dry places, flowering in summer : the Lesser Trefoil is a smaller species with only about a dozen flowers in the heads, and resembles the Medick, from which it may be distinguished by the character of the pod, which remains hidden within the withered corolla.
74. Lady's Finger, Kidney Vetch, Anthyllis Vulneraria, Pea family. Several short (6 to 12 ins.) stems rise close together from the root : the feather-compound leaves have 7 to 11 leaflets, and are soft with hairs : the pale-yellow flowers are gathered in heads, 2 heads always stand- ing together at the tip of a branch : common on dry banks, flowering in sum- mer : the leaves were formerly used for dressing wounds.
75. Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, Pea family. Another creeping plant, with orange-yellow flowers gathered in heads : the flowers are, however, large, and only 5 to 10 occur in a head : the stalk which bears the head is long and slender : the pod is long and narrow : the leaves have 3 leaflets, but appear to have 5, because the stipulei are large and resemble
73. Hop Trefoil.
42 WILD FLOWERS
leaflets : the leaflets are sharply pointed : the plant is common in dry pastures, flowers in summer, and has a pleasant odour.
76. Meadow Vetchling, Lathyrus pratensis, Pea family. The stem may be a yard long, and rambles over the banks on which the plant grows : the leaves have 2 lance-shaped leaflets, and 2 fairly large stipules : the tip of the leaf is converted into a delicate branched tendril, which aids the plant in climbing: the flowers occur several together in loose heads, borne on long stalks, in the leaf axils : flowers in late summer.
77. Wood Ayens, Geum urbanum, Rose family. The stem is about 2 ft. high, and is branched : the small vellow flowers
74. Lady's Finger, Kidney Vetch.
75. Bird's-foot Trefoil.
occur singly about the tips of the branches : the leaves are lyre- shaped ; leaflets serrate ; stipules prominent. The little seed-like fruit, when ripe, is provided with a hooked spine, by which it becomes attached to passing animals, and is carried oft' to a new situation : it is common in woods and thickets, flowering in summer.
78. Tormentil, Potentilla sylvestris, Rose family. The stem is trailing, and arises from a woody stock : the leaves are palm- compound, the upper sessile, the lower stalked ; leaflets serrate ; stipules prominent : the flowers are small, with slender stalks, ana stand singly in the leaf axils: common on dry banks, flowering in summer: the woody stock has been used in medicine, and for dyeing.
79. Silver- weed, Potentilla Anserina, Rose family. The stem is creeping, and bears leather-compound leaves, with many
YELLOW FLOWERS 43
serrate leaflets ; these are not all of one size, smaller alternate with larger: the leaves are of a silvery white colour beneath: the flowers are large, and occur singly : the plant is a common
76. Meadbw Vetchling.
77. Wood Avens.
weed of roadsides, flowering in early summer : the root is used as food by swine.
80. Agrimony, Agrimonia Eupatoria, Rose family. The stem
78. Tormentil.
79. Silver-weed.
is erect and of medium height : the feather-compound leaves have about 7 large leaflets, and a number of intermediate small ones : leaflets are sharply serrate and hairy : the flowers
44
WILD FLOWERS
are small, and pale yellow, and are borne on a long slender ter- minal spike : the plant grows on dry sunny banks and fields, and flowers in summer : formerly used for medicinal purposes. A. odorata, a similar plant with a fragrant odour, is much rarer.
81. Crosswort, Galium cruciata, Bed-straw family. The stem is 1 to 2 ft. long, and is somewhat weak, so that the plant tends to trail in the coarse grass or bushes amongst which it grows : the leaves are numerous, and are arranged in whorls of 4 ; they are oval and hairy : in the axils of the upper whorls are groups of flowers : the flower is small, pale yellow, and shaped like a four-rayed star : flowers in spring and early summer
82. Yellow Bed-straw, Galium verum, Bed-straw family. The stem is erect, about 1 to 1| ft. high : the leaves are
80. Agrimony.
81. Crosswort.
numerous, and occur in whorls of about 8 : they are very narrow, needle-shaped, and dark, glossy green : the flowers are like those of the Crosswort, but are bright yellow, and occur in a conspicuous, crowded brush at the end of the stem, giving the plant a striking appearance on the dry banks and turfy places, where it flowers in summer.
83. Yellow Toad-flax, Linaria vulgaris, Foxglove family. The stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, clad with dark, smooth, narrow leaves, and ending in a handsome spike of flowers : the flowers are large and yellow with an orange spot : the corolla is in one piece, with 2 lips, the lower lip being pursed up so as to close the opening : it is provided with a honey-containing spur behind : found on gravelly soil, flowering in summer.
84. Musk, Mimulus Langsdorfii, Foxglove family. This plant is found commonly on the margins of ponds and ditches : it
YELLOW FLOWERS 45
has a thick stem 1 to 2 ft. high, which bears large, smooth, ovate leaves with serrate edges : the flowers are large, bright yellow, and occur at the tip of the stem : the plant is a native
82. Yellow Bed-straw.
83. Yellow Toad-flax.
of America, but is now quite acclimatised and widely spread in this country ; it flowers throughout summer. 85. Yellow Rattle, Rhinanthus Crista-galli, Foxglove family.
84. Musk.
85. Yellow Rattle.
The stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, and bears many pairs of lance-shaped, sharply serrate leaves : the flowers are in a loose terminal spike : the yellow corolla protrudes only slightly from the bladder-like
46
WILD FLOWERS
calyx : the plant is common in pastures, flowering in summer, and is interesting because it attaches its roots to those of grasses, and draws nourishment from these.
86. Spotted Hemp-nettle, Gakopsis versicolor, Dead-nettle
86. Spotted Hemp-nettle.
87. Primrose.
family. This is one of the most striking weeds of cultivated ground, being specially abundant in potato and turnip fields : it is at once distinguished by its tall (2 to 3 ft. high), square, branched stem, and its large yellow, purple-spotted flowers, with their 2-lipped corollas: the leaves are ovate, with a narrow point and serrate margin, and are borne in pairs : flowers in autumn.
87. Primrose, Primula vulgaris, Prim- rose family. The primrose is one of our most typical spring flowers: it is to be found in all sorts of positions, from dry sunny banks to damp woods, flowering as 1 early as March: the oblong, wrinkled leaves form a rosette on the ground, from which rise the flower-stalks, each with a single flower : the flowers are of two kinds : in one, called thrum-eyed, the little bunch 88. Loosestrife. of 5 stamens appears in the opening of
the salver-shaped corolla: in the other,
the pin-eyed, found on a different plant, the opening is closed by thepinhead-like stigma : this is an adaptation to secure cross-
YELLOW FLOWERS
47
89. Yellow Pimpernel.
fertilisation, as the part of an insect which touches the stamens of the one kind of flower will touch the stigma of the other kind only : Primula veris, the Cowslip, has a little bunch of smaller and darker yellow stalked flowers at the tip of a common stem.
88. Loosestrife, Lysimachia vulgarly Primrose family. A tall plant, 2 to 3 ft. high, flowering on stream banks in July : the leaves are large, ovate, and borne in groups of 2 to 3 to 4 : the yello\v iluwers occur in a dense terminal pyramid.
89. Yellow Pimpernel, Lysimachia nemorum. Primrose family. A little creeping plant found in
damp woods : the stem Dears pairs of glossy, ovate leaves, from the axils of which spring slender stalks, each with a single small, starry, yellow flower, later on replaced by a globular seed-vessel. L. Nummularia, the Moneywort, grows in similar situations : its leaves are broader, and its flowers, on shorter stalks, are much larger ; altogether a more striking species : both flower in summer.
90. Bog - Asphodel, Narthecium ossi- fragum, Hyacinth family. A pretty little plant about 6 ins. high, common in peat- bogs, flowering in summer : the single stem bears a spike of golden yellow flowers and a few short leaves : from the lower
part of the stem spring groups of grass- like sword-shaped leaves.
91. Lesser Spearwort, Ranunculus Flammula, Crowfoot family. Growing in wet places along the margins of streams and lakes, the Spearwort has an upright stem, about 1 to 1J ft. high, bearing leaves, the lower ovate, the upper quite narrow; they are entire, and smooth: the flowers are few in number, bright yellow, and about \ in. across : the juice of the plant acts as a strong irritant on the skin : flowers in summer : the Greater Spearwort is a rarer plant, with much larger flowers.
92. Lesser^ Celandine, Ranunculus Ficaria, Crowfoot family. This beauti- ful spring flower carpets the forest floor
with golden flowers in March and April, and with glossy green leaves in early summer: the leaves are roundish, heart-shaped, stalked, and in a rosette, from which rise the flower-stalks, each
90. Bog- Asphodel.
48 WILD FLOWERS
with a single bright yellow flower: the roots, which persist during winter, are tuberous, and carry a store of food, thus enabling the plant to produce flowers and leaves early in the year.
93. Marsh- Marigold, Caltha palustris, Crowfoot family. The
91. Lesser Spearwort.
92. Lesser Celandine.
large yellow flowers of this handsome plant appear in spring, borne at the tip of the hollow stem : the plant is frequent in marshes and ditches : the leaves are rounded heart-shaped and
93. Marsh-Marigold.
94. Yellow Water-Lily, Brandy- Bottle.
dark glossy green: there is no corolla, the calyx taking its
P94." Yellow Water-Lily, Brandy-Bottle, Nymphasa , lutea, Water-lily family. The leaves are elongated, heart-shaped they are unwettable, and float on the surface of the water,
YELLOW FLOWERS 49
while the plant roots in the mud below : the flowers appear in July, and are large, with a smell like brandy : the seecf-vessel is urn-shaped.
95. Rock-Rose, Helianthemum Chamcecistus, Rock-rose family. This is a common plant on dry banks and pastures : it is small, low-growing, and somewhat shrub- by : the stems bear pairs of small, oval,
slightly hairy leaves, with stipules, and a few large, bright yellow flowers, with fragile petals: flowers in summer and autumn.
96. St. 'John's Wort, Hypericum pul- chrum, St. John's Wort family. The loose spikes of the small yellow flowers, with reddish buds and stamens, are a common feature of our heaths and hedges in summer : the slender stem may be slightly branched, and has pairs of small,
sessile, heart-shaped leaves : the small black dots on the petals and sepals are glands : several other species, all with spikes of yellow flowers, but differing in various respects, are common.
95. Rock-Rose.
96. St. John's Wort.
97. Petty Whin.
97. Petty Whin, Genista anglica, Vetch family. On heather moors, in moist but not boggy positions, the Petty Whin is fre- quently found : it is a little plant with a trailing, slightly branched stem : the leaves are small and ovate, and, besides these,
D
50
WILD FLOWERS
the stem bears slender compound thorns, which are modified branches : the flowers are fairly large, occurring in loose clusters in early summer : the pods are much swollen when ripe. G. tinctoria, a less common species, without thorns and with elliptic leaves, goes by the name of Dyer's-weed, as it yields a yellow dye.
98. Furze, Gorse, Whin, Ulex europceus, Vetch family. The Whin is very common on heaths, pastures, and waste places, and lends a note of colour to the country- side in the early months of the year, when it begins to flower : the leaves and many of the branches are reduced to the char- acteristic spines — this at the same time preventing loss of much water, and pro- tecting the shrub from browsing animals :
Furze, Gorse, Whin.
Wall-Pepper, Biting Stouecrop.
the large yellow flowers and their peculiar fragrance are familiar to all.
99. Wall-Pepper, Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre, Stone- crop family. This little plant is common in dry rocky places : in such situations it is exposed to great drought, but its little, cylindrical, fleshy leaves act as water-stores, and only dry up with great difficulty : if chewed they have a flavour of pepper : the flowers are star-like and yellow, appearing in summer.
ROSE FLOWERS
51
ROSE FLOWERS, 100-116
A. Leaves compound, deeply cut, or lobed . . 100-104
B. Leaves quite simple, at most toothed . . 105-116
100. Fumitory, Fumaria officinalis, Fumitory family. A common weed of cultivated land : the stem is low, weak, and much branched, so that the plant has a
bushy appearance : the leaves are bright green, and twice compound : the flowers, which are small ana gathered in little spikes at the ends of the branches, have a little spur, so that they appear to be fixed sideways on the stalk : the tips of the petals are often darker than the rest of the flower : flowers throughout the summer.
101. Rest-harrow, Ononis repens, Vetch family. The prostrate, branched, and often somewhat woody stem grows along the sand and turf of dunes and
similar barren situations : the leaves are compound, with 3 leaf- lets, and usually the plant is provided with a few spines ; the
•3?
I c Q7
101. Rest- Harrow.
102. Water-Avens.
flowers, which occur singly in the leaf-axils, are fairly large, and
rose-pink, veined with crimson ; they appear throughout summer.
102. Water Avens, (Jeum rivale, Rose family. Stem is 1 to
52 WILD FLOWERS
1J ft. high: the leaves are feather-compound, with 1 large terminal leaflet, and several pairs of smaller ones : at the apex of the stem are borne a few flowers : these are large, drooping, and in colour rose, tinged with brown ; they open in summer • the whole plant is hairy, the fruits are distributed by small animals, to which they become attached by a hooked bristle : a plant of damp meadows.
103. Buckbean, Menyanthestrifoliata, Gentian family. A very beautiful plant of boggy ground : the thick round stem generally lies under water, and gives off the leaves, which have long stalks, and 3 serrate oval leaflets, and the flower- stalk, at the apex of which is a spike of large, pale rose flowers : the inner side of the petals is covered with delicate white hairs : flowers in early summer.
104. Red Battle, Pedicularis sylvatica, Foxglove family. A little plant (4 to 6 ins.) of moist woods and heaths : the stem branches at the base, and the pros- trate branches rise at the tips, holding up short spikes of large rose-coloured flowers : the leaves are deeply cut into many notched segments : flowers in summer : the Lousewort (P. palus-
103. Buckbean.
104. Red Rattle.
105. Maiden Pink.
tris) is a similar but larger and more erect plant, with brighter flowers, common in bogs.
105. Maiden Pink, Dianthus deltoides, Pink family. A very beautiful but rather rare little plant, of dry turfy ground : the stem is much branched below, and bears many pairs of small, narrow leaves : the flowers are fairly large, of exactly the form
ROSE FLOWERS
,53
of our single garden pinks, bright rose-coloured, with a darker " eye," ana scentless : flowers in summer and autumn.
106. Bagged Robin, Lychnis Flos-ciwuli, Pink family. The tall slender stems and spikes of large pink flowers of this plant are common and beautiful objects on marshy ground : the leaves occur in pairs, and are lance-shaped, the lower ones narrowed towards the base : the edges of the petals are cut into a fringe, giving jthe flower its " ragged " appearance : the stem is sticky : flowers in early summer.
107. Cat's-foot, Mountain Everlasting, Antennaria dioica, Daisy family. The little creeping stem bears many small oval
106. Ragged Robin.
107. Cat's-Foot, Mountain Everlasting.
leaves, broadest towards the tip, shiny above, and silvery with hairs on the lower surface: from it arises a simple flowering stem, about 4 to 6 ins. high, with 4 to 5 small flower-heads, pale rose or white in colour: common on heaths, flowering in summer.
108. Cross-leaved Heath, Erica Tetralix, Heath family. A common plant of boggy heaths, flowering in late summer and autumn : it is most readily distinguished from the other common heaths by its drooping cluster of large, egg-shaped, pale rose flowers : the stem is 6 to 8 ins. high, and bears many whorls of 4 small, narrow, hairy leaves, and at its apex the drooping cluster of flowers.
109. Thrift, Sea-daisy, Statice maritima, Thrift family. A common plant of grassy slopes and clefts of rocks near the sea : the woody stock gives rise to a tuft of grass-like but rather fleshy leaves, and to one or more flower-stalks : the flower-stalk
54 WILD FLOWERS
is 6 to 8 ins. high, and bears a single globular head of rose flowers : flowers from spring to autumn.
110. Centaury, Erythrcea Centaurium, Gentian family. The stem is about a foot high, and is square, bearing pairs of smooth elliptical leaves : towards the apex it is slightly branched, and has a large, flat brush of bright rose-coloured flowers, individually small, but making a handsome show in the mass : flowers in late summer, and not uncommon on dry waste ground and pastures : E. littoralis is a similar, but smaller and rarer plant, growing by the sea.
111. Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, Bindweed family. The stein is slender, and twines through grass and hedges : the
108. Cross-leaved Heath.
109. Thrift, Sea -Daisy.
leaves are halbert-shaped and stalked : the flowers are large, shaped like an open bell, in colour white, variegated with pink : flowers in summer. C. sepium9 the Great Bindweed, has very large white flowers and arrow-shaped leaves : C. Soldanella, the Sea Bindweed, is less common : it has fleshy, kidney-shaped leaves and handsome pink and yellow flowers.
112. Knot-Grass, Polygonum aviculare, Dock family. A very common weed of cultivated and waste ground : the long, branched, creeping stems bear many small elliptical leaves, each with a membranous sheath at the base : in the axils of the leaves are little groups of small pink flowers, tinged with green : flowers from spring to autumn.
113. Spotted Persicaria, Polygonum Persicaria, Dock family. A common weed of cultivated laud : the stem is about 1 ft.
ROSE FLOWERS 55
high and generally somewhat prostrate: the leaves are fairly large, lance-shaped, provided with a fringed sheath, smooth,
110. Centaury. 111. Bindweed.
dark green, and often spotted with dark brownish purple : the flowers are arranged in close spikes, in the leaf axils and at the
112. Knot-Grass. 113. Spotted Persicaria.
apex of the stem ; they are pale rose-coloured, appearing in summer and autumn.
114. Amphibious Persicaria, Polygonum amphibium, Dock family. This plant is an inhabitant of ponds and ditches, and
56
WILD FLOWERS
according as it grows actually in the water or only along the water's edge, it produces different types of leaves : in the water
114. Amphibious Persicaria.
115. Water-Plantain.
the leaves are oblong, dark glossy green, and unwettable, so that they float on the surface : on land they are lance-shaped, lighter green, and slightly hairy : the flowers are pale rose, and gathered in close ter- minal spikes; they appear in late summer and autumn.
115. Water-Plantain, Alisma Plan- tago-aquatica, Water- Plantain family. A plant of the boggy margins of ponds and lakes, flowering in late summer : the tall, slender stem bears a large, loose brush of small, pale rose-flowers: the leaves are large, ovate or lance-shaped, with long stalks, but any growing under water are quite narrow.
116. Flowering-Rush, Butomus umbel- latus, Water-Plantain family. A very beautiful inhabitant of the margins of ponds and slow streams : the stem is short, horizontal, and roots in the mud :
116. Flowering-Rush. it sends up a number of long, narrow leaves, and in summer a tall flowering- stem (2 to 3 ft.), with a single, terminal umbel of large rose- flowers.
RED FLOWERS
57
RED FLOWERS, 117-121
117. Poppy, Corn-Rose, Papaver Rheeas, Poppy family. Stem 1 to 2 ft. high, rough with hairs : the leaves are oval and deeply feather-divided into notched segments : the flowers are large, with 4 scarlet petals, the bases of which are black : the seed-vessel is roundish and smooth : common in corn-fields, flowering in summer. P. Argemone, the Prickly-headed Poppy, is
117. Poppy, Corn-Rose.
118. Purple Clover.
also fairly common : it has smaller, paler flowers, and long seed- vessels, covered with stiff hairs.
118. Purple Clover, Trifolium pratense, Vetch family. The stem is prostrate at the base, and then rises to a height of about 1 ft., bearing dense, oval heads of many, deep crimson, almost purple flowers : the leaves are compound, with 3 oval leaflets, and are provided with stipules : common in fields and pastures, and very frequently cultivated as a fodder plant: flowers throughout summer.
119. Marsh Cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, Eose family. A common marsh plant : the stem rises from the water : the leaves are feather-compound with 5 to 7 elliptical, serrate leaflets, and have stipules : the flowers are large, occurring in small groups at the tip of the stem, and are deep crimson -brown, or with a purple tinge, in colour : flowers in August.
58
WILD FLOWERS
120. Scarlet Pimpernel, Poor Man's Weather-Glass, Ana- gallis arvensis, Primrose family. The stem is branched, lying
119. Marsh Cinquefoil.
120. Scarlet Pimpernel, Poor Man's Weather-Glass.
along the ground, and rising at the tips : the leaves are in pairs,
sessile, and ovate in shape : the iiowers arise singly on slender stalks from the leaf axils; they are small, star-like, and bright scarlet : a weed of dry, sandy soil, flowering in summer : this pretty little plant owes its second English name to the fact that the flowers close up in damp weather.
121. Sheep's Sorrel, Rumex Aceto- sella, Dock family. A weed, the occur- rence of which in abundance is a sure indication of poor soil : it is readily recognised by its leaves, which are smooth, bright green,and halbert-shaped : the flowers are small and inconspicuous, but gathered in a branched spike at the end of the stem (9 ins. high) they make a bright show of crimson variegated with green. R. Acetosa, the Sorrel, or
Kourock, has arrow-shaped leaves of a pleasant acid flavour
much appreciated by children.
121. Sheep's Sorrel.
PALE PURPLE FLOWERS
PALE PURPLE FLOWERS, 122-138
A. Leaves compound, deeply cut, or lobed . . 122—126
B. Leaves quite simple, at most toothed . . . 127-138
122. Cuckoo-Flower, Lady's Smock, Cardamine pratensis, Cress family. A conspicuous spring flower, of moist meadows : the stem is 1 to 1^ ft. high, and is crowned by a loose bunch of large lilac flowers : the leaves are feather-compound : the leaflets of the lower leaves are roundish, of the upper, lance-shaped : as the English name would indicate, it flowers when the call of the cuckoo is heard.
123. Sea-Rocket, Cakile maritima, Cress family. A curious little plant found on sandy sea-shores quite close to the high-
122. Cuckoo-Flower, Lady's Smock.
123. Sea-Rocket.
water mark : the stem, which is usually less than 1 ft. high, is branched, and at the apex of each branch is a spike of fairly large, pale purple flowers : the leaves are cut deeply into lobes, and, as is often the case in seaside plants, are fat and fleshy : the fruit is a little pod, jointed in the middle ; when it is ripe the top joint falls off : flowers in summer.
124. Stork's-bill, Erodium cicutarium, Crane's-bill family. The stem lies along the sandy ground, on which the plant usually grows, and produces pairs of feather- compound leaves : the leaflets are in turn deeply cut into notched segments : the flower-stalks bear little umbels of pale purple flowers: the beaks of the ripe fruits show peculiar twisting movements when drying up, and help to scatter the seeds: flowers in summer and autumn.
60
WILD FLOWERS
125. Valerian, Valeriana officinalis, Valerian family. A handsome plant of stream sides and other damp places: it is readily picked out, even when not in flower, by the appearance of the leaves : they are feather-compound, with lance-shaped serrate leaflets, and in colour a curious greyish green, with a tinge of pink : the pale purple flowers are produced in large umbels at the end of the tall (2 to 4 ft.) stem, in summer : the seeds have little hairy floats.
126. Field Scabious, Scabiosa arvensis, Scabious family. A tall (2 to 3 ft.) plant of the fields and hedges, flowering in late
124. Stork's-bill.
125. Valerian.
summer : the leaves are lance-shaped and deeply notched, the upper more so than the lower : the flowers are gathered in large, pale purple composite heads.
127. Marsh Violet, Viola palustris, Violet family. In marshes, in spring, may be found the small, pale purple flowers of this little plant : the petals are streaked with lines of darker colour : the leaves are rounded heart-shaped.
128. Willow Herb, Epilolium montanum, Willow herb family. The stem is generally about 1 ft. high : it bears pairs of smooth, broad, lance-shaped, serrate leaves, with quite short stalks : at the apex is a spike of small pale purple flowers with 4 petals, and apparently situated on long stalks, which are in reality the seed- vessels : when ripe these open and set free dozens of tiny seeds, each with a little hairy float, by means of which they may be blown to a considerable distance by the wind : the plant is common
PALE PURPLE FLOWERS
61
but inconspicuous, in dry shady places, where it flowers in summer: it has several close relations, some of which prefer stream sides, and which differ from it in the shape of the leaves and other minor points.
129. Marsh Pennywort, Hydroco- tyle vulgaris, Hemlock family. This member of the hemlock family is strik- ingly different from all those de- scribed under " white " flowers : it is
126. Field Scabious.
127. Marsh Violet.
found in marshy places, and has a slender creeping stem : at regular intervals this sends a little bunch of roots into the soil, and 2 to 5 leaves up to the air : the leaves have long stalks
128. Willow Herb.
129. Marsh Pennywort.
joined to the middle of the lower surface, and are circular : amongst the leaves are produced in summer little stalked heads of pale purple flowers.
62 WILD FLOWERS
130. Field Madder, Sherardia arvensis, Bed-straw family. A pretty little plant of dry fields, flowering in summer : the stem is lowly, and much branched : the leaves are lance-shaped, pointed, and occur in whorls of 6 : at the tips of the branches are little groups of small, starry, lilac flowers.
131. Butterbur, Petasites officinalis, Daisy family. In April the Butterbur sends up a thick flower-stalk, with a large hand- some spike of purplish flower-heads : only when these are over do the leaves appear ; they are rounded heart-shaped, with scalloped edges, and, when they have attained their full size, may measure a yard across ; the under surface is white with down : not uncommon along stream sides and on marshy ground.
130. Field Madder.
131. Butterbur.
132. Scottish Heather, Ling, Calluna vulgaris, Heath family. Familiar to all is this inhabitant of the dry moors, which so transforms miles of mountain country, when its pale purple flowers appear in late summer : in size it varies from a little shrub a few inches high to a large bush of 2 ft. and more : the leaves are small, almost scale-like, and arranged in 4 rows on the stem : the flowers are in fine terminal spikes : the pure white variety is quite rare, but may be recognised even at a distance by its paler, bright green leaves.
133. Field Gentian, Gentiana campestris, Gentian family. A little plant of dry heaths and grassy places on the hills, flowering in autumn : the stem is usually about 6 ins. high, and often branched : the leaves are in pairs, smooth, and broadly lance- shaped : the flowers are fairly large, tubular, pale lilac, and occur in groups at the tip of the stem. G. Amarella, the Felwort,
PALE PURPLE FLOWERS
63
is distinguished by having 5 petals instead of 4. G. Pneumon- anthe is a much more beautiful English plant, with large deep- blue flowers.
134. Capitate Mint, Meniha aquatica, Dead-nettle family. The stem is about 1£ to 2 ft. high, and bears pairs of hairy, ovate, serrate leaves on short stalks : in the axils of the upper- most leaves are large, dense, globular clusters of small, pale purple flowers, and the tip of the stem is occupied by a similar cluster : the plant is common in damp situations, flowering in late summer : M. arvensis, the Corn Mint, is a smaller plant,
132. Scottish Heather, Ling.
133. Field Gentian.
common in corn-fields, with the apical cluster wanting. M. Pulegium, the Pennyroyal, is a prostrate, much branched plant, with small leaves, and many clusters of flowers. The mints are all fragrant.
135. Hemp-Nettle, Galeopsis Tetrahit, Dead-nettle family. A tall (1 to 2 ft.) coarse weed of cultivated land : the branched stem is square, and bears pairs of ovate, serrate leaves with long points : the flowers are small, with a 2-lipped, pale purple corolla, and occur in little clusters in the axils of the upper leaves, in late summer and autumn.
136. Red Dead-Nettie, Lamium purpureum, Dead-nettle family. One of the commonest weeds of gardens and cultivated land : the stem is branched, spreading, and more or less prostrate :
64 WILD FLOWERS
the leaves are heart-shaped, with blunt serrations : the flowers, which are pale reddish purple, occur in little clusters in the axils of the leaves, and may be found practically throughout the year.
134. Capitate Mint.
135. Hemp- Nettle.
137. Spotted Hand-Orchis, Orchis maculata, Orchis family. A common spring and early summer flower, of moist woods and
136. Red Dead- Nettle.
137. Spotted Hand-Orchis.
pastures : the stem is J to 1 J ft. high, unbranched, and bears at its tip a thick spike of pale purple flowers : these have short spurs and large lips, which are generally spotted with darker
PALE PURPLE FLOWERS 65
purple : the leaves are long, blunt, fleshy, and spotted with dark brownish purple : if the plant be dug up, it will be found to possess 2 fat tuberous roots, besides several others more fibrous in character.
138. Scented Orchis, Habenaria conopsea, Orchis family.
138. Scented Orchis.
The stem is 9 to 12 ins. high, and bears a spike of lilac-coloured flowers : the flower has a long delicate spur and a small lip : the leaves are long and pointed : the flowers, which appear in early summer, are very fragrant : common on moist heaths and hilly roadsides.
PURPLE FLOWEBS, 139-163
A. Leaves compound, deeply cut, or lobed . . 139-150
B. Leaves quite simple, at most toothed . . 151-163
139. Heartsease, Pansy, Viola tricolor. Violet family. The stem is weak, and rambles in the coarse grass of the pastures and wayside banks, where the plant commonly occurs : the leaves are ovate and bluntly serrate, but as they are provided with very large, deeply cut stipules, the effect is that of a much divided leaf: the flowers are large, and occur singly on long stalks in the leaf axils : the lower petal is spurred : the dominant
66
WILD FLOWERS
colour of the flower is deep pure purple, but usually the 3 lower petals are paler, and one may be yellow : flowers from spring to autumn.
140. Bloody Crane's-bill, Geranium sanguineum, Crane's-bill family. A bushy plant, about 1 ft. high, not uncommon on dry cliffs and sandy banks, where it flowers in summer: the leaves are large, stalked, and deeply palm-cut into 7 notched segments: the flowers occur singly on slender stalks in the leaf axils; they are large, brilliant red- purple, and very handsome ; the ripe fruits are scattered by the peculiar move-
139. Heartsease, Pansy.
140. Bloody Crane's-bill.
ment of their beaks, which roll up like watch-springs as they dry.
141. Field Crane's-bill, Geranium pratense, Crane's-bill family. The stem is tall (1 to 3 ft.) and much branched : the leaves are large, sessile, and cut into toothed lobes : the flowers are numerous, occur in pairs, and are purple in colour : a common plant of meadows and waysides, flowering in summer.
142. Herb Robert, GeraniumRobertianwn, Crane's-bill family. The weak, brittle stem is much branched, and bears pairs of stalked leaves : the leaves are compound, with 3 to 5 notched leaflets : the flowers, which occur in pairs on slender stalks, are small and reddish purple in colour : the whole plant is sticky, and has a not unpleasant odour : very common in damp shady places, flowering from spring to autumn.
143. Tufted Vetch., vicia Cracca, Vetch family. A common and striking plant of dry banks and hedgerows : the long weak stem rambles over other plants, aided by the slender-branched tendrils, which occupy the tips of the leaves: the leaves are
PURPLE FLOWERS
67
feather-compound, with stipules: the leaflets, of which there are about 10 pairs, are lance-shaped, and provided with
141. Field Crane's-bill.
142. Herb Robert.
minute, sharp points : from the axils of the upper leaves spring the long flower-stalks, each with a dense tuft of many small, bright bluish-purple flowers : flowers in summer.
143. Tufted Vetch.
144. Bush Vetch.
144. Bush Vetch, Vicia sepium, Vetch family. Another common plant of banks and hedges : the stem is not so long as
68 WILD FLOWERS
that of the Tufted Vetch, and there are only a few flowers in the shortly stalked tufts: the leaves have about 6 pairs of narrowly ovate leaflets, with sharp points, and are provided with stipules and tendrils : the flowers, which are dull purple (rarely white), appear in summer.
145. Tuberous Vetchling, Lathyrus montanus, Vetch family. The stem is slender and prostrate : the leaves have 2 to 3 pairs of narrow elliptical leaflets, are provided with stipules, but are without tendrils, the tip of the leaf being occupied by a short point : the flower stalks, arising in the axils of the leaves, are long and slender, with 3 to 4 flowers : the flowers are rich or sometimes pale purple in colour and appear in summer : the
145. Tuberous Vetchling.
146. Hemp-Agrimony.
plant has a tuberous root, and is common in heathy woods and pastures, and on moors.
146. Hemp- Agrimony, Eupatorium canndbinum, Daisy family. An ancient "simple," this fine plant grows in moist places along stream sides : the stem is 1 to 3 it. high, with pairs of leaves so deeply cut as to be almost compound : the lobes are 3 to 5 in number, and are serrate : the small flower-heads are massed in a large, flat inflorescence of a dull purple colour: flowers in late summer and autumn.
147. Spear Thistle, Cnicus lanceolatus, Daisy family. The national flower of Scotland is onlv too common in pastures and waste ground : it owes its wiue distribution to the fact that the numerous little fruits are each provided with a very efficient float — the pappus — by means of which the wind can scatter them far and wide : the tall stem is clothed with oblong,
PURPLE FLOWERS 69
jagged, and spiny leaves, and bears several large heads of purple flowers : flowers in late summer and autumn.
148. Marsh Thistle, Cnicus palustris, Daisy family. A less conspicuous plant than the Spear Thistle, but very common in damp places: the stem may be over 3 ft. high, and is clothed with long, deeply cut, and very spiny, dark green leaves : the flower-heads are of medium size, occurring in clusters : flowers purple, appearing in late summer. 0. arvensis, the Creeping
147. Spear Thistle.
148. Marsh TliL-lk.
Thistle, which is similar, but with whitish green leaves and paler flowers, is common on waste ground.
149. Knapweed, Centaur ea nigra, Daisy family. A common plant in pastures, flowering fromjune to autumn : the leaves are long, lance-shaped, and the lower ones are deeply notched : the stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, and bears several large heads of deep purple flowers.
150. Bittersweet, Solanum Dulcamara, Bittersweet family. The slender stem rambles amongst bushes in hedges and woods : the leaves are almost compound, with 3 ovate lobes : the flowers occur in drooping clusters, and resemble those of its relative the potato in shape : the 5 petals are fine purple, each with 2 green spots, and in the centre of the flower is a little yellow crown of stamens: the flowers appear in summer, and are followed by small, red, slightly poisonous berries : the plant was formerly much employed medicinally.
70
WILD FLOWERS
151. Sweet Violet, Viola odorata, Violet family. Less common than the Dog Violet, the Sweet Violet is found in woods : the leaves are heart-shaped, with rounded tips and serrate
149. Knapweed.
150. Bittersweet.
margins : the flowers are purple in colour, or sometimes white, and sweet scented, appearing in spring : like the other violets, the sweet violet produces, besides the conspicuous coloured ilowers, and later than these, small, green, bud-like flowers, which never open, but which nevertheless set abundant seed.
151. Sweet Violet.
152. Dog Violet
152. Dog Violet, Viola canina, Violet family. One of the commonest and prettiest of our wild flowers: it is found in woods, hedges, on banks, river shingle, and along stream sides : the leaves are in a tuft, and are heart-shaped, with serrate edges : the flowers, borne singly on long stalks, are large, scentless, and
PURPLE FLOWERS
71
purple, in some forms almost blue : one petal is provided with a nectar-containing spur : flowers in spring and early summer.
153. Red Campion, Lychnis dioica, Chickweed family. A handsome plant of hedges, banks, and woods: the tall (2 ft.) stem bears pairs of downy ovate leaves : the flowers, crowded at the apex, are large and red purple : male and female flowers occur on different plants. L. alba is a very similar plant, with white flowers, which have a delicate scent in the evening : both flower in summer.
154. Corn-Coekle, Lychnis Githago^ Chickweed family. A striking weed of corn-fields : the stem is about 2 ft. high, with
153. Red Campion.
154. Corn-Cockle.
pairs of lance -shaped leaves : the flowers occur singly on stalks in the axils of the upper leaves; they are large and bright purple : if abundant, it is dangerous, as the seeds are poisonous and contaminate the grain with which they become mixed : flowers in summer.
155. Fine-leaved Heath, Erica cinerea, Heath family. A small plant of dry heaths : the stem is erect, branched, and about 4 to 6 ins. high : the leaves are in whorls, generally of 3 : the flowers, which occur in little clusters at the tips of the branches, are small, egg-shaped, with the mouth of the corolla pointing downwards and outwards ; they are a rich purple in colour, and appear in summer.
156. Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, Foxglove family. One of our most beautiful woodland plants: it produces in the first
72 WILD FLOWERS
year a rosette of soft, broad, lance-shaped leaves, with serrate edges, and from this arise, in succeeding years, the tall, flower- ing stems : the flowers, which open in summer, are arranged in a handsome terminal spike : they are large, pendant, purple or rarely white, and, as the English and Latin names suggest, in shape like the finger of a glove : one of the few native plants which is still usea medicinally, it contains a strong poisonous essence.
157. Butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris, Butterwort family. A pretty little plant of bogs and wet heaths : the leaves, which are grouped in a rosette, are broadly elliptical, bright green, and
155. Fine-leaved Heath.
156. Foxglove.
viscid : from the rosette rise several slender flowering-stalks, each with a single flower, which superficially resembles that of the violet, and which is violet in colour : the edges of the leaves roll in on any insect which lights on them, and the prey is digested and utilised as food : flowers in early summer.
158. Wild Thyme, Thymus Serpyllum, Dead-nettle family. The stem is more or less woody, much branched, and spreads it- self out on the dry banks, where the plant grows : the leaves are in pairs, small, and lance-shaped : the flowers are gathered at the tips of short, erect branches ; they are small, purple, and appear in summer : the whole plant is pleasantly aromatic.
159. Ground-Ivy, Nepeta Glcchoma, Dead-nettle family. The stem is branched and prostrate, with pairs of rounded, heart- shaped leaves on long stalks : the leaf margins are scalloped : the flowers are in clusters in the axils of the upper leaves : the corolla protrudes markedly from the calyx, and is bright blue-
PURPLE FLOWERS
73
purple : common in shady woods, flowering in spring and early summer.
160. Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris, Dead-nettle family. A very common plant of meadows and pastures, flowering in late
157. Butter wort.
158. Wild Thyme.
summer : the stem is less than 1 ft. high, and has pairs of blunt, ovate leaves : the flowers are crowded into terminal heads of a
159. Ground-Ivy.
160. Self-heal.
dull purple colour : occasionally white-flowered plants are found : formerly a highly prized "simple."
161. Betony, Stachys Betonica, Dead-nettle family. A plant of the woods and hedges : it may be most readily recognised by its paired, stalked leaves, which are oblong, with the base heart-
74 WILD FLOWERS
shaped, and with bluntly serrate margins : the stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, with the red-purple flowers mostly gathered in short ter- minal spikes : flowers in late summer and autumn.
161. Betony.
162. Hedge- Woundwort.
162. Hedge-Woundwort, Stachys sylvatica, Dead-nettle family. A common plant of woods and thickets : the tall rank stem has pairs of large, stalked, serrate, heart-shaped leaves, with a peculiar soft, hairy surface: the flowers, which are small and dull purple, occur in little groups in the axils of the upper leaves : the plant has an unpleasant foetid odour, and was formerly used as a salve for cuts.
163. Early Purple Orchis, Orchis mas- cula, Orchis family. A fairly common and very handsome plant of pastures, flowering in early summer : the stem is 1 ft. high, and bears a long loose spike of fine purple flowers, each with a spur and a broad 3-lobed lip, the middle lobe notched in the middle : the leaves are long, fleshy, and spotted. 0. lati- folia, the Marsh Orchis, has a denser spike, of deep purple flowers, the lips of which are only very slightly lobed: it is common on moist pastures, flowering in summer.
163. Early Purple Orchis.
BLUE FLOWERS
75
BLUE FLOWERS, 164-177
<$
164. Milkwort, Polygala vulgaris, Milkwort family. A little „ plant of pastures and heaths, remarkable for the colour varia- J tions of its flowers : the most common colour is deep blue, but
pink, white, and sky-blue are very frequent : the stem is branched at the base ; each branch is about 4 ins. high, with small lance-shaped leaves, and a spike of flat flowers : flowers in 0 summer.
165. Deyil's-bit Scabious, Scabiosa Succisa, Scabious family. The stem is usually unbranched and about 2 ft. high : there is
164. Milkwort.
166. Devil's-bit Scabious.
a tuft of leaves at the base, and a few pairs on the stem, oblong- elliptical, and sometimes slightly notched : the flowers are gathered in small, round heads, blue with a slight tinge of purple, occasionally white : the name refers to the character of the underground stock, which ends abruptly, as if bitten off : a common plant of dry pastures, flowering in late summer and autumn.
166. Sea Starwort, Aster Tripolium, Daisy family. A plant of salt-marshes near the sea : the stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, with long, elliptical leaves, which are usually somewhat fleshy : the flowers are in large handsome heads, with a bright blue ray and yellow disc : flowers in autumn.
167. Corn-flower, Bluebottle, Centaurea Cyanus, Daisy family. One of the most beautiful plants of our corn-fields,
76 WILD FLOWERS
flowering in late summer : the stem is tall and slender, with many narrow leaves : the flowers are in heads, those at the
166. Sea Starwort.
167. Corn-flower, Bluebottle.
margin of the head being large and bright blue, those at the centre smaller and more purple.
168. Chicory, Succory, Cichorium Intylus, Daisy family.
168. Chicory, Succory.
169. Giant Bell-flower.
The stem is about 2 ft. high : the lower leaves are oblong in shape, with broad toothed segments: the upper leaves are smaller, toothed, lance-shaped, and clasp the stem : the flower- heads are large and of a fine blue colour ; usually only a few are
BLUE FLOWERS
77
open at one time, and these are then surmounted by spikes of buds : not uncommon on waste ground, flowering in late summer and autumn.
169. Giant Bell-flower, Campanula latifolia, Hair-bell family. A tall, handsome plant of shady places, flowering in late summer and autumn : the leaves are stalked, narrowly ovate in shape, and with serrate margins: the flowers, which are gathered in a long terminal spike, are large, bell-shaped, erect, and of a fine blue colour.
170. Hairbell, Campanula rotundifolia, Hairbell family. The Bluebell of Scotland is one of the most familiar flowers of dry pastures and banks : the slender stem is about 1 ft. high, with
170. Hairbell.
171. Bugloss.
many narrow leaves : the round leaves of the Latin name are found at the base of the stem, hidden by the grass in which the plant grows: the flowers, which occur in graceful spikes, are bright blue, or sometimes white, bell-shaped, and pendant : the English name is also written Harebell.
171. Bugloss, Lycopsis arvensis, Forget-me-not family. An inconspicuous inhabitant of fields and waste ground : the stem is about 1 ft. high and slightly branched : the leaves are bluntly lance-shaped : both stem and leaves are very rough, with short stiff hairs : the small blue flowers are gathered in terminal spikes : flowers in summer.
172. Forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides, Forget-me-not family. Several closely-related species of Myosotis are common in this country, but the most beautiful is M. scorpioides, which is found in ditches : the leaves are elliptical, and bright green : the flowers, which are larger than those of any other common native
78
WILD FLOWERS
species, have a salver-shaped, bright blue corolla, with a yellow eye : they occur in spikes at the apex of the stem : flowers in summer and autumn.
173. Variegated Forget-me-not, Myosotis versicolor, Forget- me-not family. A common plant of fields and waste places : the stem is slender, slightly branched, about \ to 1^ ft. high : the leaves, which are mostly gathered at the base, are elliptical : the flowers occur in slender spikes, are quite small, and when nearly open are yellow, changing to pink, and finally to blue : flowers in early summer.
174. Viper's Bugloss, Echium vulgare. Forget-me-not family. The stem is very rough with stiff hairs, and reaches a height of
172. Forget-me-not.
173. Variegated Forget- me-not.
1 to 2 ft. : the leaves, which are also rough, are lance-shaped and fairly large : the flowers are massed in a handsome terminal spike : the corolla is tubular and twisted, at first dull purple, but, when fully open, changing to a deep blue : not uncommon on dry banks, flowering in summer.
175. Germander Speedwell, Veronica Chamcedrys, Foxglove family. A very pretty woodland flower : the stem is more or less prostrate, with pairs of sessile, ovate, serrate leaves ; from the axils of the upper leaves arise slender stalks, each with a spike of large blue flowers : the corolla has 4 petals, very unequal in size, the lower one being much smaller than the others. A very different-looking plant is the Brooklime, V. Beccabunga, which is common in ditches : the stem is thick, with pairs of smooth, fleshy leaves : the little spikes of flowers resemble those of the Speedwell, though the flowers are smaller.
176. Bugle, Ajuga reptans, Dead-nettle family. A common
BLUE FLOWERS
79
early summer plant of damp meadows and stream sides • from the base of the stem arise several prostrate runners, which, like
174. Viper's Bugloss.
175. Germander Speedwell.
it, bear pairs of smooth, oval leaves : the flowering stem is erect, about 6 ins. high, with little groups of flowers in the axils of the upper leaves : the corolla is tubular, with a large, lobed lower
176. Bugle.
177. Wood Hyacinth, English Bluebell.
lip ; the upper lip, which is present in most members of this family, is wanting : flowers blue, occasionally white. 177. Wood Hyacinth, English Bluebell, Scilla non-scripta,
80
WILD FLOWERS
Hyacinth family. The plant rests in the form of a bulb through- out the winter, and in spring sends up several long, narrow, fleshy leaves : in early summer appears the flower stalk, about 9 ins. high, with a terminal spike of drooping, bell-shaped flowers, bright blue in colour : a flower of shady woods.
BROWN FLOWERS, 178-184
178. Hare's-foot Trefoil, Trifolium arvense, Vetch family. On dunes and other sandy ground the Hare's-foot Trefoil is frequently met with : the stem is branched, often creeping, and may reach a length of about 1 ft. : the leaves are compound, with 3 harrow leaflets : the flowers are united in stalked, oval heads,
178. Hare's-foot Trefoil.
179. Cudweed.
of a light greyish-brown colour: flowers in late summer and autumn.
179. Cudweed, Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Daisy family. A common, but not very conspicuous, plant of dry fields and pastures, flowering in late summer : the simple stem is usually 6 to 9 ins. high, but varies greatly, and may be much taller or shorter: the small, oval flower-heads are chocolate-brown in colour, and form a spike on the upper half of the stem: the leaves are narrowly lance-shaped. The Marsh Cudweed, a related plant of moist meadows, has a shorter, branched stem and paler flower-heads.
180. Knotted Figwort, Scrophularia nodosay Foxglove family.
BROWN FLOWERS
81
The tall (2 to 4 ft.) stem is markedly square, and bearspairsof large, ovate, serrate leaves ; it is thickened at the points where these
180. Knotted Fig wort.
181. Ribwort.
arise : the flowers are small, roundish, and rich brown and green, in colour : common in moist shady places, flowering in summer.
181. Ribwort, Plantago lanceolata, Plantain family. A familiar weed 'of road-sides and grassy
places : from the rosette of long, ribbed, lance-shaped leaves spring several flower- stalks, from 3 ins. to 1 ft. high : each bears a single head of small flowers, which is dark brown or black in colour, except when the flowers are fully open, when it takes on a greyish or yellowish tinge: the Carl-Doddie of Scottish chil- dren,fromits use in an ancient war-game of Charles against George: flowers in summer.
182. Common Bush, Juncus communis, Rush family. The short creeping stock gives rise to long, slender, cylindri- cal, green stems about 2 ft. high and sharply pointed : at the base of these are 2 to 3 sheaths, which represent the leaves : the stems are soft, and filled with a white pith, which is used even to-day
as a lamp -wick : some of the stems are barren, but from near the apex of others springs a dense, round head of brown flowers : flowers in summer on marshy ground.
182. Common Hush.
82 WILD FLOWERS
183. Great Wood-Rush, Luzula sylvatica, Rush family. A very common plant in shady woods, where it often covers large patches of soil : the leaves, which arise in tufts, are sword- shaped, and dark, shining green, the edges covered with long, silky hairs : the flowers are small, pale brown, and occur in a branched cluster, at the apex of the flowering stem : flowers in spring and early summer.
184. Reed-Mace, Typha latifolia, Reed-mace family. A typical plant of the margins of ponds and lakes : the stem may be 6 ft.
183. Great Wood-Rush. 184. Reed-Mace.
high, and bears at its tip 2 inflorescences : the lower is firm, cylindrical, dark brown, and consists of female flowers ; the upper is looser, paler, and consists of male flowers : the leaves are broad and long, overtopping the inflorescences : a species with narrower and shorter leaves is also found : flowers in
GREEN FLOWERS, 185-195
185. Lady's Mantle, Akhemilla vulgaris, Rose family. A common plant of moist pastures, flowering in summer : it is readily recognised by its leaves, which are almost round and palm-lobed, with about 7 serrate lobes : they are unwettable, and when plunged in water or covered with rain-drops take on a silvery appearance : they are provided with stipules, and when young are plaited: the flowers are small, star-like, yellowish green, and occur in brushes at the end of the flowering stems.
GREEN FLOWERS
83
186. Golden Saxifrage, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Saxi- frage family. A spring flowering plant of stream-sides and wet places, particularly in woods : the stem may be 6 ins. high, with pairs of shortly stalked, roundish leaves with scalloped edges : the flowers are small in numerous little groups at the apex of the stem, and are green with a golden tinge.
187. Moschatel, Adoxa Moschatellina, Moschatel family. A delicate little plant of damp woods, flowering in spring: the stem is horizontal, and lies just under the surface of the soil : it sends up several stalked leaves, and a single flower-stalk with 2 leaves, and a little head of 5 flowers : the leaves are compound,
185. Lady's Mantle.
186. Golden Saxifrage.
with 3 leaflets, each 3-lobed : the flowers are pale green : the apical flower of the head has 4 petals, and the others have each 5.
188. Goose-foot, Fat Hen, Chenopodium album. Goose-foot family. A common weed of waste ground and cultivated land, flowering in autumn : the stem is tall and branched, with stalked rhomboid-shaped leaves, the margins of which are coarsely toothed : the flowers are small and greenish, in little spikes in the axils of the upper leaves : the plant has a slightly mealy appearance.
189. Black Bindweed, Polygonum Convolvulus, Dock family. A common and troublesome weed of gardens : the root descends to great depths, and is very difficult to eradicate : in corn-fields it twines round the stems of the corn: the leaves are arrow- shaped, and in their axils occur in summer and autumn little groups of green flowers, tinged with pink.
190. Curled Dock, Rumex crispus, Dock family. The stem is
84 WILD FLOWERS
about 3 ft. high, and bears very large, long, lance-shaped, wavy leaves : the flowers are small, green, pendulous, and occur in
187. Moschatel.
188. Goose-foot, Fat Hen.
prominent, branched, terminal spikes : the stem and flowers have often a reddish tinge : there are several closely-related
189. Black Bindweed.
190. Curled Dock.
species, which differ only in details : common about cultivated land, flowering in summer and autumn.
GREEN FLOWERS
85
191. Petty Spurge, Euphorbia Peplus, Spurge family. The Spurges are readily recognised among our green-flowered plants
191. Petty Spurge.
192. Dog's Mercury.
by the fact that they exude a milky juice when wounded : the stem is branched, with smooth leaves of a fine green, oval or ovate in shape : the apparent flowers are small and green ; in reality they are little inflorescences of much-simplified flowers : a common gar- den weed, flowering in autumn : the Sun Spurge is a common field weed, with serrate leaves and yellowish green inflorescences.
192. Dog's Mercury, Mercurialis peren- nis, Spurge family. A common spring plant of shady woods : the stem is about 1 ft. high, with pairs of broadly lance- shaped, serrate leaves : the flowers are of two kinds, male and female, occurring on different plants : they are in little spikes in the axils of the upper leaves, the former yellowish green, the latter green : highly poisonous.
193. Bur-reed, Sparganium erectum, Bur-reed family. A common plant grow- ing in the muddy margins of sluggish streams : the stem is about 2 ft. high, and
is slightly branched : the flowers are gathered into spiky, spherical, green heads, which are situated about the tips of the branches : the leaves are long and sword-shaped : flowers in summer.
193. Bur-reed.
86
WILD FLOWERS
194. Cuckoo-Pint, Lords-and-Ladies, Arum maculatum, Cuckoo-pint family. The plant at once attracts attention by its large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, which rise from the ground on longish stalks : among them appear in April or May the curious inflorescences : these consist of a stalk, on which are arranged first female flowers reduced to a single seed-vessel, then male flowers reduced to a single stamen, ahove these a circle of stout hairs, and finally a long, dark purple club, the whole being enclosed by a long, pointed, pale green hood : in autumn the
194. Cuckoo-Pint, Lords-and- Ladies.
195. Cotton-Grass.
hood and the upper parts of the inflorescence die away, leaving the stalk crowned by a little bunch of scarlet berries : not un- common in woods and hedges.
195. Cotton-Grass, Eriophorum polystachion, Sedge family. A striking plant of boggy ground : the leaves are long, narrow, and pointed : the stem is slender, about 1 ft. high, and bears several heads of flowers on delicate drooping flower-stalks : in colour they are greenish, tinged with yellow and brown : the plant is most remarkable when in fruit, as the head then presents the appearance of a flock of cotton-wool: Harems-tail Gotton-grasst a related species, bears only a single, erect flower-head on each stalk ; flowers in summer.
FLOWERS RARELY FOUND
87
FLOWERS RARELY FOUND OR VERY INCONSPICUOUS, 196-200
196. Mare's-Tail, Ilippuris vulgaris, Mare's-tail family. A not uncommon plant of quiet water : the stem is partly (or in running water completely) submerged : it is simple or slightly branched, with many whorls, of 6 to 12 stiff, narrow leaves, with
196. Mare's-Tail.
197. Water Milfoil.
hard points : the submerged leaves are soft and long : flowers very small, in the axils of the upper leaves, in summer.
197. Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, Mare's-tail family. A common plant of ponds and slow streams : the slender stem bears whorls of 4 brownish, feather- like leaves: the plant is submerged,
except for the slender terminal spikes of very small flowers, which appear in summer.
198. Water Starwprt Callitriche aqua- ticat Mare's-tail family. An extremely common plant of ditches, ponds, and quiet streams : the stem is slender, branched, and haa pairs of elliptical leaves, broader towards the tip : in
some forms the leaves are quite narrow and pointed: flowers small, and green in the leaf axils : the plant is of a fresh green colour.
198. Water Starwort.
88 WILD FLOWERS
199. Greater Bladderwort, Utricularia vulgarisy Butterwort family. A fairly common submerged plant of pools, especially on peaty soil: the leaves are very much divided into narrow, hair-like segments ; some of the segments are replaced by little bladders, which act as traps for small water-animals, the dead bodies of which are utilised by the plant as food : the large yellow flowers are produced in spikes above the water in
, 199. Greater Bladderwort.
200. Water-Thyme.
Bummer, but the plant flowers only rarely : the Lesser Bladder- wort has more slender leaves and small pale flowers.
200. Water-Thyme, Elodea canademis, Water-thyme family. The stems are long, slender, and submerged, with close whorls of 3 narrow, blunt, olive-green leaves : the flowers, which are rarely seen, are small, on slender stalks, and pale violet : the plant is not a native, but since its introduction from America it has spread enormously, and often seriously chokes ponds and canals.
INDEX OF LATIN NAMES
The numbers refer to the figure numbers, not to the pages
|
ACHILLBA, 2, 3 |
DlANTHUS, 105 |
Lychnis, 106, 153, 154 |
|
Adoxa, 187 |
Digitalis, 156 |
Lycopsis, 171 |
|
^Egopodium, 7 |
Drosera, 39 |
Lysimachia, 88, 89 |
|
Agrimonia, 80 |
||
|
Ajuga, 176 Alchemilla, 185 |
ECHIUM, 174 |
MATRICARIA, 5 |
|
Alisma, 115 Alliura, 42 Anagallis, 120 Anemone, 17 Angelica, 13 Antennaria, 107 Anthriscus, 12 Anthyllis, 74 Arum, 194 Asperula, 29 |
Elodea, 200 Epilobium, 128 Erica, 108, 155 Eriophorum, 195 Erodium, 124 Erophila, 33 Erythrsea, 110 Eupatorium, 146 Euphorbia, 191 Euphrasia, 31 |
Medicago, 71 Melilotus, 72 Mentha, 174 Menyanthes, 103 Mercurialis, 192 Mimulus, 84 Myosotis, 172, 173 Myriophyllum, 197 Myrrhis 10 |
|
Aster, 166 |
FTJMARIA, 100 |
NARTHECIUM, 90 Nasturtium, 20 |
|
BARBAREA, 68 |
Nepeta, 159 |
|
|
Bellis, 1 |
GALEOPSIS, 86, 135 |
Nymphrea, 94 |
|
Brassica, 69 |
Galium, 26, 27, 28, 81, 82 |
|
|
Butomus, 116 CAKILE, 123 |
Genista, 97 Gentiana, 133 Geranium, 140, 141, 142 |
ONONIS, 101 Orchis, 137, 163 Oxalis 23 |
|
Callitriche, 198 |
Geum, 77, 102 |
|
|
Calluna, 132 |
Gnaphalium, 179 |
|
|
Caltha, 93 |
PAPAVER, 17 |
|
|
Campanula, 169, 170 Capsella, 22 Cardamine, 21, 122 |
HABENARIA, 138 Helianthemum, 95 |
Parnassia, 38 Pedicularis, 104 Petasites, 131 |
|
Castalia, 43 Caucalis, 15 Centaurea, 149, 167 Cerastium, 44 Chelidonium, 67 Chenopodium, 188 |
Hieracium' 59, 60 Hippuris, 196 Hydrocotyle, 129 Hypericum, 96 Hypochseris, 61 |
Pimpinella, 8 Pinguicula. 157 Plantago, 181 Polygala, 164 Polygonum, 112,113, 114, 189 |
|
Chrysanthemum, 4, 52 Chrysosplenium, 186 |
.TUNCUS, 182 |
Potentilla, 78, 79, 119 Primula, 87 |
|
Cichorium, 168 |
Prunella, 160 |
|
|
Clematis, 16 |
LAMIUM, 136 |
Pyrola, 49 |
|
Cnicus, 147, 148 |
Lapsana, 57 |
|
|
Cochlearia, 34 |
Lathy rus, 76, 145 |
|
|
Conium, 6 |
Leontodon, 62 |
RANUNCULUS, 18, 66, 91, |
|
Conopodium, 9 |
Lepidium, 36 |
92 |
|
Convolvulus, 111 |
Linaria, 83 |
Reseda, 70 |
|
Corydalis, 19 |
Lotus, 75 |
Rhinanthus, 85 |
|
Crepis, 58 |
Luzula, 183 |
Rumex, 121, 190 |
|
89 |
90
INDEX
|
SAGINA, 47 |
Spergiila, 48 |
Trientalis, 40 |
|
Sagittaria, 50 |
Spiraea, 25 |
Trifolium, 24, 73, IIS, |
|
Scabiosa, 126, 168 |
Stachys, 161, 162 |
178 |
|
Scandix, 11 |
Statice, 109 |
Tussilago, 54 |
|
Scilla, 177 Scrophularia, 180 |
Stellaria, 45, 46 Symphytum, 41 |
Typha, 184 |
|
Sedum, 99 |
||
|
Senecio, 55, 56 Sherardia, 130 |
TANACETUM, 52 |
ULEX, 98 Utricularia, 199 |
|
Sisymbrium, 35 |
Taraxacum, 63 |
|
|
Solanum, 150 |
Teucrium, 32 |
VALERIANA, 125 |
|
Solidago, 51 |
Thlaspi, 37 |
Veronica, 30, 175 |
|
Sonchus, 64 |
Thymus, 158 |
Vicia, 143, 144 |
|
Sparganium, 193 |
Tragopogon, 65 |
Viola, 127, 139, 151, 152 |
INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES
The numbers refer to the figure numbers, not to the pages
|
AGRIMONY, 80 |
Corn-Marigold, 52 |
HAIRBELL, 170 |
|
Anemone, 17 |
Corn Rose, 117 |
Hare's-foot Trefoil, 178 |
|
Angelica, 13 |
Cotton-grass, 195 |
Hawkbit, 62 |
|
Arrow-head, 50 |
Cow-parsnip, 14 |
Hawk's-beard, 58 |
|
Avens, 102 |
Cowslip, 87 |
Hawkweed, 59, GO |
|
Crane's-bill, 140, 141 |
Heartsease, 139 |
|
|
BED-STRAW, 26, 27, 82 Bell-flower, 169 Betony, 1(31 Bindweed, 111, 230 Bird's-foot Trefoil, 75 Bishop's-weed, 7 Bitter- Cress, 21 Bittersweet, 150 Black Bindweed, 189 Bladderwort, 199 Bluebell, 170, 177 Blue-bottle, 167 Bog- Asphodel, 90 Brandy-bottle, 94 |
Crosswort, 81 Crowfoot, 18, 66 Cuckoo-flower, 122 Cuckoo-pint, 194 Cudweed, 179 DAISY, 1 Dandelion, 63 Dead-nettle, 136 Devil's-bit, 165 Dock, 190 Dog's Mercury, 192 Dutch Clover, 24 |
Heath, 108, 155 Heather, 132 Hedge Parsley, 15 Hemlock, 6 Hemp- Agrimony, 146 Hemp-nettle, 86, 135 Herb Kobert, 142 Hog-weed, 14 Hyacinth, 177 JACK-BY-THE-HEDGE, 35 Jack-go-to-bed-at-Noon, 65 |
|
Brooklime, 175 |
||
|
Buckbean, 103 Bugle, 176 |
EYEBRIQHT, 31 |
KIDNEY VETCH, 74 Knapweed, 149 |
|
Bugloss, 171, 174 |
Knot-grass, 112 |
|
|
Burnet-Saxifrage, 8 |
FAT HEN, 188 |
|
|
Bur-reed, 193 Butterbur, 131 Buttercup, 66 Butterwort, 157 |
Felwort, 133 Feverfew, 4 Figwort, 180 Flowering-rush, 116 |
LADY'S FINGER, 74 Lady's Mantle, 185 Lady's Smock, 122 Ling, 132 |
|
Forget-me-not, 172, 173 |
Loosestrife, 88 |
|
|
CAMPION, 153 Cat's-ear, 61 |
Foxglove, 156 Fumitoiy, 19, 100 |
Lords-and-Ladies, 194 Louse-wort, 104 |
|
Cat's-foot, 107 |
Furze, 98 |
|
|
Celandine, 67, 92 |
||
|
Centaury, 110 |
MADDER, 130 |
|
|
Chamomile, 5 |
GARLIC, 42 |
Maiden Pink, 105 |
|
Charlock, 69 |
Gentian, 133 |
Mare's-tail, 196 |
|
Chervil, 12 |
Goafs-beard, 65 |
Marsh-Cinquefoil, 119 |
|
Chickweed, 45 |
Golden-rod, 51 |
Marsh-Marigold, 93 |
|
Chickweed Wintergreen, 40 |
Golden Saxifrage, 186 Goldilocks, 82 |
Mayweed, 5 Meadow-Sweet, 25 |
|
Chicory, 168 |
Goosefoot, 189 |
Medick, 71 |
|
Cleavers, 28 |
Goose-grass, 28 |
Melilot, 72 |
|
Clover, 24, 118 |
Gorse, 98 |
Mignonette, 70 |
|
Coltsfoot, 54 |
Goutweed, 7 |
Milkwort, 164 |
|
Conafrey, 41 |
Grass of Parnassus, 88 |
MillefoU, 2 |
|
Corn-Cockle, 154 |
Ground Ivyt 159 |
Mint, 134 |
|
Corn-flower, 1C7 |
Groundsel, 55 |
Moneywort, 89 |
|
91 |
INDEX
|
Moschatel, 187 |
RAGGED ROBIN, 106 |
TANSY, 63 |
|
Mountain - Everlasting, |
Ragwort, 66 |
Thistle, 147, 148 |
|
107 |
Ramsons, 42 |
Thrift, 109 |
|
Mouse-ear, 44 |
Red-Rattle, 104 |
Thyme, 158 |
|
Musk, 84 |
Reed-mace, 184 |
Toad-flax, 83 |
|
Mustard, 87 |
Rest-harrow, 101 |
Tormentil, 78 |
|
Myrrh, 10 |
Ribwort, 181 |
Traveller's Joy, 16 |
|
Rock-rose, 95 |
Trefoil, 73, 75, 178 |
|
|
Rocket 68 |
||
|
NIPPLEWORT, 57 |
Rush, 182 |
VALERIAN, 125 |
|
Vetch, 143, 144 |
||
|
OLD MAN'S BEARD, 16 |
ST. JOHN'S WORT, 96 |
Vetchling, 76, 145 |
|
Orchis, 137, 138, 163 |
Sauce-alone, 35 |
Violet, 127, 151, 152 |
|
Ox-eye, 4 |
Scabious, 126, 165 |
Viper's Bugloss, 174 |
|
Scurvy-grass, 34 |
||
|
Sea-Daisy, 109 |
WALL-PEPPER, 99 |
|
|
PANSY, Io9 Pearlwort, 47 Penny Cress, 37 Pennyroyal, 164 Pennywort, 129 Pepperwort, 36 Persicaria, 113, 114 Petty Whin, 97 |
Sea-Rocket, 123 Self-heal, 160 Shepherd's Needle, 11 Silver-weed, 79 Sneezewort, 3 Sorrel, 121 Sourock, 121 Sowthistle, 64 |
Water-Cress, 20 Water-Lily, 43, 94 Water-Milfoil, 197 Water-Plantain, 115 Water-Starwort, 198 Water-Thyme, 200 Weld, 89 Whin, 98 |
|
Pig-nut, 9 Pimpernel, 89, 120 Pink, 105 Plantain, 181 Poor Man's Weather- |
Spear wort, 91 Speedwell, 30, 175 Spurge, 191 Spurrey, 48 Starwort, 166 |
Whitlow-grass, 33 Willow Herb, 128 Winter-green, 49 Woodruff, 29 Woodrush, 183 |
|
glass, 120 Poppy, 117 Primrose, 87 |
Stitchwort, 46 Stonecrop, 99 Stork's-bill, 124 |
Wood-Sage, 32 Wood-Sorrel, 23 Woundwort, 162 |
|
Succory, 168 |
||
|
QUEEN - OP - THE - MEADOW, 25 |
Sundew, 39 Sweet Cicely, 10 |
YARROW, 2 Yellow Rattle, 85 |
12/13
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON &* Co, at Paul's Work, Edinburgh
THE PEOPLE'S BOOKS
General Editor— H. C. O'NEILL
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NOW READY (February 1914)
THE FIRST NINETY-SIX VOLUMES
1. The Foundations of Science . . By W.C.D. Whetham,M.A.,F.R.S.
2. Embryology— The Beginnings of Life By Prof. Gerald Leighton, M.D.
3. Biology ....... By Prof. W. D. Henderson, M.A.
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7. The Structure of the Earth . . By Prof. T. G. Bonney, F.R.S.
8. Evolution ....... By E. S. Goodrich, M.A., F.R.S.
10. Heredity ....... By J. A. S. Watson, B.Sc.
11. Inorganic Chemistry .... By Prof. E. C. C. Baly, F.R.S.
12. Organic Chemistry .... By Prof. J. B. Cohen, B.Sc., F.R.S.
13. The Principles of Electricity . . By Norman R. Campbell, M.A.
14. Radiation ....... By P. Phillips, D.Sc.
15. The Science of the Stars ... By E.W. Maunder, F.R.A.S.
16. The Science of Light .... By P. Phillips, D.Sc.
17. Weather Science ..... By R. G. K. Lempfert, M.A.
18. Hypnotism and Self-Education . . By A. M. Hutchison, M.D.
19. The Baby: A Mother's Book . . By a University Woman.
20. Youth and Sex— Dangers and Safe- \ By Mary Scharlieb.M.D., M.S., and
guards for Boys and Girls . . I F. Arthur Sibly, M.A., LL.D.
21. Marriage and Motherhood . . . { By F^kc-I.E."0*^50"' M'R|
22. Lord Kelvin ...... ByA.Russell,M.'A.,D.Sc.,M.I.E.E.
23. Huxley ....... By Professor G. Leighton, M.D.
24. Sir William Huggins and Spectro-1 By E.W. Maunder, F.R.A.S., of the
scopic Astronomy . . . . / Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
26. Henri Bergson ..... By H. Wildon Carr, Litt.D.
27. Psychology ...... ByH. J.Watt,M.A.,Ph.D.,D.Phil.
28. Ethics ....... By Canon Rashdall, D.Litt., F.B.A.
29. Kant's Philosophy. . . .{*%&£$%£•*••«****
32. Roman Catholicism . . / By H. B. Coxon. Preface, Mgr. R.
V. ±1. .Benson.
33. The Oxford Movement ... By Wilfrid Ward.
3, The Bibie and Criticism . .{By W^H. B^nett, D.D.,LU,D.,
36. The Growth of Freedom . . . By H. W. Nevinson.
37. Bismarck and the Origin of the! ^ r ^ ,, ,, . ,
German Empire . . . . } Professor F. M. Powicke.
38. Oliver Cromwell ..... By Hilda Johnstone, M.A.
39. Mary Queen of Scots . . . . By E. O'Neill, M.A.
40. Cecil John Rhodes, 1853-1902 . . By Ian D. Colvin.
41. Julius Caesar . ..... By Hilary Hardinge.
42. England in the Making . . . { B* P{£'£' J' C Hearnshaw> M. A.,
43. England in the Middle Ages . . By E. O'Neill, M.A. 44- The Monarchy and the People . . By W. T. Waugh, M.A.
45. The Industrial Revolution . . By Arthur Tones, M.A.
46. Empire and Democracy . . . By G. S. Veitch, M.A., Litt.D.
THE PEOPLE'S BOOKS— (continued)
47. Women's Suffrage ....
51. Shakespeare
52. Wordsworth
53. Pure Gold— A Choice of Lyrics
Sonnets
54. Francis Bacon ....
55. The Brontes . . .
56. Carlyle . .
57. Dante
60. A Dictionary of Synonyms .
61. Home Rule
62.
63. 64.
65- 66. 67. 68. 69. 70.
Practical Astronomy , . .
Aviation .......
Navigation
Pond Life
Dietetics
Aristotle
Friedrich Nietzsche .... Eucken : A Philosophy of Life . The Experimental Psychology of Beauty
71. The Problem of Truth ....
72. The Church of England .
74. The Free Churches ....
75. Judaism . ......
76. Theosophy ......
78. Wellington and Waterloo . . .
79. Mediaeval Socialism
So. Syndicalism
82. Co-operation
83. Insurance as a Means of Investment 85. A History of English Literature
87. Charles Lamb
88. Goethe
92. The Training of the Child . . .
03. Tennvson
94. The Nature of Mathematics . .
95. Applications of Electricity .
96. Gardening . . . 98. Atlas of the World .
xoi. Luther and the Reformation
103. Turkey and the Eastern Question .
04. Architecture
05. Trade Unions
06. Everyday Law
08. Shelley
10. British Birds
n. Spiritualism
12. Kindergarten Teaching at Home
13. Schopenhauer
14. The Stock Exchange .
15. Coleridge .... .
16. The Crusades
17. Wild Flowers ....
18. Principles of Logic
19. The Foundations of Religion
20. History of Rome .
21. Land, Industry, and Taxation
By M. G. Fawcett, LL.D.
By Prof. C. H. Herford, Litt.D.
By Rosaline Masson.
By H. C 0'NeiH.
By Prof. A. R. Skemp, M.A. By Flora Masson. By L. MacLean Watt. By A. G. Ferrers Howell. By Austin K. Gray, B.A. By L. G. Redmond Howard. Pre- face by Robert Harcourt, M. P. By H. Macpherson, Jr., F.R.A.S. By Sydney F. Walker, R.N. By William Hall, R.N. , B.A. By E. C. Ash, M.R.A.C. By Alex. Bryce, M.D., D.P.H. By Prof. A. E.Taylor, M. A., F.B. A. By M. A. Miigge, By A. J. Jones, M.A. , B.Sc., Ph.D. . By c w Valentine, B.A., D.Phil. By H. Wildon Carr, Litt.D. By Rev. Canon Masterman. By Rev. Edward Shillito, M.A. By Ephraim Levine, M.A. By Annie Besant. By Major G. W. Red way. By Bede Jarrett, O.P., M.A. By J. H. Harley, M.A. By Joseph Clayton. By W. A. Robertson, F.F.A. By A. Compton-Rickett, LL.D. By Flora Masson. By Prof. C. H. Herford, Litt.D. By G. Spiller. By Aaron Watson. By P. E. B. Jourdain, M.A. By Alex. Ogilvie, B.Sc. By A. Cecil Bartlett. By J. Bartholomew, F.R.G.S. By Leonard D. Agate, M.A. By John Macdonald, M.A. By Mrs. Arthur Bell. By Joseph Clayton. By J. J. Adams. By Sydney Waterlow, M.A. By F. B. Kirkman, B.A. By J. Arthur Hill.
°f '^ National
By Margrieta Beer, M.A. By J. F. Wheeler. By S. L. Bensusan. By M. M. C. Calthrop. By Macgregor Skene, B.Sc. By Stanley Williams, B.A. By Stanley A. Cook, M.A. By A. F. Giles, M.A. By Frederick Verinder.
LONDON AND EDINBURGH: T. C. & E. C. JACK NEW YORK: DODGE PUBLISHING CO.
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