THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
WILD FLOWEES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNDEKCLIFR 
 
LONDON : 
 
 GILBERT AND RIVINGTOX, PRINTERS, 
 ST. JOHN'S SQUARE. 
 
IRIS FCETIDISSIMA/P7/3J 
 
 L Reeve &.C? London. 
 
WILD FLOWEBS 
 
 UNDEECLIEE, ISLE OF WIGHT. 
 
 Bit 
 
 CHARLOTTE O'BRIEN 
 
 C. PARKINSON, F.G-.S. 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHORS BY 
 
 L. REEVE & CO., 5, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 
 
 1881. 
 

 
 _< 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE following pages are not intended to compete with 
 the many standard works on the British Flora, or with 
 the comprehensive volume written by Dr. Bromfield 
 on the Flora of the Isle of Wight in particular. Their 
 object is simply this, to enable temporary residents 
 in the Undercliff to become acquainted with the wealth 
 of wild flowers in the immediate neighbourhood, by 
 pointing out the localities in which the different 
 species may be found, and the time of year when they 
 are in bloom. For the latter purpose a concise Floral 
 Calendar is supplied, giving the names of all the 
 rarer kinds of wild pla ts which may be successfully 
 sought for in the different months. 
 
 As a rule they are very timid, these " wildings of 
 Nature/' and recede before the advances of man and 
 his bricks and mortar ! so that every year, as our 
 town increases, one has to go farther to seek for them. 
 Less th?n twenty years since water-cresses could be 
 gathered in a little stream which flowed peacefully 
 through Church Street, and the Bee Orchis fringed the 
 Cliff path at the foot of the Bath Eoad. " Tempera 
 mutantur ! ' y 
 
 How frequently have we heard it said, " I am told 
 there are eleven different species of the Orchid tribe 
 
 M369388 
 
VI PBEFACE. 
 
 growing in the Under cliff, if I only knew where to 
 look for them ! " 
 
 It is to help such seekers after one of the purest of 
 earthly pleasures that this little book is written ; and 
 it will be considered to have fulfilled its mission if it 
 succeeds in providing a definite and healthful object 
 for the daily walk, when, perchance, the peaceful floral 
 trophies gathered by loving hands from wood and field 
 may rejoice the heart and gladden the eyes of some 
 beloved invalid at home. 
 
 One word as to the title. " Wild Flowers of the 
 UncLeroliff and its Vicinity." It was found that to 
 limit the range of this little guide to the Undercliff 
 would be to exclude two of the most famous botanical 
 ' ' hunting-grounds " in the Island, namely the Wilder- 
 ness at Rookley, and St. Helen's Spit the former 
 within an hour's drive from Ventnor, the latter about 
 two miles' walk from Brading* Station. 
 
 And yet another word a post scriptum on behalf 
 of the wild flowers themaelves. We would ask our 
 readers, as a rule, to be content with gathering the 
 Itlossoms, without attempting to take the roots. 
 Scarcely one per cent, of the plants so carried away 
 survive their exile. The Habenaria viridis and the 
 Ophrys aranifera may be instanced as examples of 
 almost complete extermination from the Island in con- 
 sequence of the ruthless carrying away of plants only 
 to die ! 
 
 The Coloured Drawings have been executed by Miss 
 Parkinson, to whom the cordial thanks of the authors 
 are due. 
 
 VENTNOR, 1880. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PLATE PAGE 
 
 T. Iris fcetidissima ..... Frontispiece 
 
 II. Glaucium Luteuni . . . . . 6 
 
 III. Tri folium arvense . . . . . . .37 
 
 IV. Latbyrus latifolius 41 
 
 V. Melampyrum arvense ...... 89 
 
 VI. Orchis conopsea ....... Ill 
 
 VII. Epipactis palustris ...... 113 
 
 VIII. Scilla autumnalis . HG 
 
WILD FLOWEES 
 
 OP THE 
 
 UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 
 
 ORDER I. RANTTNCULACEJE. Crowfoot tribe. 
 
 SEPALS generally 5 ; petals 5 or more ; stamens inserted 
 on the receptacle, differing in number; ovaries nume- 
 rous; fruit consisting of several one or many-seeded 
 carpels. 
 
 The Hanunculacese comprise an extensive division 
 of thalamiflorous plants, of which the genus Ranunculus 
 is the type. It comes first in the natural orders, 
 which is unfortunate for students commencing Botany, 
 as a number of genera are included, differing widely 
 in the ordinary characteristics of a flower, but asso- 
 ciated together on account of the structure of the 
 carpels. For the most part they are hardy, herbaceous 
 plants, ranging over the greater part of the world, but 
 most abundant in Europe. They are remarkable for 
 their dangerous acridity, not a few being powerfully 
 caustic, some even poisonous. The Aconites and Hel- 
 lebores are powerful medicines, but dangerous in un- 
 skilled hands. It is the Aconitum (Monkshood) which 
 has frequently been mistaken for horse-radish, and 
 
2 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 eaten as such with fatal results. Professor Bentley 
 has pointed out how easily the roots may be distin- 
 guished ; while the horse-radish tapers to a point, the 
 Monkshood is cut off short. A little care and observa- 
 tion will effectually prevent such mistakes. 
 
 CLEMATIS. 
 
 Generic character. Sepals 4 6 ; corolla wanting ; 
 carpels one-seeded, terminating in cotton-like tails. 
 
 1. C. Vitalba. A climbing shrub, common on 
 chalk ; flowers greenish-white, easily identified when 
 seeding by the cotton-like carpels. Hedges by the 
 road-side, St. Lawrence, &c. 
 
 THALICTRUM. 
 
 Sepals 4 6; corolla wanting. Carpels without 
 down, one-seeded. 
 
 1. T. flavum. (Yellow Meadow Hue.) Stem 
 ^rect, branched ; leaves doubly pinnate ; flowers small 
 and dense. Rare; a single specimen found towards 
 the end of June, 1879, in a ditch close to Rookley. 
 
 ANEMONE. , 
 
 Sepals and petals 5 15; involucre of three cut 
 leaves ; carpels one-seeded. 
 
 1. A. ncmorosa. (Wood Anemone.) The early 
 spring flowers, which, with blue-bell and primrose, 
 carpet our wood. 
 
 ADONIS. 
 
 Sepals 5 ; petals 5 10 ; without a nectary at the 
 base ; carpels one-seeded and not downy, forming an 
 ovate head. 
 
 1. A. autumnalis. (Pheasants' Eye.) Not a 
 native species; plant herbaceous with cut, feathery 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 6 
 
 leaves, and bright scarlet flowers. " Corn-fields above 
 Pelham Woods" (Yenables). 
 
 RANUNCULUS. 
 
 Sepals usually 5; petals 5, occasionally more; a 
 nectary at the base; carpels one-seeded. There are 
 thirteen species in the island, of which we describe the 
 more uncommon forms. 
 
 1. R. aqiiatilis, (Water Crowfoot.) Stem sub- 
 merged ; lower leaves deeply cut and feathery, upper 
 ones floating, three-lobed. A very variable plant in 
 ponds or streams; flowers white. Chale, Sandown, 
 and Brading. 
 
 2. R. hederaceilS. (Ivy Crowfoot.) Leaves all 
 rounded and lobed ; petals small; stamens 5 10. In 
 similar situations. 
 
 3. R. auricomus. (Goldilocks.) Leaves smooth, 
 lower ones kidney-shaped, upper ones deeply cleft; 
 petals irregular ; flower small and yellow. Hew Wood, 
 Ventnor. 
 
 4. R. sceleratus. (Celery-leaved Crowfoot.) 
 Leaves smooth, cut into segments ; stem hollow, juicy; 
 carpels in oblong head. Yellow, inconspicuous flower, 
 1 2 feet high. Sandown Marshes. 
 
 5. R. Mrsutus. (Pale hairy Buttercup.) Calyx 
 reflected ; root fibrous ; carpels rough and warty. Yel- 
 low. Bembridge. 
 
 R. flammula (Lesser Spearwort) is common in Gods- 
 hill Park Marshes. It is easily known by its narrow, 
 straight leaves. R. ficaria (Lesser Celandine is com- 
 mon in every field. R. acris ( Upright Crowfoot) has 
 a spreading calyx, and is common in meadows. R. 
 repens (the Creeping Buttercup) is plentiful on Yentnor 
 
 B 2 
 
4 WILD FLOWEES 
 
 Downs. R. arvensis (Corn Crowfoot) is common in 
 corn-fields about Wroxall and elsewhere. 
 
 MYOSURUS. 
 
 Sepals 5, elongated ; petals 5 or more, very narrow ; 
 carpels one-seeded, in a dense spike. 
 
 1. M. minimus. (Common Mousetail.) A small 
 annual, 3 6 inches high ; the ripe carpels supposed 
 to resemble a mouse's tail. Bank End Farm, St. 
 Lawrence (Dr. Martin), field above Shanklin Chine 
 (Bromfield). 
 
 CALTHA. 
 
 Sepals and petals 5 or more ; carpels many-seeded. 
 
 1. C. palustris. (Marsh Marigold.) An early 
 spring flower, with shiny dark leaves. Common by 
 the side of any stream. Flowers large and yellow. 
 Sandown Marshes, Wroxall. 
 
 HELLEBORUS. 
 
 Sepals 5, persistent ; petals small, tubular ; carpels 
 310. 
 
 1. H. foetldus. (Stinking Hellebore.) Sepals con- 
 verging ; leaves evergreen, not divided to the centre ; 
 greenish colour ; a doubtful native. Among the ruins 
 at Wolverton. Rare. February. This is allied to the 
 well-known Christmas Rose. 
 
 DELPHINIUM. 
 
 Sepals 5, soon falling off, the upper one helmet- 
 shaped, with a long spur ; nectaries two-stalked, partly 
 tabular and concealed ; carpels 3 5. 
 
 1. D. Consolida. (Field Larkspur.) Closely re- 
 sembling the garden species, and a doubtful native; 
 stem erect, branched ; flowers in a loose raceme. Corn- 
 fields above the Undercliff (Bromfield), near Blackgang. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLTFF AND ITS VICINITY. 5 
 
 ORDER II. PAP AVERAGES. Poppy tribe. 
 
 Sepals 2, soon falling off; petals 4 ; ovary 1 ; stigma 
 lobed; capsule one-celled; many-seeded; strongly 
 narcotic ; leaves alternate. 
 
 The Papaveraceae are herbaceous, thalamiflorous 
 plants, with solitary or cornate carpels. They are 
 highly narcotic, the capsules of some species yielding 
 opium. A few species give an oil. But poppies are 
 mostly looked upon as troublesome weeds among corn. 
 As a fomentation, a solution of poppy-heads has long 
 been used. These are obtained from P. somniferum. 
 The yellow-horned poppy is one of the characteristic 
 plants of the UnderclifF, very common on the face of 
 the chalk cliffs. The capsule of the true poppy genus 
 is full of minute round seeds, which escape when ripe 
 through small perforations under the stigma. In all 
 plants of this order the sepals of the calyx are deci- 
 duous, that is, falling off as the flower expands. 
 
 PAPAYBR. 
 
 Stigma spreading ; capsule opening by pores. 
 
 1. P. Argemone. (Long rough-headed Poppy.) 
 Capsule club-shaped ; bristles erect ; leaves doubly 
 pinnate; a small plant; petals scarlet, black at the 
 centre. Corn-fields by the footpath between Sandown 
 and Shanklin. 
 
 2. P. hybridum. (Bound rough-headed Poppy.) 
 Capsule globular ; bristles spreading ; leaves doubly 
 pinnate; deep scarlet. Chalky corn-fields between 
 Yentnor and Niton. 
 
 3. P, dubium. (Smooth-headed Poppy.) Cap- 
 sule oblong; bristles adhering; leaves doubly pinnate; 
 scarlet. Shanklin Chine, corn-fields near Sandown. 
 
6 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 4. P, Rhoeas. (Common Poppy.) Capsule glo- 
 bular; bristles spreading; leaves pinnate and cut; 
 scarlet, often black at the base. Every corn-field. 
 
 5. P. somniferum. (White Poppy.) Capsule 
 globular ; plant not having bristles ; glaucous. Yent- 
 nor and Steephill. 
 
 It should be noted that in all the Poppy family the 
 calyx falls as the flower expands. 
 
 GLAUCIUM. 
 
 Stigma two-lobed; capsule pod-like, two-celled. 
 
 1. Gr. luteum, (Yellow-horned Poppy.) Leaves 
 embracing the stem ; glaucous ; pod conspicuous ; large 
 yellow flowers. Not uncommon on the sea-cliffs, Bon- 
 church, Yentnor. 
 
 CHELIDONIUM. 
 
 Stigma two-lobed; capsule pod-like, one-celled; seeds 
 crested. 
 
 1. C. majus, (Common Celandine.) Occasionally 
 found in waste places near Yentnor. Flowers small, 
 yellow and in umbels; leaves indented and light- 
 green. Eemarkable for the orange juice secreted in 
 the stem. 
 
 ORDER III. FTJMARIACEJE. Fumitory tribe. 
 
 Sepals 2, deciduous; petals 4, irregular; stamens 6, 
 in two sets of four and two ; ovary one-celled ; st} r le 
 thread-like; stigma lobed; juice not milky. 
 
 FUMARIA. 
 
 Petals 4, one swelling at the base ; vessels one- 
 seeded. 
 
 1. F. capreolata. (Rampant Fumitory.) Sepals 
 
AUCHJM LU TEUM/P.6.J 
 I, P.wt'v 3 & CP London 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. . 7 
 
 as broad as the corolla, and half as long ; fruit notched ; 
 a plant which climbs by means of a twisted leaf-stalk ; 
 flowers pale pink or creamy white. Very common. 
 Ventnor, Shanklin. 
 
 2. F. officinalis, (Common Fumitory.) Differs 
 from the preceding in having sepals narrower than the 
 corolla; fruit not notched; rose colour; erect. Very 
 common. 
 
 CORYDALIS. 
 
 Petals 4, one being spurred ; seed-vessel one-seeded. 
 
 1. C. claviculata. (Climbing Corydalis.) Stem 
 climbing; leaves pinnate, with tendrils; flowers in 
 clusters, small yellowish- white. Sandown, Lake Com- 
 mon. Abundant. 
 
 ORDER IV. CRTJCIFERJE. Cruciferous tribe. 
 
 A very difficult class of plants to obtain any tho- 
 rough acquaintance with, embracing a great number 
 of species. The tribe is divided into two main divi- 
 sions by the characteristics of the seed-vessels: (1), 
 seed-vessel, a pouch (silicle) or short pod; (2), seed- 
 vessel, a silique, or long pod. This division should be 
 clearly realized. 
 
 2500 species of Cruciferous plants have been de- 
 scribed, about 800 of which are indigenous to Great 
 Britain. Four-fifths of the known species grow in the 
 temperate zones, impatient alike of torrid heat or 
 arctic cold. They all have four petals, cross-shape, 
 and six stamens. They are divided into two sub- 
 orders, according to the shape of the seed-vessel, 
 which is invariably either a long pod or a short round 
 pouch. A pungent volatile and oily principle pervades 
 
8 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 the Cruciferaa, agreeable to the taste if contained in 
 moderate quantities, as in mustard or horse-radish, but 
 violent in action if present in excess. All Cruciferous 
 plants which have a succulent and sappy character are 
 edible, as the cabbage, radish, and turnip. Others are 
 ornamental garden plants, as stocks, wallflowers, candy- 
 tufts, and rockets. White or yellow are the prevailing 
 colours in the order. Matthiola incana (the Sea 
 Stock) is a rare species, not uncommon on the chalk 
 cliffs of the Isle of Wight ; and Brassica oleracea, the 
 origin of all garden cabbages, may be found sparingly 
 on the red cliffs at St. Lawrence. 
 
 (1.) Plants with Silide. 
 
 Petals 4, cross-ways ; stamens 6, 2 short, 4 long ; 
 at the base of the stamens two honey-secreting green 
 glands. 
 
 CAPSELLA. 
 
 Pouch inversely heart-shaped, flat; valves keeled, 
 not winged ; seeds numerous. 
 
 1 C. Bursa-pastoris. (Shepherd's Purse.) Plant 
 hairy; stem leaves arrow-shaped .and toothed. A 
 common weed. 
 
 LEPIDIUM. 
 
 Pouch rounded ; valves keeled ; cells one-seeded ; 
 petals equal. 
 
 1. L. campestre. (Field Pepperwort.) Leaves 
 downy ; pouch rough, with scales ; style short. In 
 cultivated fields or waste places, especially near Ryde, 
 but not uncommon in other localities. 
 
 2. L. Smithii. (Smooth Pepperwort.) Leaves 
 downy; pouch not scaly; style long. A white flower 
 in both species. A hedge plant, especially near Ryde. 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 9 
 
 COCHLEAEIA. 
 
 Pouch globose ; valves not flattened ; one-nerved ; 
 seeds numerous. 
 
 1. C. officinalis. (Common Scurvy Grass.) Koot- 
 leaves heart or kidney-shaped ; sessile, toothed at the 
 base ; all fleshy ; branched, with corymbs of white 
 flowers. Muddy sea-shore ; Bern bridge Harbour. 
 
 2. C. grcenlandica. (Greenland Scurvy Grass.) 
 Pouch globose ; leaves kidney-shaped, fleshy, entire, 
 white. Freshwater. 
 
 3. C. anglica. (English Scurvy Grass.) Pouch 
 elliptical, veined ; root-leaves oblong, entire, stalked ; 
 stem-leaves sessile and toothed. A slender plant. 
 Brading Harbour. 
 
 4. C. danica. (Danish Scurvy Grass.) Pouch 
 ovate, veined ; leaves all stalked, and nearly triangular ; 
 white. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 DRABA. 
 
 Pouch oval or oblong ; valves convex ; seeds many, 
 in two rows. 
 
 1. D. verna. (Common Whitlow Grass.) Scapes 
 leafless; petals deeply-cleft; flowers white. A very 
 insignificant little plant found at St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 CAKILE. 
 
 Pouch angular, with a joint; lower division with 
 seed attached, the upper having seed erect, which 
 soon falls off. 
 
 1. C. maritima. (Purple Sea-rocket.) A bushy 
 plant with zigzag stem; leaves glaucous, cut, and 
 fleshy ; corymbs of lilac flowers. Abundant in Sandown 
 Bay. 
 
10 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 CRAMBE. 
 
 Fruit without valves ; pouch two-jointed ; upper cell 
 with pendant seed ; lower joint seedless. 
 
 1. C. maritima. (Sea-kale.) Identical with our 
 garden species. A very rare species found only at 
 Norton. 
 
 SENEBIERA. 
 
 Pouch two-lobed, rough ; cells one-seeded. (Coro- 
 nopus of Bromfield). 
 
 1. S. COronopUS. (Wart Cress.) Pouch undi- 
 vided, having little sharp points ; style prominent ; 
 trailing stems with whitish flowers. St. Helen's Spit. 
 Common. 
 
 (2.) Pod, a long silique for seed-vessel. 
 CARDAMINE. 
 
 Pod lineal ; valves flat, nerveless ; seeds in a single 
 row on thread-like stalks. 
 
 1. C. pratensis. (Common Ladies' Smock.) 
 Leaves pinnate, without stipules ; root-leaves roundish ; 
 style straight; flowers pinkish white. Well known as 
 the Cuckoo flower. Common in all'damp fields. 
 
 2. C. hirsuta. (Hairy Bitter Cress.) Leaves 
 pinnate, without stipules ; leaflets stalked and toothed ; 
 pods erect. Has been used as a salad. Hedgebanks ; 
 moist and shady places. 
 
 BARBAREA. 
 
 Pod lineal, four-angled; valves with nerve; seeds in a 
 single row ; calyx erect. 
 
 1. B. Vlllgaris. (Common Winter Cress.) Lower 
 leaves lyrate ; the terminal lobe roundish, upper ones 
 toothed; leaves dark green; stem angular; flowers 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 11 
 
 bright yellow. Marshy ditches, Sandown, Alverstone. 
 Not uncommon. 
 
 2. B. praecox. (Early Winter Cress.) A more 
 slender species, with very narrow leaves; biennial, 
 whereas the first species is perennial. Landguard 
 Farm, Shanklin ; fields sometimes yellow with it. 
 
 NASTURTIUM. 
 
 Pod nearly cylindrical, short; valves convex, nerveless ; 
 seeds irregularly placed in two rows ; calyx spreading. 
 
 1. N. offieinale. (Water Cress.) Leaves pinnate, 
 roundish, and toothed. In streams and ponds ; abun- 
 dant. 
 
 2. N. terrestre. (Marsh Cress.) Petals yellow; 
 pods oblong. A rare species ; Sandown Marshes. 
 
 SISYMBKIUM. 
 
 Pod rounded or angular ; valves convex, nerves 3 ; 
 stigma entire ; seeds in a single row, not striated. 
 
 1. S. offieinale. (Hedge Mustard.) Pods downy, 
 pressed to the stem ; leaves hairy, lobed, pointed back- 
 wards ; stem rough ; small yellow flowers. Very 
 common. 
 
 2. S, Thalianum. (Wall Cress.) Leaves oblong, 
 toothed, hairy ; stem branched ; pods angular, very 
 long; minute white flowers. Common on any dry 
 bank. 
 
 ALLIARIA. 
 
 Pod round, long, and lineal; valves three-nerved; 
 seed striated. 
 
 1. A. officinalis. (Garlic Mustard.) Leaves ob- 
 long, toothed ; stem branched ; minute white flowers. 
 Common in hedges. 
 
12 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 CHEIRANTHUS. 
 
 Pod flattened; valves with a nerve ; stigma of two 
 spreading lobes ; calyx erect, opposite sepals swelling. 
 
 1. C. Cheiri, (Wallflower.) The true wild species 
 has yellow flowers only, leaves narrow, and at alternate 
 angles up the stem. It is not certain that this has 
 yet been detected on the Undercliff. Cliffs between 
 Ventnor and Niton are the most likely situations. All 
 coloured varieties spring from this species. 
 
 MATTHIOLA. 
 
 Pod cylindrical ; stigma converging ; seeds with a 
 membranous edge. 
 
 1. M. incana. Stem shrubby, hoary, with down; 
 pods without glands ; flowers light purple, fragrant at 
 night. One of the characteristic plants of the island, 
 and extremely rare in other parts. Steephill and Bon- 
 church cliffs, usually in inaccessible positions on the 
 chalk. 
 
 BRASSICA. 
 
 Pods cylindrical, beaked ; valves one-nerved ; calyx 
 erect ; seeds in a single row. 
 
 1. B. oleracea. (Sea Cabbage.) Root fleshy; 
 leaves smooth, glaucous, lobed; a handsome pale 
 yellow elongated corymb of flowers, almost as striking 
 as a laburnum. The cliffs just below the Consumptive 
 Hospital. 
 
 2. B. Kapa. (Rape.) Leaves glaucous on the 
 under side; pods spreading. Common in cultivated 
 lands, but not considered a true native. 
 
 SINAPIS. 
 
 Pod cylindrical, tapering, beaked ; valves three or five- 
 nerved ; seeds globose, in a single row ; calyx spreading. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 13 
 
 1. S. nigra. (Black Mustard.) Pods four-sided, 
 smooth, converging 1 to the stem ; leaves pointed, entire, 
 smooth ; a tall species with small yellow flowers. The 
 black seed yields the mustard of commerce. Foot of 
 Shanklin Chine. 
 
 2. S. arvensis. (Charlock.) Pods glabrous, with 
 many angles ; rugged ; leaves toothed, rough ; yellow. 
 A common weed in corn-fields. 
 
 EAPHANUS. 
 
 Pod without valves, swollen, imperfectly jointed; 
 seeds globular ; calyx spreading. 
 
 1 . R. maritimus. (Sea Radish.) Straw-coloured 
 flowers, but often fading to white ; leaves in alternate 
 large and small pairs. The small cove next to Steep- 
 hill, growing in the sand, although Mr. F. Moore, 
 F.L.S., has stated, in " Venables' Guide," it does not 
 grow in sand. 
 
 OKDEK V. RESEDACE.ZE. Rocket tribe. 
 KESEDA. 
 
 Sepals 2 4, narrow; petals unequal, fringed; sta- 
 mens 10 24, inserted on the disk; stigmas 3; ovary 
 three-lobed, one-celled ; seeds in three rows. 
 
 Reseda is a genus of thalamiflorous plants, nearly 
 allied to the Cruciferas, but differing from them in the 
 stamens, being indefinite and the capsules having 
 only one cell; so it constitutes an order of its own 
 under the name of Resedaceas. Only one species 
 indigenous in Britain, the Reseda luteola (Dyer's 
 Weed) ; the well-known fragrant annual (Reseda 
 odorata) being a native of Egypt, whence it was 
 introduced into Britain in 1752, and has long been a 
 
14 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 universal floral favourite. The Dyer's Weed is a bi- 
 ennial, indigenous, agricultural plant of the mignonette 
 genus. It bears also the popular names of Weld, 
 Wold, Yellow-weed, and Dyer's Rocket. It grows wild 
 on waste grounds, particularly amongst the rubbish of 
 coal-pits and quarries, and is cultivated in the vicinity 
 of manufacturing towns for the sake of its dye, which 
 is bright yellow, but is exceedingly fugitive, and re- 
 quires to be fixed with some such mordant as alum and 
 tartar. As an agricultural plant it gives comparatively 
 little trouble, and will flourish on almost any kind of 
 soil, although most luxuriant on a rich loam. It was 
 formerly cultivated to a much greater extent in 
 Britain than it is at present, but it is still considered a 
 valuable dye-stuff, and large quantities are imported 
 from France. 
 
 1. R. Luteola. (Dyer's Rocket.) Leaves narrow, 
 undivided ; calyx four-parted ; 2 3 feet high ; a plant 
 with shiny leaves and yellowish spike of flowers. 
 Chalk cliffs, Yentnor. 
 
 2. R.lutea. (Wild Mignonette.) Leaves three-cleft, 
 lower ones pinnatifid ; calyx six-parted ; petals 6, un- 
 equal ; more bushy than the last. Chalk cliffs, Vent- 
 nor; Niton, not so common. 
 
 OEDEE VL- CISTACEJE. Rock Eose tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5, unequal, the inner ones twisted in the bud; 
 petals 5 ', stamens numerous ; ovary single ; stigma 
 simple; capsule 3 5, rarely ten-valved ; plant) shrubby. 
 
 The beautiful but fragile order Cistaceae comprises 
 some 200 species, divided into four genera. Cistus 
 creticus and ladaniferus produce the gum ladanum of 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 15 
 
 commerce. It is gathered in Candia from the stems of 
 the plants by means of leather-toothed rakes. They 
 are mostly prolific in flowers, which, however, only last 
 one day, and open only in sunny weather. They vary 
 greatly in colour, being rose, white, yellow, mottled 
 chocolate and white, &c. Many handsome shrubs in 
 the Cistus order have been introduced into England. 
 
 HELIANTHEMUM. 
 
 Two outer sepals sometimes wanting; leaves with 
 fringed stipules. 
 
 1. H. vulgare. (Eock Eose.) Leaves oblong, 
 hoary beneath ; bright yellow flowers, which expand 
 only in sunshine. Chalk and hill pastures. Plentiful 
 on Ventnor Downs. 
 
 OEDER VII.-VIOLACE.ffi. Violet tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5; petals 5, not always equal; stamens 5; 
 anthers flattened; style with hooded stigma; ovary 
 one-celled, many-seeded. 
 
 The Violacea3 differ from the Droseracese on account 
 of their stipulate leaves, solitary style, and lengthened 
 embryo. The majority of the species are inhabitants 
 of a cold or temperate climate, some being found only 
 at great altitudes. Many beautiful hybrids of the 
 Pansy tribe are common in our gardens. There are 
 about nine species indigenous to Britain, more than 
 150 in foreign countries. The chief medical properties 
 of the order are emetic, principally extracted from the 
 root. Yiola odorata (sweet violet) is of two varieties, 
 blue and white; the white only is common in the 
 south, the blue apparently more plentiful in the mid- 
 
16 WILD FLOWEE8 
 
 lands. In the Isle of Wight a scented blue violet 
 really wild is rare. 
 
 VIOLA. 
 
 Sepals extended at the base ; petals unequal ; an- 
 thers united into a tube ; capsule three-valved. 
 
 1. V. hirta. (Hairy Violet.) Leaves heart-shaped 
 and rough; hairy; bracts below the middle of the 
 flower-stalk ; sepals obtuse ; lateral petals, with hairy 
 line; scentless; blue. Woods and hedgerows fre- 
 quent. 
 
 2 V. odorata . (Sweet Violet.) Leaves heart- 
 shaped, downy beneath ; bracts above the middle of 
 the flower-stalk ; scions creeping ; commonly white, 
 rarely blue in the Under cliff. Landslip ; Woods oppo- 
 site Mirables. 
 
 3. V. palustris. (Marsh Violet.) Leaves entirely 
 smooth, rather kidney-shaped ; spur very short ; root 
 creeping, but no scions; leaves light green; flower 
 pale lilac, with veins. Rare. Bogs near Alverstone ; 
 Rookley. 
 
 4. V. canina. (Dog Violet.) . Stem ascending ; 
 leaves acute ; sepals acute ; stipules long, toothed ; 
 bracts entire ; flowers pale blue, large, and scentless. 
 Common in woods everywhere. 
 
 5. V. tricolor. (Pansy.) Stem angular, branched ; 
 leaves oblong; stipules deeply cut; yellow, or white 
 and blue. Cultivated fields. 
 
 ORDER VIII. DROSERACEJE. Sundew tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5, equal ; petals 5 ; stamens either same 
 number or a multiple of it; styles 3 5; capsule 1 3 
 cells, 3 5 valves. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 17 
 
 The Sundew (Drosera) is a beautiful and interesting 
 genus of plants of the natural order Droseraceas. The 
 species inhabit marshes or inundated lands in all tem- 
 perate regions of the world, and are very singular in 
 structure. All parts of their foliage have an abun- 
 dance of glandular hairs, which bear at their extremity 
 viscid glands; and the irritability of these glands 
 causes them to contract and fold up when touched, so 
 that insects are imprisoned in their leaves. Many 
 interesting experiments have lately been made by Mr. 
 Darwin and Sir John Lubbock with regard to the 
 insect-catching properties of the Sundew, and they 
 seem to prove beyond a doubt that the plant has need 
 of extraneous nourishment beyond what it derives from 
 the soil in which it grows, and which is generally poor 
 in quality, and that the imprisoned insects serve it for 
 food. The whole plant is intensely acrid, and will 
 curdle milk ; and it is supposed that this acrid secre- 
 tion acts as a sort of digestive, preparing the animal 
 substance for the use of the plant. Leaves of the 
 Sundew have been found containing the entire skele- 
 tonized insect entangled in the glandular hairs. Only 
 three of the true Sundews occur wild in Britain. They 
 grow but a few inches high. The leaves, springing 
 from the root, spread out in a rosette, from the centre 
 of which springs the flower stem, with a raceme of 
 white flowers all on one side. 
 
 DROSERA. 
 
 Stamens 5 ; leaves clothed with glandular hairs ; 
 leaves alternate; flower stalks curled when in bud; 
 seldom found with flower expanded. 
 
 1. D. rotundifolia, (Round-leaved Sundew.) 
 
18 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 Leaves all from the root; leaf-stalks hairy; 2 6 
 inches high; leaves covered with red hairs; flowers 
 insignificant, white. The action of the sun causes 
 viscid drops to exude from each red hair, by means of 
 which insects are caught. Darwin has shown how the 
 plant derives its nourishment by these means, and has 
 made many curious experiments to prove this. Eook- 
 ley Wilderness ; Lake Common. The other two species 
 of Drosera, differing chiefly in the shape of the leaves, 
 are likely to be found in similar situations. 
 
 ORDER IX. POLYGALACEJE. Milkwort tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5, 2 larger than the rest ; petals 3 5 ; 
 stamens 8, in two equal sets ; anther one-celled ; 
 pistil 1 ; capsule 1 3, seeds hanging. 
 
 POLYGALA. 
 
 Inner sepals coloured ; petals joined to the filaments; 
 capsule flattened, two-valved, seeds downy. 
 
 1 . P. vulgaris. (Milkwort.) Lower petal crested ; 
 calyx wings equal to the corolla; 3 bracts at the base 
 of each flower ; stem ascending ; leaves narrow ; three 
 varieties blue, pink, and white. Common on the 
 chalk downs. 
 
 ORDER X. FRANKENIACEJE. Sea Heath tribe. 
 
 Sepals 4 5, united in a tube, not falling off; petals 
 equal to the sepals, usually having scales ; stamens 
 4 5 ; ovary 1 ; style four-cleft ; capsule one-celled, 
 three or four-valved, seeds minute. 
 
 FRANKENIA. 
 
 Lobes of style oblong, with stigma on the inner 
 side. 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 19 
 
 1. F. laevis. (Smooth Sea Heath.) Leaves nar- 
 row, rolled back at the edges; flowers terminal, or 
 from the axils of the stem, procumbent; rose colour. 
 Muddy salt marshes, St. Helen's. 
 
 ORDER XL CARYOPHYLLACE^E. CUckweed tribe. 
 
 Sepals distinct 4 5, sometimes connected with the 
 tube ; petals equal to the sepals ; stamens either same, 
 or twice the number ; ovary 1 ; stigma 2 5 ; capsule I 
 (usually) two or five-valved, seeds on a central column. 
 
 There are twenty-six genera in the natural order 
 Caryophyllacese. The genus Silene merits attention 
 because of the insect-catching powers of many species. 
 The stem of the Grerman, Nottingham, and Spanish 
 catchflies is viscid or sticky with a fluid contained in 
 the plant, and emitted through hairy glands. Small 
 insects are securely caught in this manner, from which 
 the plant probably derives nourishment. 
 
 Arenaria rubia, one of the sand worts, appears to 
 obtain nourishment from fragments of silex blown over 
 the plant by the wind. It grows only in situations 
 where such conditions are inevitable. Microscopic 
 observation will show minute grains of sand adhering 
 to the tubular hairs, and in the very tubes; further 
 than this, a section, either transverse or longitudinal, 
 reveals silex in the very cells. There is nothing very 
 improbable in this if we consider how the catchflies and 
 other plants feed on insects, only it is mineral support 
 the arenaria requires, like the barley, which obtains 
 silex through the roots. 
 
 Caryophyllus, or the Clove-tree, is an evergreen tro* 
 pical spice-tree, a native of the Moluccas. Its stem is 
 hard, with a smooth bark similar to a beech. The un- 
 
 c 2 
 
20 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 expanded flowers or calices previous to the development 
 of the petals form the cloves of commerce. Shaken 
 down from the tree, they are immediately immersed in 
 boiling water, exposed to heat and smoke, and spread 
 out to dry in the sunshine. An aromatic oil is also 
 distilled from cloves. 
 
 (1.) SILENE^B. 
 
 Sepals connected in a tube ; stamens united at the 
 base with the stalk of the ovary. 
 
 SILENE. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft; petals 5, with claws; stamens 10; 
 styles 3 ; capsule three-celled, 6 valves. 
 
 1. S. inflata. (Bladder Campion.) Erect; leaves 
 tapering ; flowers in drooping panicle ; calyx curiously 
 inflated, veined; white petals deeply cleft, rarely 
 crowned. Very common. 
 
 2. S. maritima. (Sea Campion.) Also with in- 
 flated calyx ; stem creeping ; leaves toothed ; leaves of 
 very different texture to the last, owing to the pre- 
 sence of alkaline salts ; quite a distinct species. St. 
 Helen's Spit, uncommon. 
 
 3. S. nutans. (Nottingham Catchfly.) Flowers 
 all hanging one way ; branches three-forked, opposite ; 
 calyx swollen; petals cleft and crowned; 1 2 feet 
 high, expands at night. St. Lawrence, Sandown Cliffs ; 
 rare ; white. 
 
 4 S. noctiflora. (Night - flowering Catchfly.) 
 Erect and forked ; calyx toothed, ten-ribbed ; expand 
 at night, and are fragrant. Upper Cliffs, St. Lawrence ; 
 rare; white. 
 
 5. S. anglica. (English Catchfly.) Hairy and 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 21 
 
 viscid; leaves narrow; flowers lateral, erect, and 
 alternate; petals crowned; 6 12 inches high; pinkish 
 white. Neighbourhood of Shanklin. 
 
 LYCHNIS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft, naked at the base ; petals 5, with 
 claw ; stamens united at the base to the ovary ; styles 5 ; 
 capsule 5 10 teeth. 
 
 1. L. Flos-CUCllli. (Ragged Robin.) Petals 
 deeply cleft, crowned; capsule five-toothed; leaves 
 narrow ; flowers pink ; in loose panicle. Common in 
 damp situations. 
 
 2. L. diurna. (Red Campion.) Stamens and 
 pistils produced on different plants ; petals two-cleft, 
 crowned ; capsule ten-toothed ; leaves tapering, downy ; 
 2 3 feet high ; rose colour. Common in woods. 
 
 3. L. VCSpertina. (Evening Campion.) Stamens 
 and pistils on different plants ; flowers white, fragrant 
 in the evening. Hedges ; common. 
 
 AGROSTEMMA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft, naked ; tough and divided ; stamens> 
 united at the ovary stalk, 10; petals undivided; cap- 
 sule 5 teeth. 
 
 1. A. GithagO, (Corn Cockle.) Calyx longer than 
 the corolla, not crowned ; seeds large ; purple. Common 
 in corn-fields with poppy, yellow ox eye, and blue- 
 bottle. 
 
 (2.) ALSINEJ3. 
 
 Sepals distinct ; stamens inserted in a ring beneath 
 the capsule, which has no stalk. 
 
 SAGINA. 
 Sepals 4 5, spreading when in fruit; petals 4 5, 
 
22 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 minute; stamens 4 10; styles 4 5; capsule four or 
 five-valved. 
 
 1. S. procumbens. (Procumbent Pearlwort.) Stem 
 creeping, smooth ; leaves narrow, pointed ; petals 
 shorter than the calyx; capsules curved; insignificant 
 Dry pastures ; common. 
 
 2. S. apetala. (Annual Pearlwort.) Stem erect, 
 hairy; leaves fringed; capsules erect. On walls or 
 waste ground. 
 
 3. S. maritima. (Sea Pearlwort.) Blunt, fleshy 
 leaves, no petals ; rare. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 SPERGULA. 
 
 Calyx 5; petals 5, undivided; capsule ovate, five- 
 celled, five-valved. 
 
 1. S. subulata. (Awl-leaved Spurrey.) Calyx 
 hairy; petals and capsule longer than calyx. Corn- 
 field near Shanklin ; rare. 
 
 2. S. nodosa. (Knotted Spurrey.) Leaves oppo- 
 site, glabrous, the lower one long ; petals longer than 
 calyx. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 3, S. arvensis. (Corn Spurrey.) Leaves in a 
 whorl, with stipules; flowers white. Very common 
 among corn. 
 
 MCENCHIA. 
 
 Sepals 4, erect; petals 4; stamens 4; styles 4; 
 capsule with 8 teeth. 
 
 1. M. erecta. (Upright Mcenchia.) A small plant 
 2 4 inches high; leaves glaucous; flowers white, 
 expands only in the bright sun. St. Helen's Spit, 
 Shanklin Down. 
 
 STELLARIA. 
 
 Sepals 5; petals 5, deeply two-clef t ; stamens 10; 
 styles 3 ; capsule 6 valves. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 23 
 
 1. S. media. (Chickweed.) Leaves egg-shaped 
 and pointed ; stem hairy, in a zigzag line ; petals not 
 longer than sepals ; stamens 5 10 ; flowers small, 
 white. Very common. 
 
 2. S. Holostea. (Great Stitchwort.) Erect, an- 
 gular, and rough ; leaves narrow ; petals twice as long 
 as sepals. Common. 
 
 3. S. graminea, (Lesser Stitchwort.) Flowers in 
 panicles, forked ; much smaller in all its parts than the 
 preceding ; petals very deeply divided ; all species are 
 white. Very common. 
 
 4. S. uliginosa, (Bog Stitchwort.) Stem spread- 
 ing, angular ; leaves broadly lanceolate, smooth ; 
 flowers panicled; petals shorter than veined sepals. 
 Common in marshes. 
 
 HONCKENYA. 
 
 Sepals 5; petals 5, two-cleft; stamens 10; styles 3 5 ; 
 seeds large ; flower imperfect. 
 
 1. H. peploides. (Sea Purslane.) Leaves sessile, 
 egg or heart-shaped, acute and fleshy ; sepals obtuse ; 
 leaves in four rows ; flowers white. Common in the 
 sand; St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 ABENARIA. 
 
 Sepals 5 ; petals 5, entire; stamens 10; styles 3; 
 capsule six-valved ; seeds many, minute. 
 
 1. A. trinervis, (Three-ribbed Sandwort.) Leaves 
 ovate, three-nerved ; flowers solitary from the axil of the 
 stem ; undivided petals. Moist situations ; abundant. 
 
 2. A. serpyllifolia. (Thyme-leaved Sandwort.) 
 Leaves ovate, sessile, rough; stem forked, downy; 
 2 6 inches high ; white flowers. Very common. There 
 are two other varieties ; one in salt marshes. 
 
24 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 CERASTIUM. 
 
 Sepals 5; petals 5, two-cleft; stamens 5 10; styles 
 5 ; capsule tubular, 5 10 teeth. 
 
 1. C. triviale. (Narrow Mouse-ear Chick weed.) 
 Leaves lanceolate; stem viscid., spreading and hairy. 
 Dry banks and walls ; common. There are three other 
 species differing slightly. 
 
 MALACHIUM. 
 
 Sepals 5; petals 5, two-cleft; stamens 10, 5 with 
 glands ; capsule with 5 valves. 
 
 1. M. aquaticum. (Water Chick weed.) Lower 
 leaves stalked, all hairy on the margin ; much branched, 
 straggling; flowers white in the angles. Grodshill 
 Marshes, Brading. Not common. 
 
 ORDEE XIL LINAGES. Flax tribe. 
 
 Sepals 35, overlapping in bud; petals 3 5, soon 
 falling; stamens alternate with petals, having small 
 teeth between them ; ovary 3 5 ; styles 3 5 ; capsule 
 globular; seeds 1, in imperfect cells:; leaves undivided. 
 
 Among plants of the order Linaceas we find the Flax 
 of commerce. Many are acquainted with the beautiful 
 green of the flax-fields of Italy at certain seasons of the 
 year, a green almost unrivalled in its intensity ; or later 
 on, the delicate blue of the quickly-fading flowers 
 which attract the wearied eyes of travellers by Italian 
 railroads. Few species are indigenous to Britain, 
 and about sixty have been scientifically described 
 from foreign countries. All the calices of the genus 
 have five sepals, the corolla petals are inferior, and 
 the capsule is ten-ceiled. Although some cultiva- 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 25 
 
 tion of flax always goes on in England, it has never 
 extended very greatly, owing to the precarious nature 
 of the crop in our uncertain climate. Linseed oil is 
 extracted from flax-seed, obtained by bruising and then 
 pressing the seed. The value of flax can hardly be over- 
 estimated, and it is probable that the state of Ireland 
 may, in the future, be materially improved through the 
 cultivation of flax and manufacture of linen ; that in- 
 dustry is the one bright spot in Irish progress. Besides 
 the linen factories, there is an extensive demand for 
 flax in the composition of oil-cake for cattle, a valu- 
 able article necessary to all farmers. 
 
 LINUM. 
 
 Sepals and petals 5 ; capsule ten-valved, ten-celled. 
 
 1. L. angustifolium. (Narrow-leaved Flax.) 
 Leaves very narrow, pointed ; sepals three-ribbed ; light 
 blue. Along the cliffs between Sandown and Shank- 
 lin. Plentiful. 
 
 2. L. catharticum. (Cathartic Flax.) Leaves 
 broader at the base, opposite; sepals pointed; small 
 white flowers, drooping. .Downs and chalk banks. 
 Common. 
 
 RADIOLA. 
 
 Sepals 4, connected ; three-cleft ; petals 4 ; capsule 
 eight-valved, eight-celled. 
 
 1. R. millegran a. (Thyme-leaved Flax.) A tiny 
 plant. Stem forked, leaves opposite ; small white 
 flowers. Not common ; where the Niton, Godshill, and 
 Chale roads join, in moist places. 
 
 ORDER XIII. MALVACEAE. Mallow tribe. 
 Sepals 5, mostly united at the base ; sometimes an 
 
26 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 outer calyx ; petals 5, twisted when in bud ; stamens 
 numerous, united in a tube ; ovary of several carpels 
 united ; styles equal to carpels ; capsules one-seeded. 
 
 The Malvaceas comprise many beautiful genera of 
 plants, besides our English mallows. The tropical 
 Hibiscus is in this order, as well as the Tree Mallows 
 and Hollyhocks of our old-fashioned gardens. The 
 common mallows have wonderful healing powers. 
 Horses which have been dangerously staked or injured 
 may often be cured by fomentation of mallow ; leaves, 
 stalk, flowers all the plant being boiled up together 
 for poultices. For microscopic study the pollen of a 
 mallow is a most exquisite object, each grain being 
 like a crystal. A common mistake is made with re- 
 gard to the Marsh Mallow, which is rose-coloured, and 
 not very abundant. It is the large yellow Marsh 
 Marigold which is so frequently confused with the mal- 
 low. The Tree Mallow, or Lavatera, common on the 
 Mediterranean, is a very handsome plant, with ample 
 foliage and rose-coloured flowers. About twenty or 
 thirty species have been introduced from that part of 
 Europe. 
 
 MALYA. 
 
 Styles numerous; outer calyx three-leaved, inner 
 one five-cleft. 
 
 1. M. sylvestris. (Common Mallow.) Stem 
 erect ; leaves kidney-shaped, seven-lobed ; fruit rough, 
 not downy; very common in waste places; purple 
 flowers. 
 
 2. M. rotund if olia. (Dwarf Mallow.) Stem creep- 
 ing ; leaves heart-shaped, five-lobed ; flowers pale lilac. 
 Frequent by roadside, especially near towns or vil- 
 lages. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 27 
 
 LAVATERA. 
 
 Styles numerous ; outer calyx tbree-lobed, inner one 
 five-cleft. 
 
 1. L. arborea. (Sea Tree Mallow.) A handsome 
 plant, 6 12 feet high, woody. Leaves soft and an- 
 gular ; many purple flowers. Luccombe Beach. Hardly 
 wild. 
 
 ALTHAEA. 
 
 Styles numerous ; outer calyx six or nine-cleft. 
 
 1. A. officinalis. (Marsh Mallow.) Leaves three 
 or five-lobed, soft and downy ; flowers pink, in clusters. 
 Near Brading Harbour. 
 
 The pollen of all the mallows is a beautiful object 
 under a microscope. 
 
 OEDEE XIV. TILIACE.E. Lime tribe. 
 
 Sepals 4 5 ; petals 4 5, sometimes wanting ; sta- 
 mens numerous ; glands to each petal ; ovary single, 
 of 2 10 carpels; style 1 ; stigma equal to carpels. 
 
 TILIA. 
 
 Sepals 5, soon falling ; ovary five-celled ; capsule two- 
 seeded. 
 
 T. parvifolia. (Small-leaved Lime.) Leaves heart- 
 shaped, smooth on both sides ; capsule brittle ; a tree 
 with beautiful bright green leaves ; very sweet smell- 
 ing ; in our locality quite wild. Near Wilmington. 
 
 OEDEE XV. HYPEHICACE^. St. John's Wort tribe. 
 
 Sepals 4 5, not falling off, sometimes dotted ; sta- 
 mens numerous, united at the base ; ovary single ; 
 
28 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 styles 3 5 ; capsule berry-like, with several cells ; 
 seeds minute. 
 
 The St. John's Wort is a large and diversified genus 
 of ornamental plants, constituting the type of the 
 natural order Hypericaceae, containing about 300 
 known species, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, 
 widely distributed over the world, and in very different 
 climates, but particularly numerous in North America. 
 The leaves are generally covered with pellucid dots, 
 and the edges of the leaves, sepals, and petals, bordered 
 with black glands. Of the genus Hypericum many 
 species are common natives of Great Britain, adorning 
 woods and heaths with their bright yellow flowers. 
 The common St. John's Wort (H. perforatum) was 
 formerly held in great estimation for the fancied pro- 
 perty of influencing enchantments; and was, at one 
 time, carried about their persons by the Scotch pea- 
 santry as a charm against witchcraft ! On St. John's 
 Day the country people of France and Germany still 
 gather it as a preservative against thunder ! 
 
 The Tutsan, or Park-leaves (H. androssemurn), re- 
 garded by some modern botanists" as constituting a 
 separate genus (Androsaemum officinal e), is also a 
 native of Britain, with berry-like fruit. It was once 
 held in great esteem as a vulnerary, its English 
 name, Tutsan, being derived from the French " tout 
 sain 33 (all whole). The Hypericaceae are all somewhat 
 allied to the gum and resinous families. All have a 
 large quantity of resinous juice, sometimes exceedingly 
 like gamboge. 
 
 HYPERICUM. 
 
 Sepals 5 ; petals 5 ; stamens numerous; filaments in 
 sets 3 5 : capsule three-celled. 
 
OP THE UNDEBCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 29 
 
 1. H. Androssemum. (Common Tutsan). A shrub. 
 Leaves egg-shaped, sessile ; sepals unequal ; 2 3 feet 
 high ; large clusters of yellow flowers, with resinous 
 smell. The Landslip. 
 
 2. H. perforation. (Perforated St. John's Wort.) 
 Erect ; stem two-edged ; leaves opposite, perforated 
 with pellucid dots ; styles 3 ; 2 feet high ; many yellow 
 flowers. Common. 
 
 3. H. quadranglllum. (Square-stalked St. John's 
 Wort.) Stem erect ; four-angled ; leaves egg-shaped ; 
 with pellucid dots ; sepals erect ; panicles of yellow 
 flowers. Damp places ; common. 
 
 4. H, hirsutum. (Hairy St. John's Wort.) Erect, 
 round stem, and downy. Leaves downy ; sepals fringed. 
 Appuldurcombe Woods. 
 
 5. H. montanum. (Mountain St. John's Wort.) 
 Stem erect, round, smooth ; leaves oblong, sessile, dots 
 near the edge; sepals fringed. About 2 feet high. 
 Pelham Woods ; rare. 
 
 6. H. pulchrum. (Small Upright St. John's 
 Wort.) Erect, smooth, round stem; leaves heart- 
 shaped; petals and sepals fringed with glands; buds 
 red ; petals yellow. Downs. 
 
 7. H. Elodes. (Marsh St. John's Wort.) Stem 
 creeping; branches erect; leaves nearly round, horny; 
 flowers pale yellow, open only short time. Kookley 
 Wilderness. 
 
 OKDER XYI. ACERACEJE. Maple tribe. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; petals same number ; stamens about 
 8 ; ovary two-lobed ; style 1 ; stigma two-celled ; one 
 or two-seeded. 
 
30 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ACER. 
 
 1. A, campestre. (Common Maple.) Leaves five- 
 lobed; flowers erect; a small tree. Hedges; com- 
 mon. 
 
 ORDER XYIL GERANIACEJ3. Geranium tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5, ribbed, overlapping in bud ; stamens 10 ; 
 ovary of 5 carpels round an awl-shaped beak; styles 5, 
 united ; stigmas 5 ; capsules 5, one-seeded. 
 
 The genus Geranium is the type of the order Gera- 
 niaceae. The order is distinguished from all others by 
 the peculiar structure of its capsule. Five cases, with 
 the same number of their styles round a long conical 
 beak, constitute the fruit. At the time of maturity 
 the styles roll back, and the parts are difficult to sepa- 
 rate. The name of Cranesbill has been given to the 
 order, from a resemblance in form of the capsule to 
 the bill of a crane. The blue Meadow Cranesbill is 
 one of our handsomest wild flowers ; and if a culti- 
 vated species of blue Pelargonium is ever obtained, it 
 will be through this wild species. G. sanguineum 
 (Blood-red Cranesbill) ought to find a more prominent 
 place in our gardens. As a brilliant border plant few 
 could rival it. The Geranium tribe have no tendrils, 
 but they produce their peduncles in such a manner 
 as to correspond closely with tendrils of the Viniferas. 
 Another point of relationship between Vine and Gera- 
 nium is the jointed stem common to both. The genus 
 Erodium is remarkable for the capsules, which have a 
 curious power of moving or creeping after they are 
 cast off from the plant. All the garden pelargoniums 
 belong to this tribe of geraniums. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 31 
 
 GERANIUM. 
 
 Stamens 10, alternately long and short ; fruit beaked; 
 capsules 5, with long awn, not bearded. 
 
 1. G. Robertianum. (Herb Robert.) Stem 
 spreading ; leaves deeply cut ; sepals angular ; cap- 
 sules hairy ; stem red ; flowers pink. Yery common. 
 
 2. G. lucidum. (Shining Cranesbill.) Leaves 
 glossy, nearly round; five-lobed; sepals angular; cap- 
 sules two-keeled, wrinkled. A small species, with rose- 
 coloured flowers. Stone walls, St. Lawrence; Pelham 
 Woods. Not common. 
 
 3. G. rotimdifolium. (Round-leaved Cranesbill.) 
 Plant downy ; leaves round, cut, and lobed ; petals 
 entire; capsules hairy; not very common; pink. Near 
 St. Lawrence. 
 
 4. G. molle. (DoveVfoot Cranesbill.) Downy; 
 leaves round, cut, and lobed; capsule not hairy. Yery 
 common ; petals notched, a distinguishing mark. 
 
 5. G. pusillum. (Small-flowered Cranesbill.) 
 Downy; resembles molle, only much smaller. Waste 
 places ; common. 
 
 6. G. dissectum. (Jagged Cranesbill.) Stem 
 spreading, hairy; leaves divided into narrow segments; 
 pink. Yery common. 
 
 7. G. columbinum. (Long-stalked Cranesbill.) 
 Stem spreading, hairy; leaves five-lobed; flower- 
 stalks very long ; flowers larger, purple, tinged almost 
 imperceptibly with blue. Bembridge ; Brading. Rare. 
 
 With Geraniums, mark the root-leaves well. 
 
 ERODIUM. 
 
 Stamens 10, 5 imperfect; 5 glands at the base; fruit 
 beaked and bearded. 
 
32 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 1. E. cicutarium. (Hemlock-leaved Storksbill.) 
 Stem prostrate, hairy; stalks many-flowered; leaves 
 pinnate ; pink or lilac flowers, which soon fall. Near 
 Cripple Path. 
 
 2. E. maritimum. (Sea Storksbill.) Stem 
 prostrate, hairy ; few-flowered ; leaves oblong, heart- 
 shaped ; smaller than preceding species. St. Helen's 
 Spit. 
 
 ORDER XVIII. OXALIDACE^. Wood Sorrel tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5 ; petals 5, twisted in the bud ; stamens 10, 
 5 short: ovary three or five-celled; styles 3 5; cap- 
 sule 3 5. 
 
 The little Oxalis is the only British representative of 
 a large thalamiflorous order, the Oxalidaceas. The sensi- 
 tive tri-lobed leaf is a general inhabitant of wood- 
 lands. In early spring, as the anemone begins to fade, 
 the delicate sorrel puts forth its fresh leaves under 
 the shelter of old stumps, or half hidden in a carpet 
 of moss. By some writers the Oxalis is said to be the 
 Shamrock of St. Patrick. It is evident either wood- 
 sorrel or clover would equally serve as the required 
 emblem. At the Cape of Good Hope many species of 
 Oxalis are known, and have been introduced into this 
 country. A four-leaved wood-sorrel (Oxalis tetraphylla) 
 is a native of Mexico, having inversely hearted-shaped, 
 radical leaves, and purplish flowers, either single or 
 four together. 
 
 OXALIS. 
 
 Sepals united below. 
 
 1. 0. Acetosella. Leaves directly from the root, 
 three-lobed, as the Shamrock ; flowers white and beau- 
 
OF THE UNDEKCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 33 
 
 tifully pencilled. Abundant in woods in the early 
 spring. 
 
 OEDEK XIX. CELASTRACE^I. Spindle Tree tribe. 
 
 Sepals 4 5, overlapping in bud, inserted on a fleshy 
 disc ; petals 4 5, alternate with them ; ovary two or 
 five-celled ; capsule 2 5 cells, berry-like. 
 
 The Spindle Tree order and the Rhamnacese, or 
 Buckthorn tribe, are very nearly allied, differing only 
 in minute botanical characters of the stamens, sepals, 
 and ovarium. The fruit of the Buckthorn is not un- 
 wholesome, while the bark of the plant is a violent 
 emetic. The berries are very succulent, and have a 
 deep green juice. The well-known pigment called 
 sap-green is prepared from this juice, combined with 
 an alkali. One species, a native of China, is much 
 used as a substitute for tea by the poorer natives, and 
 is commonly known as the tea-plant ; it is an ever- 
 green shrub, with greenish flowers. 
 
 The Common Spindle, with its three-lobed, coral- 
 like berries, is well known in our hedgerows. 
 
 EUONYMUS. 
 
 Capsule 3 5 angles, with 3 5 cells; each one- 
 seeded, with fleshy coating. 
 
 1. E. europSBUS. (Common Spindle Tree.) Petals 
 4, acute; stamens 4; branches angular; leaves broadly 
 lanceolate, finely serrated; flowers greenish; berry 
 coral-like. St. Lawrence. 
 
 OKDER XX. RHAMNACE.E. Buckthorn tribe. 
 Calyx four or five-cleft; petals 4 5; stamens 4 5, 
 
34 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 opposite each petal ; ovary superior, two or four-celled, 
 with fleshy disc ; seeds several in number. 
 
 RHAMNUS. 
 
 Calyx vase-shaped; petals sometimes wanting; 
 shrub. 
 
 1. R. Frangllla. (Alder Buckthorn.) Thorns 
 wanting ; flower perfect, five- cleft ; leaves smooth and 
 entire; berry two-seeded; G 10 feet high; dark 
 leaves ; greenish flowers. America Woods. 
 
 ORDER XXI -LEGUMINOSJE. Pea and Sean tribe. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft, the odd lobe in front ; petals 5, 
 butterfly-like ; stamens 10, either united or in sets of 
 9 and 1 ; ovary, style, and stigma single ; seed-vessel 
 a pod, two-valved. 
 
 Leguminous plants may be numbered by thousands, 
 and comprise all having legumes or pods similar to the 
 pea and bean. Clovers, vetches, acacias, laburnums, 
 wisteria, mimosa, coral-tree, cassia, and hundreds of 
 well-known genera are included in the order. Liquorice 
 is extracted from a plant of this tribe, Glycyrrhiza 
 glabra (or Liquortia officinalis), which is a native of 
 Syria, Spain, and Languedoc, where it is a troublesome 
 weed to cultivators. The root runs deeply into light 
 sandy soils, and has a pale yellow saccharine juice. It 
 grows three to five feet high, has a striated stem and 
 few branches; the leaves are alternate and pinnate; 
 the flowers have a blue or purplish colour. The plant 
 is cultivated in England for economical purposes, 
 chiefly for the druggist and brewer. The roots require 
 three years to mature sufficiently for profit, so that it 
 is common to grow a crop of onions or such like be- 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 35 
 
 tween the rows. A fair crop yields from eighteen to 
 twenty cwt., returning an average price of 45s. per 
 cwt. ; on the other hand the cost amounts to 10Z. 
 per acre for its cultivation. The root contains sugar, 
 starch, and resinous oil, and other elements in certain 
 proportion. The well-known extract of liquorice is 
 obtained by pouring boiling water over sliced sections 
 of the root a gallon of water to a pound of root ; 
 the whole is boiled down to one half of the original 
 volume, which is strained and evaporated to the re- 
 quired consistency. In Italy the roots are sometimes 
 pressed out in an olive mill. 
 
 ULEX. 
 
 Calyx of 2 sepals, with small bracts; pod short, 
 swollen ; few-seeded. 
 
 1. IT. europSBUS, (Common Gorse.) Common 
 everywhere. 
 
 2. U. nanUS. (Dwarf Gorse.) Calyx spreading ; 
 bracts adhering to calyx; quite a small plant. St. 
 Helen's Spit. 
 
 GENISTA. 
 
 Calyx two-lipped, the upper two-cleft, the lower with 
 3 teeth; style awl-shaped; pod swollen or flat; a 
 shrub. 
 
 1. G. anglica. (Needle Green Weed.) Stem 
 thorny at the base ; leaves simple, narrow, smooth ; 
 pod inflated ; a small shrub ; flowers in clusters, yel- 
 low. Godshill. 
 
 2. G. tinctoria. (Dyer's Green Weed). No thorns; 
 leaves narrow, acute ; flowers in yellow clusters ; pod 
 flat, smooth; about 1 foot high, stem tough. Brading 
 Marshes; Rookley. 
 
 D 2 
 
36 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 SAROTHAMNUS. 
 
 Calyx two-lipped, with 2 and 3 teeth respectively ; 
 standard ovate; style thickened; pod flat, many-seeded; 
 leaves simple ; pod not jointed. 
 
 1. S. Scoparius. (Common Broom.) A very 
 abundant plant on sandy banks ; mostly yellow ; occa- 
 sionally white. 
 
 ONONIS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft, segments narrow ; beaked keel ; 
 style thread-like; pod swollen, few-seeded; leaflets 
 single, or of three ; pod unjointed. 
 
 1. 0, arvensis. (Rest Harrow.) Plant hairy; 
 leaflets toothed ; flowers rose colour, axillary ; calyx 
 short; thorny; very common; one variety creeps, 
 another stands upright. 
 
 MEDICAGO. 
 
 Leaf in leaflets of 3 ; stamens 9 and 1 ; pod sickle- 
 shaped. 
 
 1. M. lupulina. (Black Me'dick.) Leaflets toothed, 
 inversely egg-shaped ; stipules almost entire ; flowers 
 in dense heads ; pod rough, one-seeded ; yellow. Dry 
 pastures. 
 
 2. M. maculata. (Spotted Medick.) Leaflets 
 inversely egg-shaped ; stipule toothed ; flowers small, 
 yellow, 2 4 together ; pods twisted in a prickly ball ; 
 each leaf with a black spot. St. Helen's Spit; Pel- 
 ham 'Woods, St. Lawrence. 
 
 3. M. denticulata. (Toothed Medick.) Stipules 
 jagged ; pods loosely spiral ; prickles hooked ; yellow ; 
 rare Sandown Bay. 
 
TRIFOLIUK ARVENSE (P.37) 
 L. Reeve & C? London. 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 37 
 
 MELILOTUS. 
 
 Calyx 5, nearly equal teeth ; petals separate, soon 
 falling ; pod with few seeds, longer than calyx ; leaflets 
 of 3; stamens 9 and t. 
 
 L M. officinalis. (Yellow Melilot.) Erect; leaf- 
 lets narrow, serrated ; flowers all one side the stem ; 
 pod two-seeded ; 2 3 feet high ; light green foliage ; 
 abundant. The Landslip. 
 
 2. M. leucantha. (White Melilot.) The standard 
 longer than the keel ; flowers white ; rare. Yentnor. 
 
 TBIGIONELLA. 
 
 Calyx 5, nearly equal teeth ; petals distinct ; pod 
 nearly straight, many-seeded ; stamens 9 and 1 ; leaf- 
 let of 3. 
 
 1. T. ornithopodioides. (BirdVfoot Fenugreek.) 
 Flowers few ; pod with 8 seeds, double the length of 
 the calyx ; prostrate ; with reddish flowers. Not com- 
 mon. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 TRIFOLIUM. 
 
 Calyx of 5, unequal teeth; petals combined; pod 
 few-seeded, concealed in calyx ; leaflet of 3 ; stamens 
 9 and 1. 
 
 1. T. repens. (Dutch Clover.) The common 
 white clover in every field and by the roadside. Pod 
 with several seeds. 
 
 2. T. pratense. (Purple Clover.) Calyx hairy; 
 stipules broad. The common purple clover. Every- 
 where. 
 
 3. T. arvense. (Hare's-foot Trefoil.) Flowers in 
 terminal heads, soft and downy; calyx teeth hairy, 
 
00 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 longer than corolla ; erect and branched ; pale-pink 
 flowers, nearly concealed ; not common. St. Helen's 
 Spit. 
 
 4. T. scabrum. (Rigid Trefoil.) Flowers in 
 prickly heads, terminal and axillary ; calyx teeth un- 
 equal, rigid, spreading; very inconspicuous; white. 
 St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 5. T. Striatum, (Soft Knotted Trefoil.) Flowers 
 in downy heads, terminal and axillary ; calyx rigid, 
 furrowed, awl-shaped teeth; swollen when in fruit; 
 stem ascending; plant covered with silky hairs; flowers 
 light purple. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 6. T. glomeratum. (Smooth round-headed Tre- 
 foil.) Flowers in prickly heads, terminal and axillary; 
 calyx teeth broad, reflexed ; prostrate ; heads round ; 
 leaves white-spotted ; flowers bright pink. St. Helen's 
 Spit. 
 
 7. T. SUbterraneum. (Subterraneous Trefoil.) 
 Flowers 3 5, axillary; branched fibres, penetrating 
 into the ground ; very small plant ; white ; bracts large. 
 Steephill; Luccombe. 
 
 8. T. suffocation, Stem spreading ; head round, 
 sessile ; petals shorter than the calyx ; in loose sand. 
 St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 9. T. procumbens. (Hop Trefoil.) Flowers in 
 round yellow heads ; leaves stalked. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 10. T. filiforme. (Lesser Yellow Trefoil.) Flowers 
 3 12 in loose heads; leaves almost sessile; abundant 
 in dry pastures. Other species maybe found on St. 
 St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 LOTUS. 
 
 Calyx 5, teeth nearly equal ; keel beaked ; pod round, 
 many-seeded ; stamens 9 and 1 ; leaflets of 3. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 39 
 
 1. L. major. (Great BirdVfoot Trefoil.) Flowers 
 in umbels 8 10; calyx spreading; erect; hairy, yel- 
 low. Landslip. 
 
 2. L. COrniculatllS. (Common BirdVfoot Trefoil.) 
 Calyx not spreading; stem prostrate. Boniface Downs, 
 plentiful. 
 
 L. angustissimus may probably be discovered on 
 the sea cliffs. Flowers 3 4 ; plant hairy ; calyx teeth 
 very long. 
 
 ANTHYLLIS. 
 
 Leaves pinnate ; stamens united ; calyx 5, inflated ; 
 pod enclosed in calyx. 
 
 A, vulneraria. (Kidney Vetch.) Very common 
 on the cliffs. A hardy plant, with hoary leaves and 
 yellow flowers. 
 
 ASTRAGALUS. 
 
 Stamens 9 and 1 ; keel of corolla blunt ; pod two- 
 celled ; leaves pinnate, with terminal leaflet. 
 
 1. A. glycyphyllos. (Sweet Milk Vetch.) Pros- 
 trate; leaves longer than flower-stalk; pods curved, 
 smooth ; stem 23 feet long ; spikes of dull creamy- 
 yellow flowers. Below Buddie, Niton. 
 
 VICIA. 
 
 Calyx 5; style thread-like, with wing of down; leaves 
 pinnate, with tendrils at the end ; pod not jointed ; 
 stamens 9 and 1. 
 
 1. V. sylvatica. (Wood Vetch.) Leaflets about 
 8 pairs ; stipules crescent-shaped, toothed ; 3 6 feet 
 high, climbing, flowers cream-colour, blue veins. Not 
 common. Luccombe Copse. 
 
 2. V. Cracca. The Common Vetch, with clusters 
 
40 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 of bright purple flowers, climbing over Ledges by the 
 roadside. A very handsome species. 
 
 3. V. sativa. (Common Vetch.) Flowers in 
 pairs ; stalks short ; leaflets 5 7 pairs ; stipules half 
 arrow-shaped, toothed, having a dark spot; purple or 
 red flowers. Common. 
 
 4. V. lathyroides. (Spring Vetch.) Flowers 
 solitary, sessile ; pods smooth ; leaflets 2 3 pairs ; 
 stipules entire, not marked with a spot ; smaller than 
 the last; 6 inches long; bright purple. Sandown 
 Bay. 
 
 . 5. V. sepium. (Bush Vetch.) Flowers in axillary 
 clusters 4 6 ; pods smooth ; creeping over bushes ; 
 bluish purple. Common. 
 
 6. V. hirsuta. (Tare.) Flowers in clusters; 
 pods hairy, two-seeded ; slender plant, with very small 
 bluish-white flowers. Common. 
 
 7. V. tetrasperma. (Smooth Tare.) Flowers 
 2, together, on slender stalk; pods smooth, four- 
 seeded ; light purple. Common. 
 
 8. V. gracilis. (Slender Vetch.) Flowers 1 4; 
 pods six or eight-seeded; perhaps a variety. Near 
 Culver Cliff. 
 
 9. V. Bobartii. A variety of sativa. Occurs in 
 the Isle of Wight. 
 
 LATHYRUS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft : style flattened, downy beneath the 
 stigma ; leaves with tendrils ; stamens 9 and 1 ; leaves 
 pinnate. 
 
 1. L. pratensis. (Meadow Vetchling.) Leaf 2 
 narrow leaflets ; stipules large, arrow-shaped ; bright 
 yellow. Common. 
 
L AT H YRU S L AT I F L I U 3 (P41.) 
 LReeve &.C?Lon< 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 41 
 
 2. L. latifolius. (Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea.) 
 Leaflets broad ; climbing 5 6 feet ; flowers in clusters, 
 rose colour. Landslip. 
 
 3. L. Nissolia. (Crimson Vetching.) Leaves 
 narrow, grass-like ; flowers single, crimson ; no ten- 
 drils. Chale; Brading. 
 
 ORNITHOPUS. 
 
 Pod curved and jointed, each cell with 1 seed; keel 
 small ; leaves pinnate, with odd leaflet. 
 
 1. 0. perpusilllis. (Common BirdVfoot.) A very 
 small creeping plant; leaflets 6 12, with one odd; 
 flower minute, cream colour, veined with crimson. St. 
 Helen's Spit. 
 
 HIPPOCREPIS. 
 
 Pod crescent-shaped, jointed, each pod many- 
 notched; keel narrow and beak-like; leaves pinnate, 
 with odd leaflet. 
 
 H. comosa, (Horse-shoe Vetch.) Very common 
 on the Downs. Flowers in yellow umbel. 
 
 ONOBRYCHIS. 
 
 Pod straight, one-celled, one-seeded ; leaves pinnate ; 
 1012; with odd leaflet. 
 
 0. sativa. (Saintfoin.) Flowers in a handsome 
 crimson spike, striped. Common. Bifle Valley, Vent- 
 nor. 
 
 ORDER XXIL BOSACE-ffi. Eose tribe. 
 
 Calyx generally five-lobed, sometimes 4, 8, or 10; 
 petals 5, regular; stamens usually more than 12, at- 
 tached to the calyx ; carpels many, or single ; styles 
 distinct ; fruit a drupe ; erect capsules ; nut-like seeds 
 
42 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 in fleshy receptacle, enclosed in the fleshy tube of the 
 calyx, or a pome (apple). 
 
 The tribes which constitute the order Rosaceas are 
 of infinite variety, and perplexing to the botanist ; few 
 indeed of our eminent authorities agree among them- 
 selves as to the specific distinctions of roses or bram- 
 bles. The difficulties must be great where we find in- 
 cluded, besides the rose, the strawberry, potentilla, 
 bramble, avens, burnet, ladies' mantle, hawthorn, 
 medlar, quince, cotoneaster, loquat, pear, apple, ser- 
 vice, almond, peach, apricot, plum, and cherry. 
 
 The Wild Rose, with its innumerable varieties, has 
 been noticed as characteristic of the English road- 
 sides from time immemorial. That great general, 
 Julius Cassar, with all his fighting and marching, 
 found time to note the prevalence of roses in the 
 country he was conquering. They are climbing or 
 trailing plants. R. spinosissima (Burnet Rose) is 
 characterized by numerous equal bractless prickles, 
 persistent sepals, and scarcely any disc ; another (the 
 Cinnamon Rose) is bracteate and unarmed, has gland- 
 less leaflets, and a slender disc; a third has unequal 
 bracteate prickles, rugose leaflets, and a thick disc ; 
 a fourth (Sweet Briar) has arched branches, unequal 
 prickles, glandular leaflets, persistent sepals, and thick 
 disc ; while the common Dog Rose has arched branches, 
 equal hooked prickles, glandless leaves, deciduous 
 sepals, and a disc; a sixth (Villars Rose) has erect 
 branches, straight prickles, persistent sepals, and a 
 thick disc ; and a dozen other species might be named 
 differing from these seven and from each other. In 
 Hardwicke's Science Gossip for June, 1880, a clear and 
 concise study of British wild roses was published, to 
 
OP THE UNDEECL1FF AND ITS VICINITY. 43 
 
 which readers are referred for further information. 
 We are all familiar with the bright autumn Hip, a 
 fleshy extension of the calyx, which contains the 
 angular seeds in a packing of loose, silky bristles. 
 Six species of the sub-genus Dog Rose are found in 
 our hedgerows : Sherard's, Forster's, the naked, the 
 twiggy, the spriggy, and the bractescent all of 
 which have pink flowers. The twiggy and spriggy 
 are trailers, the other four are upright. 
 
 Four species of the sub-genus Scotch Rose may be 
 met with on sandy heaths, sea shores, or moorlands. 
 
 The Apple, or Villars Rose, is distinguished easily 
 in winter time by its red, smooth bark. It has few 
 prickles, but those few strong and sharp. The leaves 
 are large and hairy, downy beneath. The fruit is 
 apple-like, covered with soft prickles, and preserved 
 makes a palatable sweetmeat. 
 
 With regard to pears, plums, and other wild fruits, 
 it is very remarkable that they possess thorns, which 
 invariably disappear through the process of cultiva- 
 tion. This might be applied to mankind. Education 
 (i.e., cultivation) tends to remove the thorns and rough- 
 nesses of nature ; hence the race is improved. 
 
 The genus Rubus (Bramble), &c., form the sub-order 
 Potentillidae. Fifteen species, besides numberless varie- 
 ties, have been ascertained to grow wild in England, Scot- 
 land and Wales, The greater number have palmate 
 leaves, six have simply lobed leaves, and ten pinnate. 
 A double-flowered variety is occasionally met with a 
 beautiful though, perhaps, accidental form. The 
 thornless variety (R. inermis) has bluish leaves, but is 
 remarkable because thornless and perfectly smooth. 
 This peculiarity has excited great attention among 
 
44 
 
 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 botanists. Several garden species, with extremely 
 handsome foliage, have been introduced into England. 
 The cloudberry, dewberry, and raspberry, are in- 
 cluded in the genus Rubus. 
 
 (1.) AMYGDALE^E. Almond group. 
 Pistil solitary ; fruit a drupe or seed, enclosed in a 
 hard case, and surrounded by fleshy pulp and rind. 
 
 PRUNUS. 
 
 Nut of the drupe smooth. 
 
 1. P. domestica. (Wild Plum.) Fruit covered 
 with bloom; young leaves rolled together ; no thorns. 
 Bank End, St. Lawrence. 
 
 2. P. COmmunis. Fruit with bloom ; leaves 
 rolled together ; flowers solitary or in pairs ; branches 
 very thorny. The sloe or blackthorn. Common. 
 
 3. P, Padus. (Bird Cherry.) Fruit without bloom ; 
 young leaves folded ; flowers in clusters ; leaves narrow. 
 Cook's Castle. 
 
 4. P. Avium. (Wild Cherry.) Fruit without 
 bloom ; leaves folded ; flowers in umbels ; leaves droop- 
 ing, downy beneath; calyx contracted; fruit heart- 
 shaped. America Wood, Shanklin. 
 
 (2.) SPIREID^E. Meadow Sweet group. 
 Seeds in capsules, opening at the side. 
 
 SPIR^A. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; stamens numerous ; capsules 3 12. 
 
 1. S. TJlmaria, (Meadow Sweet.) Leaves pin- 
 nate, downy beneath ; terminal leaf large ; flowers in 
 compound cymes 2 4 feet high; yellowish- white. 
 Common in damp ground. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 45 
 
 2. S, Filipendula. (Drop wort.) Leaves pinnate, 
 cut into narrow serrated segments ; flowers in a 
 panicled cyme ; petals pink externally ; scentless. 
 Downs above Steephill. 
 
 (3.) POTENTILLID^E. Strawberry group. 
 Calyx permanent with nut-like seed, on a pulpy, or 
 dry receptacle. 
 
 GEUM. 
 
 Calyx ten-cleft in two rows ; petals 5 ; styles hooked 
 at the extremity. 
 
 1. Gr. lirbanum. (Common Avens.) Erect, with 
 rigid awns; root leaves pinnate, upper ones ternate, 
 yellow. Common in hedgerows. 
 
 POTENTILLA. 
 
 Calyx ten-cleft in two rows ; petals 5 ; seeds without 
 awns on a dry receptacle. 
 
 1. P. anserina. (Silver Weed.) Leaves pinnate, 
 silvery and downy ; flower stalks solitary, plant creep- 
 ing; yellow flower. Common by the roadside. 
 
 2. P. reptans. (Creeping Cinquefoil.) Leaves 
 divided into 5 ; plant creeping, rooting, flowers soli- 
 tary, on long stalks, bright yellow. Very common on 
 banks. 
 
 3. P. Fragariastnim. (Strawberry-leaved Cin- 
 quefoil.) Prostrate leaflets, cut, silky ; petals equal 
 in length to the calyx. Common in Eew copses ; 
 flowers white ; frequently mistaken for the strawberry ; 
 petals are notched. 
 
 TOEMENTILLA. 
 
 Calyx eight-cleft in two rows ; petals 4 ; seeds with 
 out awns, on a dry receptacle. 
 
46 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 1. T. officinalis. (Common Tormentil.) With 3 
 leaflets, ternate and sessile, narrow and acute ; erect ; 
 small yellow flowers. Very common on Ventnor 
 Downs. 
 
 COMARUM. 
 
 Calyx ten-cleft in two rows ; petals 5 ; seeds without 
 awns on a fleshy receptacle. 
 
 1. C. palustre. (Marsh Cinquefoil.) Leaves 
 divided into 5 or 7 ; flowers dingy purple. Not 
 uncommon at Rookley and Godshill. 
 
 FRAGARIA. 
 
 Calyx ten-cleft in two rows ; petals j seeds without 
 awns, on a fleshy receptacle. 
 
 1 . F. vesca. (Wild Strawberry.) Calyx reflected ; 
 plant hairy ; petals entire ; rooting scions. Landslip ; 
 very common. 
 
 RUBUS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; petals 5 ; fruit many small drupes. 
 
 1. R. Idaeus. (Raspberry.) Erect; downy and 
 prickly ; leaves pinnate, of 5 leaflets, downy beneath ; 
 flowers white and drooping ; fruit scarlet. Appuldur- 
 combe. 
 
 2. R. fruticosus. (Blackberry.) Stem angular, 
 prickly, and rooting ; leaves of 5 leaflets ; flowers in 
 panicles ; very common. There are many varieties of 
 Rub us, authorities disagreeing as to which are really 
 separate species. 
 
 3. R. CSBSius. (Dewberry.) The fruit of the 
 dewberry may easily be recognized by the beautiful 
 bloom like a hot-house grape. It generally grows at 
 the bottom of hedgerows. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 47 
 
 AGRIMONIA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft, covered with the bristles ; petals 5 ; 
 stamens about 15; seeds 2, in tube of the calyx. 
 
 A. Eupatoria. (Agrimony.) A spike from 1 2 
 feet high ; leaves pinnate ; flowers yellow. Aromatic. 
 Common. 
 
 (4.) SANGUISORBID^E. Bumet group. 
 
 Petals absent ; hard calyx with nut-like seeds ; calyx 
 three or eight-cleft ; stamens few. 
 
 ALCHEMILLA. 
 
 Calyx eight-cleft, two rows; stamens 1 4; seeds 1 2. 
 
 1. A. vulgaris. (Ladies' Mantle.) Leaves kid- 
 ney-shaped, seven or nine-lobed, serrated ; flowers in 
 loose divided clusters, yellowish-green, and quite small. 
 Ventnor and Shanklin Downs. 
 
 POTERIUM. 
 
 Stamens and pistils in separate flowers ; calyx four- 
 cleft, red ; 3 bracts at the base of the calyx ; stamens 
 numerous. 
 
 1. P. Sangllisorba. (Salad Burnet.) Leaves 
 pinnate, serrated ; pistils crimson ; has a cucumber 
 taste and smell. Common on the grassy slopes of the 
 Downs. 
 
 (5.) ROSID^E. Rose group. 
 
 Nut-like hairy seeds enclosed in fleshy calyx tube ; 
 leaves pinnate ; a shrub with prickles. 
 
 ROSA. 
 
 Calyx elongated, contracted at the mouth, five-cleft ; 
 petals 5; stamens numerous; seeds numerous. 
 
48 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 1. R, spinosissima. (Burnet Rose.) A low 
 plant with, small serrated leaves ; calyx simple, fruit 
 nearly round; flowers nearly white, fragrant; fruit 
 nearly black. Ventnor Downs. 
 
 2. R. tomentosa. (Downy -leaved Rose.) 
 Leaves doubly serrated, downy calyx pinnate ; long, 
 stout shoots ; deep red flowers. Bohemia, near Gods- 
 hill. Not common, 
 
 3. R. canina. (Dog Rose.) Common on every 
 hedge. 
 
 4. R. arvensis. (Trailing Dog Rose.) Flowers 
 quite white, stem brown, few prickles ; calyx pinnate, 
 not remaining attached to the fruit. Brading 
 Woods. 
 
 There are several other species, R. cinnamomea, &c. 
 
 (6.) POME^E. Apple group. 
 
 Fruit a pome, a calyx which enlarges into a fleshy 
 or mealy fruit. 
 
 PYRUS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; petals 5 ; styles 2 5 ; fruit fleshy, 
 with 5 two-seeded cells. 
 
 1. P. communis. (Wild Pear.) Leaves simple, 
 egg-shaped, serrated; flowers in corymbs; thorny. 
 America Woods. 
 
 2. P. Malus. (Crab Apple.) Very common, and 
 well-known by its beautiful pink and white blossom 
 and acid fruit. 
 
 4. P. torminalis. (Wild Service-tree.) Leaves 
 egg-shaped, with deep lobes ; flowers in loose corymb ; 
 with brown berries. America Woods. 
 
 4. P. Aria. (White Beam- tree.) Leaves egg- 
 
OF THE UNDERCL1FF AND ITS VICINITY. 49 
 
 shaped, irregularly serrated, white underneath ; flowers 
 white in close corymb. Luccombe and Wroxall. 
 
 CKAT^BGUS. 
 
 1. C. Oxyacantha. The well-known Hawthorn 
 or May, usually white, occasionally pink ; splendid old 
 trees near Niton. 
 
 ORDER XXIII ONAGRACE^. Willow Herb tribe. 
 
 Calyx usually four-lobed ; tube united to the ovary ; 
 stamens 4 or 8, rarely 2 ; ovary two or four-celled ; 
 stigma knobbed, four-lobed; fruit a berry, a four- 
 celled capsule. 
 
 The willow herbs are essentially July plants, seldom 
 putting forth their rose-coloured flowers before that 
 month. The rose-bay is too frequently the outcast of 
 a garden, and rare as a truly wild species. The 
 (Enothera, or evening primrose, is, in the Isle of Wight, 
 as nearly indigenous as anywhere in England. At St. 
 Helen's Spit, on sand-hills facing the sea, numbers of 
 this plant spring up annually, far away from any garden 
 or cultivated spot. Hooker and other authorities state 
 that the evening primrose was introduced from North 
 America, and grows abundantly on sandy cliffs near 
 Liverpool. It appears an undecided question how long 
 a plant must grow in a wild state before it can be 
 claimed in the Flora of a country. 
 
 EPILOBIUM. 
 
 1. E. hirsutum. (Great Hairy Willow Her6.) 
 Petals equal ; stamens erect ; stigma four-cleft ; plant 
 hairy; leaves narrow, oblong, serrated, branched, root 
 
 E 
 
50 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 creeping ; 4 6 feet nigh, rose colour. Wet places ; 
 Steephill, by the waterfall. 
 
 2. E. parviflorum. (Small Hairy Willow Herb.) 
 Like the last, only small ; leaves sessile ; plant not 
 branched. Common. 
 
 3. E. montanum. (Broad smooth-leaved Willow 
 Herb.) Leaves egg-shaped, smooth ; shortly stalked ; 
 stem round, slightly hairy ; rose colour, usually closed, 
 or nearly so; seed cottony. Dry banks; common. 
 Stigma four-cleft. 
 
 4. E. tetragOimm. (Square-stalked Willow Herb.) 
 Petals equal; stamens erect; stigma knobbed; leaves 
 narrow, sessile; stem four-angled, smooth. Damp 
 places ; Grodshill. 
 
 5. E, palustre. (Narrow-leaved Marsh Willow 
 Herb.) Leaves slightly toothed, sessile ; stem round, 
 smooth ; flowers droop when in bud. Marshes ; Land- 
 slip ; Godshill. 
 
 (ENOTHERA. 
 
 Calyx four-lobed ; stamens 8 ; capsule four-celled, 
 four-valved ; seeds numerous and not bearded. 
 
 1. (E. biennis. (Evening Primrose.) Long, nar- 
 row, and smooth leaves; pale yellow flowers, tinged 
 with red when in bud ; expands at night ; fragrant ; 
 rare. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 CIRC^A. 
 
 Calyx two-lobed ; petals 2 ; stamens 2 ; capsule two- 
 celled ; each one-seeded. 
 
 1. C. lutetiana, (Common Enchanter's Night- 
 shade.) Stem branched and downy ; leaves egg- 
 shaped, toothed, and acute; 1 2 feet high; white 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 51 
 
 flowers, with pink stamens. Found in damp shady 
 situations near Luccombe. 
 
 ORDER XXIV. HALORAGACE^l. Mare's Tail tribe. 
 
 Calyx attached to the ovary; 3 4 minute lobes, 
 petals minute or wanting; stamens 1 2 when petals 
 are wanting, equal or double when petals are present ; 
 stigma same number as cells ; closed capsule ; 1 seed. 
 
 HIPPURIS. 
 
 Calyx minute, two-lobed ; petals wanting ; stamen 
 1 ; style 1. 
 
 1. H, vulgaris. (Common Mare's Tail.) Stem 
 erect and jointed; leaves in whorls; flowers sessile, 
 stamens often wanting. The Equisetum has its seeds 
 in a terminal spike, Hippuris at the axils of the leaves. 
 St. Helen's Spit ; Grodshill Marshes. Not common. 
 
 MYRIOPHYLLUM. 
 
 Stamens and pistils on separate flowers; calyx 4; 
 petals 4 ; stamens 8 ; styles 4 ; seeds 4. 
 
 1. M. spicatum. A water plant. Stem 
 branched and irregular; flowers in whorls; leaves 
 very fine ; flowers above surface, greenish. Brading ; 
 Sandown. 
 
 2. M. alterniflorum. With barren flowers alter- 
 nate, and fertile flowers in three at axil of leaves ; 
 rare. Sandown Fort. 
 
 ORDER XXV. LYTHRACE-ffi. Loosestrife tribe. 
 
 Calyx tubular, cleft and toothed; petals inserted 
 between divisions of calyx ; stamens numerous ; ovary 
 2 4 ; style 1 ; capsule many-seeded. 
 
 E 2 
 
52 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 LYTHRUM. 
 
 Calyx with twelve divisions; petals 6; stamens 
 612. 
 
 1. L. Salicaria. (Purple Loosestrife.) Leaves 
 opposite, long and narrow ; stamens 12 ; flowers 
 wliorled in spikes 2 4 feet high, by water; a rich 
 purple. Rookley Wilderness. 
 
 PEPLIS. 
 
 Calyx bell-shaped, 12 divisions; petals 6; very 
 small ; stamens 6 ; style blunt. 
 
 1. P. Portllla. (Water Purslane.) A water 
 plant with smooth opposite leaves; flowers axillary 
 and minute. Lake Common; Godshill Marshes. 
 
 ORDER XXYL CUCTTRBITACE^. Gourd tribe. 
 
 Stamens and pistils on separate flowers, or even 
 plants ; calyx five-cleft, united with the corolla ; 
 stamens 5, united ; anthers twisted ; ovary 3 ; style 
 blunt ; fruit succulent. 
 
 The gourd family is represented in England by the 
 single genus Bryonia melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, 
 calashes, gourds, and vegetable marrows are all in- 
 cluded in the order. The fruit of the greater number 
 is watery, pulpy, sweet, and refreshing, and in hot 
 countries form no inconsiderable part of the diet. In 
 Spain, for instance, the poorer people would do badly 
 without their melon. 
 
 BRYONIA. 
 
 Stamens 5, in three sets ; style three- cleft ; fruit a 
 berry. 
 
 1. B. dioica. (White Bryony.) A creeping plant 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 53 
 
 with tendrils and large leaves ; flowers whitish, with 
 veins, some fertile, others barren ; berries scarlet. 
 
 ORDER XXVII. PARONYCHIACE.E. Knot Grass tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5 ; petals 5, minute between calyx, lobes 
 sometimes wanting, stamens varying in number; 
 ovary not combined with calyx ; pistils 2 5 ; seed one- 
 celled ; flowers minute. 
 
 SPERGULARIA. 
 
 Sepals flat ; petals entire, equal to the calyx ; styles 3. 
 
 1. S. rubra. (Field Sand wort Spurrey.) Leaves 
 narrow, fleshy, and pointed ; stipules ; plant prostrate ; 
 seeds rough ; purple flowers. Common in waste places 
 near the sea. 
 
 SPERGULA. 
 
 Leaves round, petals ovate, entire ; styles 5, alternate 
 with sepals. 
 
 1. S. arvensis, (Corn Spurrey.) Flowers in 
 panicles, stem branching at all angles, white ; leaves 
 in whorls, with stipules. Shanklin, in corn-fields. 
 
 ORDER XXVIII. CRASSTTLACE.E. Stonecrop trile. 
 
 Sepals 3 20, united; petals equal to sepals in 
 number; stamens the same, or twice the number; 
 ovaries one-celled, often with a gland at the base ; 
 seeds several. 
 
 COTYLEDON. 
 
 Sepals 5; corolla tubular, cleft; carpels 5, with a 
 bract. 
 
 1. C. umbilicus. (Wall Pennywort.) Plant 
 succulent ; leaves quite round and notched, supported 
 
54 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 on long stalks; flowers in spikes, whitish -yellow. 
 Keiiuerley Heath. 
 
 SEDUM. 
 
 Sepals and petals 4 6 ; stamens double the petals ; 
 carpels 4 5. 
 
 1. S. album, (White Stonecrop.) Leaves oblong, 
 blunt and spreading; flowers in a cyme, white, not 
 spotted. Common in St. Helen's Spit ; Blackgang. 
 
 2. S. dasyphyllum. (Thick-leaved stonecrop.) 
 Smaller than the last; leaves fleshy and globular; 
 rare. Brading. 
 
 3. S. acre. (Biting Stonecrop.) Yellow and star- 
 like. Very common in St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 ORDER XXIX. GROSSULAEJ ACE M. Gooseberry 
 tribe. 
 
 Calyx from summit of the ovary, four or five-cleft ; 
 petals 4 5 small, alternate with the stems ; ovary 
 one-celled ; style two or four-cleft ; berry pulpy. 
 
 KIBES.-. 
 
 Calyx and petals 5 ; stamens 5 ; berry crowned. 
 1. R. Grossularia, (Gooseberry.) The common 
 gooseberry of the garden. Wild in Wroxall Woods. 
 
 ORDER XXX. SAXIFRAGACE.E. Saxifrage tribe. 
 
 Sepals 5 ; rarely 4 ; united ; petals equal number to 
 sepals; stamens 5 10; ovary of 2 carpels ; styles 
 2 ; capsule 2. 
 
 Saxifrage a genus of plants of the natural order 
 Saxifrageae, supposed to contain upwards of 900 
 species, the majority being low-growing herbs, in- 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 55 
 
 habiting mountains, rocky grounds, dry walls, or the 
 sides of springs; they form the most attractive and 
 beautiful of all the groups of Alpine flora. If they do 
 not possess grandeur or brilliancy of appearance, they 
 are eminently distinguished for neatness and perpetuity 
 of low-growing foliage ; and for simple beauty of the 
 blossoms, which are either white, yellow, flesh-coloured, 
 or purple, and are often spotted. Thirty- two species 
 grow wild in Great Britain and Ireland. Of these, 
 the Saxifraga umbrosa (London-pride, or none-so- 
 pretty) is the best known. It grows wild on the 
 mountains of Britain and Ireland, and has a place in 
 the flower-pots of the humblest cottage. 
 
 CHRYSOSPLENITJM. 
 
 Calyx 4; petals absent; stamens 8 or 10 ; capsule 
 two-beaked. 
 
 1. C, oppositifolium. (Golden Saxifrage.) Leaves 
 opposite, round ; flower in yellow terminal heads ; un- 
 common. Shanklin Chine. 
 
 It is curious we should find so few plants of this 
 order in the Island ; it is in mountainous countries they 
 abound. 
 
 ORDER XXXL ZIMBELLIFEILffi. Umbelliferous 
 tribe. 
 
 Calyx superior, five-divided ; petals 5 ; bent inwards ; 
 stamens alternate with petals ; ovary inferior ; two- 
 celled, crowned ; styles 2 ; stigmas small ; 2 carpels, 
 ridged ; 1 seed in each carpel ; flowers in an umbel. 
 
 Most people will agree with Loudon that the um- 
 belliferous plants are the least attractive in our flora ; 
 they are, however, one of the most important orders in 
 
56 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 the world, not more useful as food than they are 
 dangerous as poison. The inflorescence is always um- 
 bellate, the stems being usually hollow and the leaves 
 cut. Under the influence of cultivation the injurious 
 properties disappear, and they become wholesome 
 articles of food. As a general rule, those plants of 
 umbelliferous order which inhabit watery places are 
 poisonous, while those growing in dry places are 
 wholesome ; but this is not invariable. Celery is a 
 remarkable instance of this rule. Growing by streams 
 and in damp localities it is a poison, while in a garden 
 it becomes fit for food. OEnanthe pimpinelloides is 
 another case in point. The simplicity of form or 
 structure, and uniformity of appearance, have rendered 
 their classification most difficult, and no order is so 
 puzzling to the botanist. That horrible drug, the 
 Asafcetida, belongs to the order, perhaps the most 
 nauseous drug in medicine ; yet in Central Asia the 
 inhabitants gather the young shoots to eat as a 
 vegetable, esteeming it a delicacy. 
 
 HYDROCOTYLE. 
 
 Umbel simple; fruit in two lobes; leaves round, 
 supported on a long stem. 
 
 1. H. VUlgaris. (Marsh Penny Wort.) Plant 
 creeping ; flowers insignificant, lower than the leaves. 
 Common. Godshill Marshes. 
 
 SANICULA. 
 
 Flowers in panicles, the outer ones with no stamens, 
 the inner ones without pistils ; seed egg-shaped, covered 
 with prickles. 
 
 1. S. europsea. (Wood Sanicle.) Common in 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 57 
 
 damp woods ; 1 foot high ; leaves shiny ; three or five- 
 lobed, and cut ; flowers dull white. 
 
 ERYNGIUM. 
 
 Flowers in prickly head ; fruit egg-shaped, with 
 scales. 
 
 1. E. maritinum. (Sea Holly.) Whitish-green 
 leaves ; prickly flowers bluish, in sand. St. Helen's 
 
 Spit. 
 
 CONIUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit two-lobed, 5 ridges ; few 
 bracts. 
 
 1. C. maculatum. (Hemlock.) Plant standing 
 several feet, much branched ; deeply-cut foliage, and 
 white flowers. 
 
 SMYRNIUM 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit two-lobed, with 3 ridges. 
 
 1. S. Olusatmm. (Common Alexanders.) A 
 stout plant, growing near the sea; leaves in three, 
 bright and glossy ; flowers yellowish ; stem furrowed ; 
 seeds turn very dark. Banks facing Steephill. 
 
 APIUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit two-lobed, 2 distinct car- 
 pels with 5 ridges ; no bracts. 
 
 1. A. graveolens. (Celery.) Not to be mistaken, 
 on account both of smell and taste ; leaves like garden 
 celery, of which it is the origin j damp places. Steep- 
 hill Waterfall. 
 
 PETROSELINUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit two-lobed, egg-shaped ; 
 5 ridges ; bracts few. 
 
 1. P. segetlim. (Corn Parsley.) Slender, branched 
 
58 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 and tougli ; leaves scant, pinnate ; umbel small, 
 whitish. Not uncommon in chalky corn-fields. 
 
 SISON. 
 
 Umbel compound; fruit two-lobed; carpels 5 ridges; 
 petals broad and notched,, point bent inwards ; several 
 bracts. 
 
 1. S. amomum, 2 3 feet high,, slight, tough, 
 branched ; leaves pinnate, leaflets narrow ; 24 bracts ; 
 flowers small and yellowish. Abundant on chalk. 
 
 ^EGOPODIUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit in two lobes, oblong ; car- 
 pels with 5 ridges ; no bracts. 
 
 1. &. Podagraria. (Common Gout Weed.) Root- 
 creeping ; leaves thrice three-lobed ; serrated ; flowers 
 white. Between Shanklin and Ventnor. 
 
 BUNIUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit two-lobed, oblong, crowned ; 
 carpels 5 ridges; bracts few. 
 
 1. B. flexuosum. (Common Pig-nut.) Common 
 in meadows ; root edible and nut-like ; leaves finely 
 cut ; flower white. 
 
 PIMPINELLA. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit two-lobed, oblong, crowned ; 
 carpels 5 ridges, furrowed ; no bracts. 
 
 1. P. Saxifraga. (Burnet Saxifrage.) 1 2 feet 
 high ; leaves pinnate, upper ones narrow. Common in 
 fields and pasture-lands ; white. 
 
 All the above have flattened seeds. 
 
 GENANTHE. 
 
 Umbels compound, fruit egg-shaped, crowned; car- 
 pels with 5 ridges ; flower spreading. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 59 
 
 1. (E. fistulosa, (Tubular Water Dropwort.) Eoot 
 with runners ; leaves pinnate ; stalk tubular ; umbels 
 few, rayed. Sandown Level. 
 
 2. (E. crocata. (Hemlock Water Dropwort.) 
 Leaves triply pinnate, much cut ; poisonous ; many 
 white umbels. Common. 
 
 3. A third species is found on St. Helen's Salt 
 Marshes. 
 
 FCENICULUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit elliptical ; carpels with 
 5 ridges ; no bracts. 
 
 1. F, Vlllgare. (Common Fennel.) Well known 
 by its scent ; leaves feathery ; umbel yellow. Yentnor 
 Cliffs; uncommon. 
 
 CRITHMUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit elliptical ; carpels soft, with 
 5 ridges ; numerous bracts. 
 
 1. C. maritimum. (Samphire.) Fleshy leaves, 
 glaucous ; yellow umbel aromatic, and used for pickle. 
 Common onVentor and other cliffs. 
 
 All the above have seeds not flattened. 
 
 ANGELICA. 
 
 Umbel compound, fruit of 2 flattened carpels, 3 
 ridges ; few bracts. 
 
 1. A. sylvestris. (Wild Angelica). Stem fur- 
 rowed ; leaves twice pinnate ; leaflets serrated, egg- 
 shaped; umbel large, white, or pinkish; 2 4 feet 
 high. Very common. 
 
 PASTINACA. 
 
 Umbel compound; 2 flattened carpels, 5 ridges; 
 few bracts ; flowers yellow. 
 
60 WILD FLOWEES 
 
 1. P. saliva. (Parsnip.) Much the same as the 
 garden plant. Luccombe and Bonchurch. 
 
 HERACLEUM. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit like the parsnip ; umbel 
 rigid, and bracts few ; flowers white. 
 
 1. H, sphondylium, (Cow Parsnip.) 4 6 feet 
 high ; rough broad leaves ; sheathed. 
 
 DAUCUS. 
 
 Umbels compound ; fruit prickly, flattened ; carpels 
 oblong ; ridged ; long bracts. 
 
 1. D. maritimus, (Sea Carrot.) Umbel quite 
 flat, pinkish, hoary ; leaves much cut, feathery. Sea 
 cliffs. 
 
 TORILIS. 
 
 Umbel compound ; fruit prickly, ridged ; numerous 
 bracts. 
 
 1. T. Anthriscus. (Upright Hedge Parsley.) 
 Leaves doubly pinnate, cut, umbels stalled \ 2 3 feet 
 high ; hairy ; pinkish flowers. Very common. 
 
 ANTHRISCUS. 
 
 Umbels compound, fruit beaked ; capels no ridges ; 
 few bracts. 
 
 1. A. sylvestris. (Beaked Parsley.) Stem 
 downy ; leaves thrice pinnate ; umbels terminal ; 5 
 bracts; early spring. Very common. 
 
 CH^ROPHYLLUM. 
 
 Umbel compound, fruit beaked ; carpels five-ridged ; 
 few bracts. 
 
 1. 0. temulum. (Rough Chervil.) 23 feet 
 high, hairy, spotted ; swollen at the joints ; leaves 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 61 
 
 twice pinnate, deeply cut ; umbel white, drooping in 
 bud. Very common. 
 
 ORDEE XXXII. ARALIACE-ZE. Ivy tribe. 
 
 Calyx attached to the ovary, four or five-cleft ; petals 
 4 5, or 1 0, if present ; stamens equal petals in number, 
 or double the number ; ovary more than 2 cells ; styles 
 equal to cells ; fruit fleshy or dry, several one-seeded 
 cells. 
 
 HEDEEA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft; petals 5 10; stamens 5 10 
 styles 5 10; berry five-celled, five-seeded. 
 1. H. Helix. (Common Ivy.) 
 
 ADOXA. 
 
 Calyx three-cleft; corolla 4 5; stamens in pairs 
 8 1 ; anthers one-celled ; berry four or five-celled. 
 
 1. A. Moschatellina. (Moschatel.) 46 inches 
 high; root leaves with a pair of smaller ones half- 
 way up the stem ; flowers in terminal heads of 5 ; 
 greenish-yellow. The Landslip, Bonchurch. 
 
 ORDEE XXXIII. CORN ACE M. Cornel tribe. 
 
 Sepals 4, attached to ovary ; petals 4 ; stamens 4 ; 
 ovary two-celled ; stigma simple ; fruit a berry, with 
 two-celled nut ; seeds single. 
 
 CORNUS. 
 
 1. c. sanguinea. (Dog Wood.) A shrub, with 
 stems red in autumn. Cymes of white flowers ; leaves 
 opposite, smooth, egg-shaped ; berries purple, turning 
 black ; common in hedges and woods ; not to be confused 
 with the Yiburnum or meal-tree. 
 
62 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ORDER XXXIV. LORANTHACE.E. 
 
 Stamens and pistils on different plants ; stamens and 
 petals 4 8 ; fruit pulpy, one-seeded. 
 
 VISCUM. 
 
 Viscum album. (Mistletoe.) Too well known to 
 need a description ; parasitical on many trees. 
 
 ORDER XXXV. CAPRIFOLIACE^E. Woodbine tribe. 
 
 Calyx attacked to ovary, with bracts at the base ; 
 corolla four or five-cleft ; stamens alternate with petals ; 
 ovary three or five-celled; stigmas 1 3; fruit fleshy, 
 crowned. 
 
 SAMBUCUS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla 5 ; stamens 5 ; stigmas 3 ; 
 berry three or four-seeded. 
 
 1. S. nigra. (Elder.) Stem woody; flowers in 
 cymes yellowish ; leaves pinnate, serrated ; berries 
 
 purple. 
 
 VIBURNUM. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla five-cleft ; stamens 5 ; berry 
 13 cells. 
 
 V. Lantana. (Meal Tree.) Flowers in thick 
 cymes; leaves ovate, serrated, white beneath; holds 
 the dust ; berries scarlet. Very common. 
 
 LONICERA. 
 
 L. Peridymenum. (Honeysuckle.) Calyx five-cleft 
 and small; corolla tubular; stamens 5 ; leaves separate ; 
 flowers terminal. Trailing over every hedge. 
 
 ORDER XXXVI. RUBIACE^), Madder tribe. 
 Calyx 4 6, or wanting; corolla 4 6, regular; 
 stamens alternate with corolla lobes ; ovary two-celled ; 
 styles two-cleft ; carpel two-seeded. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 63 
 
 EUBIA. 
 
 Corolla somewhat bell-shaped ; stamens 4 ; fruit a 
 berry having 2 lobes. 
 
 1. R. peregrina. A climbing hedge plant with 
 dark shiny leaves, in whorls of 4 6 ; flowers green, 
 five-cleft ; berries black in conspicuous clusters. 
 
 GALIUM. 
 
 Corolla wheel-shaped ; stamens 4 ; frnit not crowned, 
 two-seeded. 
 
 1. G. cruciatum. (Cross Wort.) Leaves in 
 whorl of 4 ; flowers small, yellow ; upper ones with 
 pistil, the lower stamens downy; 1 2 feet. Very 
 common. 
 
 2. G. verum. (Yellow Bed-straw.) Leaves 8 in 
 a whorl ; large clusters of yellow flowers. Very 
 common. 
 
 3. Gr. MollugO. (Hedge Bed- straw.) Leaves 8 
 in a whorl, pointed ; flowers in loose panicle, white ; 
 fruit smooth. Between Yentnor and Bonchurch. 
 Frequent. 
 
 4. G. saxatile. (Heath Bed-straw.) Leaves 6 
 in a whorl; stem prostrate below, much-branched, 
 smooth ; a small species with dense white panicle ; 
 dry sandy heaths. 
 
 5. G. tricorne. Stem and leaves rough ; flowers 
 white, growing in threes ; fruit reflexed; not uncom- 
 mon on dry sandy heaths and banks. 
 
 6. G. Aparine. (Goose-grass.) Leaves 6 8 in 
 a whorl, rough ; flowers 2 3, axillary ; fruit rough 
 with prickles ; seeds stick to anything closely. Very 
 common. 
 
64 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ASPERULA. 
 
 Corolla funnel-shaped ; stamens 4 ; fruit two-lobed 
 and two-seeded, not crowned. 
 
 1. A. odorata. (Sweet Woodruff.) Leaves 8 in 
 a whorl ; flowers white, in panicles, which are ter- 
 minal ; fruit bristled. Moist woods ; Shanklin. 
 
 2. A. cynanchica. (Squinancy Wort.) Leaves 
 4 in a whorl; small plant with narrow leaves ; flowers 
 white or lilac. Dry banks near Yentnor. 
 
 SHERARDIA. 
 
 Corolla funnel-shaped; stamens 4; fruit two-lobed, 
 two-seeded, crowned. 
 
 1. S. arvensis. Leaves 6 in a whorl, spreading 
 and pointed ; flowers very small, bluish pink, in an 
 umbel. Corn-fields, abundant. 
 
 ORDER XXXYIL VALERIAN ACE^E. Valerian tribe. 
 Calyx superior ; corolla tubular, three or six-lobed ; 
 sometimes a spire at the base; stamens 1 5, inserted 
 into the tube; ovary 1 3 cells.; fruit crowned, one- 
 seeded, 2 cells having no seeds. 
 
 CENTRANTHUS. 
 
 1. C. rilber. Corolla spurred; 1 stamen; corolla 
 five-cleft, deep red, fruit crowned ; 1 2 feet hig-h. 
 Very plentiful throughout the Undercliff, and difficult 
 to eradicate. 
 
 VALERIANA. 
 
 Corolla five-cleft, not spurred; stamens 3; frn.it 
 crowned. 
 
 1. V. officinalis. Leaves pinnate; flowers light 
 pink. Common in ditches and damp places. 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 65 
 
 FEDIA. 
 
 Corolla five-cleft ; stamens 3 ; fruit crowned. 
 
 1. F. olitoria. (Corn Salad.) Leaves long and 
 narrow ; flowers in terminal heads ; capsule inflated, 
 crowned ; stem forked ; flowers opaque, white. 
 
 2. F. dentata, (Toothed Corn Salad.) Leaves 
 decidedly toothed at the base ; flowers in corymbs, with 
 a sessile one in the fork. Corn-fields ; common. 
 
 ORDER XXXVIIL DIPSACE.E. Teasel tribe. 
 
 Calyx attached to the ovary, surrounded with bracts ; 
 corolla 4 5, tubular ; stamens 4, anthers not united 
 style 1 ; stigma not cleft; fruit dry, one-seeded, 
 crowned ; flowers in heads. 
 
 DIPSACUS. 
 
 Bracts numerous, pointed ; outer and inner calyx ; 
 fruit four-sided. 
 
 1. D. sylvestris. (Wild Teasel.) Leaves oppo- 
 site, united ; bristles of receptacle not hooked ; a 
 handsome plant with prickly stem and large leaves 
 Common. Pelham Woods, and elsewhere. 
 
 SCABIOSA. 
 
 Bracts numerous ; outer calyx membranaceous, inner 
 one five-bristled ; receptacle scaly ; fruit cylindrical. 
 
 1. S. SUCCisa. (Premorse Scabious.) Root abruptly 
 cut off; corolla four-cleft; leaves ovate, not narrow up 
 the stem, purplish blue. Ventnor Downs. 
 
 2. S. Columbaria. (Small Scabious.) Corolla 
 five-cleft; outer flowers largest; leaves pinnate and 
 cut ; lilac. Yentnor ; Bonchurch ; Appuldurcombe. 
 
66 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 KNAUTIA. 
 
 Bracts numerous ; outer calyx minute, four-toothed, 
 inner one cup-shaped; receptacle hairy; fruit four- 
 sided. 
 
 1. K. arvensis. Root leaves simple, upper ones 
 pinnate ; heads convex, 2 3 feet high ; pale purple or 
 lilac. Very common ; hedges and waste grounds. 
 
 ORDER XXXIX. COMPOSITE. Compounds/lowers. 
 
 Flowers composed of little florets in terminal heads, 
 surrounded by bracts, or involucre ; calyx becoming a 
 pappus ; corolla of one petal, tubular or strap-shaped ; 
 stamens 5, united ; ovary inferior, 1 to each style, one- 
 celled; stigma simple or two-cleft; fruit a solitary 
 seed, crowned. 
 
 Composite plants, or the Composite, are well ex- 
 pressed by the name, for each flower is literally com- 
 posed of many florets enclosed in a common perianth. 
 The number of species wild or cultivated in Great 
 Britain is said to be nearly 3000, some highly orna- 
 mental, as dahlias, cinerarias, chrysanthemum, China 
 asters, all more or less remarkable for their brilliant 
 tints. The medicinal coinpositse are the coltsfoot, 
 camomile, tansy, wormwood, arnica, and others. 
 The esculent and edible include the artichoke, salsafy, 
 lettuce, and endive. The thistles are a group to 
 themselves, far too prevalent on our grass and culti- 
 vated lands. 
 
 (1.) CICHORACE^E. Chicory group. 
 All the florets strap-shaped, having stamens and 
 
 pistils. 
 
 TRAGOPOGON. 
 Involucre simple, 8 10 scales, united below; 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 67 
 
 receptacle dotted; fruit rough, ridged, tapering; 
 pappus feathery. 
 
 1. T. pratensis, (Yellow GoatVbeard.) Involucre 
 longer than corolla ; leaves broad at the base, long and 
 channelled ; erect, with handsome buds, yellow flowers, 
 which seldom expand; large pappus. Not uncommon. 
 
 HELMINTHIA. 
 
 Involucre 8, with 3 5 leaflike bracts; receptacle 
 dotted ; fruit rough, wrinkled; pappus feathery. 
 
 I. H. echioides. (Bristly Ox-tongue.) Plant 
 prickly all over and spotted; flowers yellow, with 
 large bracts 2 3 feet high. Yentnor Cliffs. 
 
 PICRIS. 
 
 Involucre with 1 row of equal scales upright, several 
 spreading ones at the base; receptacle slightly dotted; 
 fruit rough and ridged ; pappus in 2 rows, the inner 
 one feathery. 
 
 1. P. Meracioides. (Hawkweed Picris.) Slender 
 and branched, 2 3 feet ; stem rough and bristly ; 
 leaves narrow and toothed; flowers numerous, yellow, 
 with scales on the stalk. Yentnor and Bonchurch. 
 
 APARGIA. 
 
 Involucre imbricated, outer scales black and hairy ; 
 receptacle dotted ; fruit pointed ; pappus of 1 row, 
 feathery. 
 
 1. A, hispida. (Rough Hawk-bit.) Leaves all 
 growing from the root, pinnatifid, with 2 pointed 
 bristles ; flowers pale yellow, single. Common on the 
 Downs. 
 
 2. A. ailtumnalis, (Autumn Hawk-bit.) Leaves 
 from the root, narrow and hairy ; stalks many-flowered, 
 
 F 2 
 
68 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 2 5 feet, deep yellow flowers; involucre downy. 
 Pastures and downs. 
 
 THRINCIA. 
 
 Involucre of 1 row, few scales ; receptacle dotted ; 
 fruit of outer florets hardly beaked; pappus chaffy; 
 fruit of inner florets beaked. 
 
 1. T. hirta. (Hairy Thrincia.) 4 6 inches high; 
 leaves from the root, lobed, rough and bristled ; stem 
 hairy, each with yellow flowers. Very common. 
 
 HYPOCH^RIS. 
 
 Involucre imbricated, receptacle chaffy ; fruit rough ; 
 pappus feathery, with short bristles outside. 
 
 1. H. radicata. (Long-rooted Cat's Ear.) Leaves 
 all from the root, pinnatitid, lobes pointing back ; stem 
 branched, smooth, scales below the yellow flowers. 
 Sandown and Shanklin. 
 
 LACTUCA 
 
 Involucre imbricated, scales membranous at the 
 margin, few-flowered ; receptacle naked ; fruit flattened 
 and beaked ; pappus hairy. 
 
 1. L. muralis. (Wall Lettuce) Only 5 florets ; 
 leaves large and pinnatifid, cut and lobed ; panicles 
 spreading ; yellow flowers. Brading ; Shanklin. 
 
 SONCHUS. 
 
 Involucre imbricated, with several rows of scales ; 
 receptacle naked ; fruit flattened and wrinkled ; pappus 
 hairy. 
 
 1. S. oleraceilS. (Sow Thistle.) Very common, 
 yellow and prickly leaves; a thick white juice in the 
 stem. 
 
 2 S, arvensis. (Corn Sow Thistle.) Lower 
 
OF THE UNDEKCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 
 
 leaves pinnatifid, pointing backwards; stem simple; 
 large flowers. Corn-fields. 
 
 CREPIS. 
 
 Involucre double ; receptacle naked ; fruit not flat- 
 tened, tapering ; pappus a tuft of white down. 
 
 1. C. virens. ( Smooth. HawkVbit.) Leaves 
 smooth and pinnatifid, pointing backwards, narrow; 
 flowers numerous, yellow; very abundant; varies in 
 growth from 6 inches to 2 feet. 
 
 HIERACIUM. 
 
 Involucre imbricated, with oblong scales ; recep table 
 dotted ; fruit angular, ridged ; pappus bristly, sessile, 
 and not white. 
 
 1. H. Pilosella. (Mouse-ear Hawkweed.) Single 
 flowered ; creeping shoots ; leaves from the root, en- 
 tire and hairy. Common. 
 
 2. H. umbellatum, (Narrow-leaved Hawkweed.) 
 Having flowers in a corymb. Rookley Wilderness ; 
 not common. 
 
 There are several other species of Hawkweed. 
 
 LBONTODON. 
 
 Leaves all from the root ; involucre reflexed. 
 1.- L, Taraxacum, The common Dandelion. 
 Every waste place. 
 
 LAPSANA. 
 
 Involucre a single row of erect scales; 4 or 5 
 smaller ones at the base, with few flowers ; receptacle 
 naked ; fruit flattened and furrowed. 
 
 1. L. communis. (Nipple Wort.) Leaves on long 
 stalks, heart-shaped; branched; flowers numerous, 
 small, and light yellow. Very common. 
 
70 
 
 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 CICHORIUM. 
 
 Involucre in 2 rows, inner of 8 scales, bending 
 back, out of 5 scales ; receptacle naked, hairy ; pappus 
 a double row of chaffy scales. 
 
 1. C. Intybus. (Succory.) Stem hard to break ; 
 flowers bright blue. St. Lawrence (?) ; rare. 
 
 (2.) CYNAROCEPHAL^E. Thistle group. 
 
 Florets tubular, five-cleft; stamens and pistils 
 usually forming a convex head ; style jointed below to 
 stigma. 
 
 AKCTIUM. 
 
 Involucre with scales having curved points ; recep- 
 tacle chaffy ; fruit four-sided ; pappus short. 
 
 1. A, Lappa. (Burdock.) A stout plant, with fine 
 boldly-shaped leaves; round heads of purple flowers. 
 The burs catch everything, and cling to the clothes. 
 Common. 
 
 CARDUUS. 
 
 Involucre swollen, imbricated ; receptacle bristly ; 
 pappus hairy, blown about by winds, and falling as 
 seed. 
 
 1 . C. nutans. (Musk Thistle.) Solitary flowers, 
 drooping ; involucre rigid, bent back ; stem with thorny 
 leaves ; 2 feet high ; handsome purple plant. Yery 
 common. 
 
 2. C. tenuifloms. (Slender-flowered Thistle.) 
 Heads in clusters; scales of involucre prickly and 
 erect ; stem with prickly leaves, downy beneath ; 
 flowers pink, 2 4 feet high. St. Helen's. 
 
 3. C. acanthoides. (Welted Thistle.) In clus- 
 ters, round; scales of involucre thorny, erect; stem 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 71 
 
 and leaves thorny ; branched ; deep purple flowers 
 3 4 feet. Common. 
 
 CNICUS. 
 
 Same characters as Carduus, with pappus feathery. 
 
 ] . C. lanceolatllS. Usually solitary heads, stalked; 
 scales of involucre prickly, spreading, and woolly; 
 stem and leaves prickly, the latfcer lobed, which are 
 two-cleft; 3 4 feet high; leaves downy beneath, 
 dull purple. Very common. 
 
 2. C. palustris. (Marsh" Plume Thistle.) Flowers 
 in clusters ; scales of involucre adhering ; thorny stem 
 and leaves ; 4 10 feet ; purple. Very common in 
 marshes. 
 
 3. C. arvensis. (Creeping Plume Thistle.) Heads 
 of flowers numerous, stalked; scales of involucre ad- 
 hering ; stem not winged ; root creeping ; 2 feet high ; 
 flowers light purple, scented. Common. 
 
 4. C. acaulis. (Dwarf Plume Thistle.) Heads 
 solitary, stemless ; leaves prickly ; purple flower. 
 Chale. Several other varieties are found occasionally. 
 
 CAELINA. 
 
 Similar characteristics, inner scales being chaffy, 
 coloured, and spreading. 
 
 1. C. Vlllgaris. Inner scales straw-coloured; 
 leaves very prickly ; florets red, anthers yellow ; single 
 heads. Common. 
 
 CENTAUKEA. 
 
 Involucre imbricated ; receptacle bristly ; pappus 
 hairy, or absent ; outer florets with neither stamens 
 nor pistils. 
 
 1. C. nigra. (Black Knapweed.) Outer scales 
 
72 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 egg-shaped, fringed ; lower leaves toothed, upper ones 
 narrow ; pappus short and tufted ; dull purple. Bon- 
 church ; Shanklin. 
 
 2. C. scabiosa. (Greater Knapweed.) Outer 
 scales egg-shaped, fringed : leaves pinnatifid, rough, 
 tapering ; bright purple flowers, and light coloured 
 scales. Very common. 
 
 3. C. Cyanus. (Blue Bottle.) One of our best- 
 known flowers, the bright blue Centaurea of our corn- 
 fields. 
 
 (3.) TTJBIFLORJ3. Tansy group. 
 
 All florets tubular, five-cleft, with stamens and 
 pistils in a flat head ; style not joined below the stigma. 
 
 BIDBNd 
 
 Fruit crowned with 2 3 bristles, rough, and point- 
 ing downwards. 
 
 1. B. cernua, (Nodding Bur-Marigold.) Heads 
 drooping ; leaves entire, serrated ; flower brownish 
 yellow ; in ditches. Sandown and Shanklin. 
 
 2. B. tripartita. (Trifid Bur-Marigold.) Heads 
 erect ; leaves deeply three-lobed. Sandown Level. 
 
 EUPATORIUM. 
 
 Dense heads of flowers ; involucre imbricated ; re- 
 ceptacle naked ; styles longer than florets. 
 
 1. E. cannabinum. (Hemp Agrimony.) 3 6 feet 
 high ; downy ; stem reddish ; leaves 3 5 cut ; terminal 
 corymbs dull lilac ; styles deeply cleft. Very common. 
 
 TANACETUM. 
 
 Involucre cup-shaped, imbricated ; receptacle naked ; 
 fruit crowned with chaffy border. 
 
 1. T. VUlgare. (Tansy.) 36 feet high; bright 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 73 
 
 yellow flowers in terminal corymbs,, button-like ; leaves 
 deeply cut, and twice pinnate. Chale and Blackgang. 
 
 ARTEMISIA. 
 
 Involucre imbricated, with few flowers ; no pappus. 
 
 1. A, Absinthium. (Wormwood.) Leaves deeply 
 cut, segments blunt ; heads drooping, round, and dull 
 yellow ; aromatic. Common. 
 
 2. A. VulgariS, (Mugwort.) Leaves pinnatifid, 
 acute segments ; white and downy beneath, green 
 above; no scent. Common. 
 
 PETASITES. 
 
 Involucre a single row of scales ; receptacle naked ; 
 barren and fertile flowers on different plants. 
 
 1. P. vulgaris. (Butter-Bur.) Common in damp 
 ditches ; fragrant ; a curious dull lilac or pink colour ; 
 leaves like bracts. 
 
 A second species, P. fragrans, is found in the Island 
 with flowers small as coltsfoot, only pink. The leaves 
 are large and spreading as coltsfoot, and it flowers early 
 in the spring. Near old church, Bonchurch; in abundance. 
 
 (4.) RADIATES. Daisy group. 
 Central florets tubular, five-cleft, having stamens and 
 pistils ; outer florets strap-shaped, radiated, with pis- 
 tils only. 
 
 TUSSILAGO. 
 
 Root creeping ; leaves cordate. 
 
 1 . T. Farfara, The common coltsfoot, flowering 
 before the leaf appears. Damp railway cuttings, &c. 
 
 ASTER. 
 
 Involucre imbricated, a few scales on the stalks; 
 pappus hairy, in several rows ; receptacle naked. 
 
74 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 1. A, Tripolium, (Sea Starwort.) Abundant in 
 Brading Salt Marshes. Yellow centre and purple rays ; 
 leaf long and narrow. 
 
 SOLIDAGO. 
 
 Involucre and receptacle like aster; pappus in 1 
 row. 
 
 1. S. Virgaurea. 23 feet high; leaves sim- 
 ple ; clusters of bright yellow flowers ; stem angular. 
 Dry heaths ; not uncommon. 
 
 SENECIO. 
 
 Groundsels and ragworts. Too well known to need 
 any description. 
 
 Two species of groundsel are common, and two 
 ragworts, one only in marshes. 
 
 1NULA. 
 
 Involucre imbricated ; receptacle naked ; florets all 
 yellow ; anthers bristled ; pappus hairy, in 1 row. 
 
 1. I. Helenium. (Elecampane.) A handsome 
 plant, with large oblong, serrated leaves ; few ter- 
 minal heads of large flowers. Not common. Luc- 
 combe. 
 
 PULICAEIA. 
 
 Involucre imbricated in few rows; pappus in 2 
 rows. 
 
 1. P. dysenterica. (Common Flea-bane.) Stem 
 woolly ; leaves somewhat heart-shaped, embracing the 
 stem ; involucre spiky ; bright yellow. Abundant. 
 
 2. P, Vlllgaris, (Small Flea-bane.) Hairy with 
 narrow leaves, growing best where watei* has been. 
 Uncommon. St. Helen's Green. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 75 
 
 BELLIS. 
 
 The common, yet always welcome daisy. 
 
 CHRYSANTHEMUM. 
 
 Stem branched ; root-leaves ovate, with petioles. 
 1. C. Leucanthemum. The white Ox-eye Daisy 
 
 of our meadows. 
 
 2. C. segetum. (Yellow Ox-eye.) Corn-fields near 
 Shanklin ; yellow ; leaves glaucous. 
 
 MATRICARJA. 
 
 Involucre cup-shaped ; scales membranaceous; recep- 
 tacle naked ; florets white, disk yellow; no pappus. 
 
 1. M. Parthenium. (Feverfew.) Leaves pin- 
 nate, stalked ; deeply cut ; flower in corymb ; leaves 
 delicate green ; flower white, yellow centre. Steephill ; 
 Luccombe. 
 
 2. M. inodora/ (Corn Feverfew.) Leaves feathery 
 and sessile ; flowers solitary. Very common. 
 
 ANTHEMIS. 
 
 Involucre cup-shaped, scales membranaceous ; recep- 
 tacle chaffy ; no pappus, but chaffy border. 
 
 1. A. nobilis. (Chamomile.) Prostrate; leaves 
 cut in hair-like segments ; flowers white, yellow centre, 
 Lake; Sandown. 
 
 2. A. Cotula, (Stinking Chamomile.) Erect and 
 branched ; leaves in hair-like segments ; disagreeable 
 smell if crushed ; heads solitary ; larger than last. 
 Wet places. 
 
 OEDEE XL. CAMPANULACE^. Bellflower tribe. 
 
 Calyx from the ovary, five-cleft ; corolla of one petal, 
 five-lobed; stamens alternate with lobes; anthers seldom 
 united ; ovary inferior, 2 or more, many-seeded cells ; 
 
76 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 style 1 , hairy ; stigma simple ; fruit crowned ; herba- 
 ceous plants ; hardly represented in the Island flora. 
 
 The CarnpanulaceaB are a handsome order of flowers, 
 blue being the prevailing colour. Although there are 
 eleven genera, more than half the 220 species belong 
 to the typical genus Campanula. The pretty little ivy- 
 leaved campanula is characteristic of Devonshire woods 
 and lanes ; but the Canterbury -bell and nettle-leaved 
 bell-flower are known to every one. By the side of 
 Welsh mountain streams the latter may be seen to per- 
 fection in the month of August, making the banks 
 brilliant with their showy blue flowers. The fragile 
 little Hair-bell needs no description, but there are 
 several species not unlike the Hair-bell among the 
 chief glories of the Alpine flora. 
 
 CAMPANULA. 
 
 Corolla usually five-cleft ; stigma two or five-cleft ; 
 capsule opening by the side. 
 
 1. C, rotundifolia. (Hair-bell.) The only truly 
 wild species we can boast of; common, and very well- 
 known. 
 
 JASIONE. 
 
 Corolla wheel-shaped,- 5 lobes ; stigma two or three- 
 cleft ; capsule two or three-celled. 
 
 1. J. montana. (Sheep Vbit.) Like a Scabious, 
 but distinguished by its united anthers ; leaves blunt 
 and hairy ; flowers pale blue, in terminal heads. 
 Shanklin Chine. 
 
 ORDER XLL VACCINIACEJE. Cranberry tribe. 
 Calyx from the ovary, 4 6 lobes; corolla of 1 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 77 
 
 petal, 4 6 lobes ; stamens free, twice number of the 
 lobes, inserted on the disk of the corolla ; anthers 
 opening with 2 valves; bristled; ovary 4 10 cells; 
 cells many-seeded ; fruit a berry crowned. 
 
 The Vacciniaceao or Cranberry order are plants pro- 
 ducing a berry-like fruit. The marsh species grows in 
 bogs in Russia, Sweden, Germany, and the north of 
 England, and is very rare with us. The American 
 cranberry of Canada and Virginia is a larger fruit, and 
 grows on high sandy lands. Russian cranberries are 
 largely exported to this country, and are much used 
 in making tarts, &c. From Hudson's Bay another 
 species has been introduced, the plant about the same 
 size as our English species, but with fruit six or seven 
 times as large. Cranberries will keep for a long time 
 if preserved in fresh and pure water. The fruit is 
 highly acid and of peculiar flavour The blossoms are 
 small, consisting of four distinct petals, rolled back to 
 the base, and of a beautiful deep flesh colour. The 
 order is nearly allied to the heaths. 
 
 YACCINIUM. 
 
 Calyx four or five-lobed ; corolla bell-shaped, four 
 or five-cleft; stamens 8 10; berry four or five- 
 celled. 
 
 1. V. Myrtillus. (Bilberry.) Leaves not ever- 
 green, egg-shaped, serrated; flowers solitary and 
 drooping ; berries black with a bloom. Ventnor and 
 Shanklin Downs. 
 
 2. V. OxyCQCCOS, (Marsh Cranberry.) Leaves 
 evergreen, anthers not bristled; stem prostrate; leaves 
 egg-shaped, glaucous beneath ; corolla four-cleft ; red 
 flowers ; rare. Rookley Wilderness. 
 
78 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 OEDER XLIL ERICACEAE, Heath tribe. 
 Calyx four or five- cleft, inferior ; corolla 1 petal, four 
 or five-cleft ; stamens equal number or twice as many ; 
 anthers dry, bristled ; ovary not adhering, many- seeded ; 
 style 1 ; stigma 1 ; fruit a dry capsule. 
 
 ERICA. 
 
 Calyx deeply four-cleft : corolla bell-shaped ; stamens 
 8 ; capsule four- celled. 
 
 1. E. Tetralix. (Cross-leaved Heath.) Leaves 
 opposite, 4 in a whorl; flowers in pink, waxy, ter- 
 minal heads to one side. Rookley Wilderness. 
 
 2. E. cinerea. (Fine-leaved Heath.) Leaves in 
 threes, narrow flowers in whorled, leafy clusters ; deep 
 pink. Abundant on dry heaths. 
 
 CALLUNA. 
 
 A shrub ; leaves imbricated in 4 rows. 
 
 C. Vlllgaris. (Ling.) The common Heather of our 
 moors ; distinguished by fine green bracts below the 
 calyx. Kennerly Heath. 
 
 ORDER XLIIL MONOTROPACE2E. Bird's-nest tribe. 
 Sepals 4 5, soon falling ; corolla deeply four or five- 
 cleft; stamens 8 10; anthers with pores ; ovary four 
 or five-celled; style 1 ; stigma lobed; fruit a dry capsule. 
 
 MONOTROPA. 
 
 1. M. Hypopitys. (Pine BirdVnest.) Parasitical 
 at the roots of trees ; bracts in place of leaves ; brownish 
 flowers. Landslip (?) ; rare. 
 
 ORDER XLIV. AdUIFOLIACEJE. Holly tribe. 
 Sepals 4 6 ; corolla 4 6 ; stamens alternate, with 
 corolla lobes ; fruit a fleshy berry, 2 6 seeds. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 79 
 
 Calyx 4 5 ; stamens 4 5 ; berry with several hard 
 seeds. 
 
 ILEX. 
 1 . I. Aquifolium, The holly, common in thickets. 
 
 OEDER XLY. OLEACE-ffi. Olive tribe. 
 
 Calyx divided, not falling off; corolla of 1, four or 
 eight-cleft, sometimes wanting ; ovary two-celled ; two- 
 seeded ; style 1 ; berry-like fruit. 
 
 The corolliflorous order Oleacese is of great impor- 
 tance, the far-famed olive being the typical genus. It has 
 never been successfully cultivated north of latitude 45, 
 though apparently extreme heat is injurious to the 
 tree as well as cold. All travellers in the south of 
 Europe are familiar with the monotonous dark green 
 foliage of the olive, a picturesque tree only when old 
 enough for the trunk to develope the fantastic and 
 gnarled shapes for which they are famous. The fruit is 
 a fleshy drupe, almost the only one having an oily pulp. 
 The growth of the olive is exceedingly slow; the old 
 proverb, " No man who has planted an olive has ever 
 tasted the fruit," is not literally true, but illustrative 
 of the slow growth. The crop is ripe about the end 
 of November, but abundant on an average, only every 
 other year. The ash, privet, and lilacs are included in 
 the order, although the ash differs so widely from the 
 other genera that it might almost be placed in a 
 separate order. 
 
 LIGUSTEUM. 
 
 Corolla tubular, four-cleft ; calyx four-cleft ; fruit a 
 two-celled berry. 
 
 L. vulgare. The common Privet, with shiny black 
 
80 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 berries ; narrow leaves ; sickly smelling. Wroxall ; 
 Brading Woods, and other places. 
 
 FRAXINUS. 
 
 Corolla and calyx wanting ; fruit a two-celled capsule. 
 1. F. excelsior. The Ash, a common tree. 
 
 ORDER XL VI QENTIANACEJE. Gentian tribe. 
 
 Calyx usually five-cleft ; corolla of 1 petal, five-Jobed ; 
 twisted when in bud; stamens usually 5, alternate 
 with corolla lobes ; ovary of 2 carpels, one or two- 
 celled ; style 1 ; stigma 2 ; fruit many- seeded. 
 
 The Gentians belong to a genus of plants of the 
 natural order Gentianacea3, with five-cleft sometimes 
 four-cleft calyx, and one-celled capsule. The species are 
 numerous, and are found in temperate parts of Europe, 
 Asia, and America, many of them growing in high 
 mountain pastures, which they adorn by their beautiful 
 blue or yellow flowers. The genus is said to derive its 
 name from. Gentius, King of Illyria, B.C. 160, to whom 
 is ascribed the introduction into use of the species still 
 used in medicine. The genus Geuiiana is pre-eminent 
 in its order for beauty and utility. About sixty species 
 have been cultivated in Britain. The part employed in 
 medicine is the root, which is cylindrical, and more or less 
 branched ; and which appears in commerce in a dried 
 state, in pieces varying from a few inches to a foot in 
 length. Gentian is a highly-valued medicine, a simple 
 tonic, bitter, without astringency, and is much used in 
 diseases of the digestive organs. The flowers of the gen- 
 tians are very large as compared to the body of the plant, 
 and have an exquisitely outlined campanulate shape. 
 The spring gentian (G. verna) is perhaps the best- 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 81 
 
 known, as it is one of the most beautiful of the genus. 
 The normal plant grows wild on some of the barren 
 mountains of England, and forms an excellent edging 
 to the flower-border, opening its large azure blossoms 
 in April, as one of the most gorgeous floral glories of 
 our spring. The order Gentianaceae contains upwards 
 of 450 known species, many of which besides the gen- 
 tians have valuable medicinal properties, such as the 
 buckbean and centaury. 
 
 GENTIANA. 
 
 Calyx four or five-cleft; corolla funnel or salver- 
 shaped ; stamens 5, rarely 4. 
 
 1. G. Amarella. (Autumn Gentian.) Erect; 
 branched; several flowers, which are salver-shaped, 
 and five-cleft ; purple. Ventnor Downs. 
 
 2. G. campestris. (Field Gentian.) A similar 
 plant, with corolla four-cleft. Ventnor Downs. 
 
 EEYTHE^EA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft; corolla funnel-shaped, five-cleft ; 
 stamens 5 ; anthers twisted ; capsule two-celled. 
 
 1. E. Centaurium. (Common Centaury.) Erect 
 and forked; tufts of rose-coloured flowers; leaves ribbed 
 but smooth, opposite ; expand in the sun only. Downs. 
 
 2. E. pulchella. A dwarf species found on 
 Bembridge Downs ; Landslip. 
 
 CHLOEA. 
 
 Corolla and calyx eight-cleft ; stamens 8 ; stigma 
 two or four-cleft. 
 
 1. C. perfoliata. (Perfoliate Yellow Wort.) A 
 very handsome bright yellow flower, expanding in the 
 sun. Stem passes through each pair of leaves, which 
 are glaucous. Downs and cliffs. 
 
 G 
 
82 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 MENYANTHES. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft; corolla funnel-shaped, five-lobed, 
 and fringed ; stamens 5 ; stigma two-lobed 
 
 1. M. trifoliata. (Bog Bean.) Leaves broadly 
 three-lobed ; flower pinky-white, and very beautiful 
 because of the delicate fringe. Bogs ; not common. 
 Godshill and Eookley Marshes. 
 
 ORDER XLVIL CONVOLVULACE^. Bindweed tribe. 
 Calyx 5 ; imbricated and unequal ; corolla of 1 petal, 
 plaited ; stamens 5 ; ovary two to four-celled ; few- 
 seeded ; style 1 ; stigmas 2 ; capsule one to four cells. 
 
 CONVOLVULUS. 
 
 Corolla trumpet-shaped, with 5 plaits and 5 lobes ; 
 no bracts : capsule two-celled. 
 
 J. C. arvensis. (Field Bindweed.) Climbing; 
 leaves arrow-shaped ; flowers 1 3, together; rose 
 colour ; common ; minute bracts. 
 
 CALYSTEGIA. 
 
 Calyx in 2 bracts ; style 1 ; stigmas 2 ; capsule one- 
 celled, two-valved. 
 
 1. C. Sepium. (Great Bindweed.) A pernicious 
 weed, difficult to exterminate ; large pure white 
 flowers ; large bracts. Common. 
 
 2.C. Soldanella. (Sea Bindweed.) Leaves fleshy 
 and kidney-shaped ; flowers solitary, large, striped 
 with deep pink ; stem four-sided ; bracts large ; grow- 
 ing in the sand. Rare. St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 CUSCUTA. 
 
 Calyx four or five-cleft ; corolla bell-shaped, four or 
 five-cleft; 4 5 scales within. 
 
 1. C, Epithymum. (Lesser Dodder.) A rare para- 
 
OP THE UNDERCL1FF AND ]TS VICINITY. 83 
 
 site. A tangled mass of pink thread-like stems and pink- 
 white flowers ; occasionally on furze bushes. Yentnor. 
 
 ORDER XLVIIL BORAGINACEJE. Borage tribe. 
 
 Calyx four or five-cleft, not falling off; corolla 1 
 petal ; stamens 5, alternate with corolla lobes ; ovary 
 four-cleft,, four- seeded; style 1 ; fruit 2 or 4 seeds, each 
 enclosed ; leaves alternate, bristly 
 
 The genus Borago is perhaps one of the truest types 
 of an order in modern botany, for all plants in the 
 Boraginaceaa or Borage tribe have the most marked 
 characteristics, of the typical genus. The plants are 
 covered with stiff white hairs, and are rough-leaved. 
 They have also the same insipid juice. No less than 
 280 species of the order are indigenous to Great 
 Britain, which are grouped in twenty-six genera. 
 From time immemorial borage Ijas been used as an 
 ingredient in claret or Moselle cup. The genus 
 Lithospermum (Gromwell) is remarkable for its curious 
 seeds, of which Dr. Bromfield gives a good description 
 in his " Flora Vectensis : " " The seeds are about a 
 line and a half in length, pointed at the apex, bluish or 
 greyish white, or brownish yellow. The testa is ex- 
 tremely hard, smooth, and polished, resembling porce- 
 lain, and enclosing a jet-black, wrinkled, and shining 
 nucleus. The seeds, which resemble miniature eggs 
 of porcelain, would, from the stony hardness of the 
 shell, be long in vegetating, were not the latter endued 
 with the faculty of spontaneously falling to pieces, and 
 so exposing the embryo to air and moisture." The 
 Pulmonaria, or Lungwort, is a rare British species, 
 but found sparingly with us in the Isle of Wight. It 
 is easily identified by its spotted leaves. 
 
 G 2 
 
84 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ECHIUM. 
 
 Corolla irregular ; stamens unequal in length. 
 
 1- E. vulgare. (Viper's Bugloss.) Very prickly; 
 leaves narrow ; flowers in lateral spikes ; 2 3 feet 
 high ; brilliant blue ; calyx before flowering pinkish. 
 Not very common. Near Shanklin. 
 
 PULMONARIA. 
 
 Calyx tubular, five-cleft; corolla funnel-shaped; 
 stamens enclosed in corolla. 
 
 1. P. angustifolia. A plant rather peculiar to 
 the tertiary parts of the Isle of Wight and Hamp- 
 shire. Spotted leaves; terminal heads of blue 
 flowers. 
 
 LITHOSPERMUM. 
 
 Calyx deeply five-cleft ; corolla funnel-shaped, with 
 5 scales ; seeds stony. 
 
 1. L. arvense. (Corn Gromwell.) Branched; 
 narrow leaves ; seed wrinkled ; bristly ; small white 
 flowers. Corn-fields 
 
 SYMPHYTU-M. 
 
 Calyx deeply five-cleft ; corolla bell-shaped ; 5 scales. 
 
 1. S. officinale. (Comfrey.) Stem winged ; leaves 
 pointed ; flowers in 2 forked clusters ; 2 3 feet high ; 
 thick foliage ; white, pink, or purple ; by streams. 
 San down ; Godshill. 
 
 BORAGO. 
 
 Calyx deeply five-cleft ; corolla wheel-shaped ; petals 
 sharply pointed ; 5 scales ; stamens divided. 
 
 1. B. officilialis, (Borage.) A stout herbaceous 
 plant, covered with white prickles ; deep blue flowers ; 
 black anthers. Common. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 85 
 
 LYCOPSIS. 
 
 Calyx deeply iive-cleft ; corolla salver- shaped, blunt 
 scales. 
 
 1. L. arvensis. (Small Bugloss.) Leaves almost 
 thistle-like; flowers in forked clusters of beautiful 
 bright blue, with tube of corolla curiously bent. 
 Common. 
 
 MYOSOTIS 
 
 Calyx five-cleft; corolla salver-shaped, twisted i 
 bud ; blunt scales. 
 
 1. M. palustris, (Forget-me-not.) Root creep- 
 ing ; calyx with bristles ; light green, roughish leaves ; 
 bright blue one-sided flowers. French Mill ; Godshill. 
 Abundant, and very fine. 
 
 2. M. arvensis. (Scorpion Grass.) An insigni- 
 ficant little blue flower. Small hairy leaves. Very 
 common. 
 
 3. M. versicolor. (Party-coloured Scorpion Grass.) 
 Calyx bristly; clusters of flowers on long leafless stalk; 
 flowers blue and yellow on same plant. Common. 
 
 4. M. COllina. A very small species, frequently 
 overlooked. Not uncommon. Flowers bright blue. 
 
 CYNOGLOSSUM. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla funnel-shaped, with scales ; 
 seed flattened, prickly. 
 
 1. C, Officinale. (Hounds' Tongue.) An evil- 
 smelling plant, with glossy-white leaves, and dull red 
 flowers, which are numerous. Common by roadside. 
 
 ORDER XLIX. SOLANACEJE. Nightshade tribe. 
 Calyx 5, rarely four-cleft ; inferior ; corolla I petal ; 
 
86 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 plaited in bud ; stamens alternate with corolla-lobes ; 
 anthers opening by pores; ovary 2; style 1; stigma 
 simple ; seed numerous, in two or four-celled capsules. 
 
 SOLANUM. 
 
 Corolla wheel-shaped, five-cleft, reflexed; berry 
 round, 2 or more cells. 
 
 1. S. Dulcamara. (Woody Nightshade.) G-ene- 
 rally mistaken for the Deadly Nightshade. Purple 
 flowers, yellow anthers ; creeping ; red berries, which 
 are poisonous. 
 
 2. S, nigrum, (Black Nightshade.) Leaves egg- 
 shaped, toothed ; flowers drooping ; white flowers ; 
 black berries. Waste places ; common. The Atropa, 
 or Deadly Nightshade is not found on the Undercliff. 
 
 HYOSCYAMUS. 
 
 Carolla funnel-shaped, five-lobed; capsule two-celled; 
 closing with a lid. 
 
 1. H. niger. (Henbane.) A deadly plant; large, 
 viscid, hairy leaves ; cream-coloured flowers, dark in 
 the centre, in clusters. Rare. Bonchurch ; Yentnor. 
 
 ORDER L. OROBANCHACE-ZE. Broom Rape tribe. 
 
 Calyx divided, not falling off; corolla irregular, 
 usually two-lipped, imbricated in the bud; stamens 4, 
 2 long, 2 short ; anthers pointed, or bearded at base ; 
 ovary in fleshy disc, many-seeded ; style 1 ; stigma 
 two-lobed; capsule two-valved; seeds 2 4 rows. Curious 
 brown parasitical plants on ivy and other things. 
 
 OROBANCHE. 
 
 Calyx of 2 lateral sepals ; 1 3 bracts ; corolla 
 four or five-cleft, not falling off. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 87 
 
 1. 0. minor. (Lesser Broom Rape.) Stamens 
 hairy above, smooth below ; styles smooth. Sandown 
 Barracks ; Shanklin. 
 
 2. 0. HederSB. (Ivy Broom Rape.) The com- 
 monest Isle of Wight species, tube of corolla curved, 
 upper lip two-lobed ; yellowish brown. Landslip, and 
 other places. 
 
 3. 0. CSerulea. (Purple Broorn Rape.) Rare; 
 flowers each with 3 bracts ; purple corolla. Yaverland. 
 
 LATHRJBA. 
 
 Calyx bell-shaped, four-cleft ; corolla two-lipped, 
 with one entire. 
 1. L. Squamaria. (Toothwort.) On the roots of 
 
 hazel, with tooth-shaped scales up the stem ; one- 
 sided flowers, which are purplish ; branched under- 
 ground only. Very rare. Gatcombe. 
 
 ORDER LL SCROPHULAKIACE^l. Figwort tribe. 
 
 Calyx four to five-lobed, not falling off; corolla 
 irregular, mostly two-lipped; stamens 4, 2 long, 2 
 short, or 2 5 ; ovary two-celled ; style 1 ; stigma two- 
 lobed ; capsule two-celled, two or four-valved. 
 
 The order Scrophulariacese comprises a number of 
 both ornamental garden plants, such as the calceolaria, 
 pentstemon, antirrhinum, and indigenous genera, such 
 as the foxglove (one of the most powerful drugs in the 
 Materia Medica), toad-flax, mullein, veronica, louse- 
 wort, and the figwort, the type of the order. It is 
 astonishing to find the varied calceolarias grouped with 
 the common figwort, but an examination of the mono- 
 petalous, somewhat labiate flowers, growing in a 
 
88 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 loose spike, and common to both plants, will prove 
 how nearly allied they are. 
 
 DIGITALIS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla not spurred. 
 1. D. purpurea. (Foxglove.) Common on every 
 heath or moor. Very poisonous. 
 
 LIN ARIA. 
 
 Calyx five-parted, corolla spurred, mouth closed; 
 capsule oblique. 
 
 1. L. Cymbalaria. (Ivy-leaved Toad Flax.) A 
 pretty creeping plant with pale lilac flowers, like a 
 minute snapdragon. Common on old walls; St. 
 Lawrence. 
 
 2. L. VUlgaris. (Yellow Toad Flax.) Pointed 
 leaves, glaucous ; bright yellow. Common in hedges 
 and corn-fields. 
 
 3. L. minor. (Least Toad Flax.) Erect, branched ; 
 flowers axillary; calyx larger than spur; yellowish. 
 Whitecliff Bay. 
 
 L. spuria. (Fluellen.) Leaves downy ; flowers 
 yellow and violet. Dry fields." 
 
 SCROPHULARIA. 
 
 Calyx five-lobed ; corolla with 2 shut lips, upper one 
 two-lobed, small scale within ; capsule two-valved. 
 
 1 . S. nodosa. (Knotted Figwort.) Angular stem ; 
 leaves cordate, smooth, purple flowers. Very common. 
 
 2. S, aquatica. (Water Figwort.) Stem winged 
 at each angle ; leaves ovate ; dark purple. Common in 
 streams. 
 
 MELAMPYRUM. 
 Calyx tubular, four-toothed; corolla, upper lip 
 
MELAMPYRUM ARVENSE (P89.) 
 1 Reeve kC London 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 89 
 
 turned back, lower lip three-cleft; capsule oblong, 
 pointed ; seed 1 or 2 in each cell. 
 
 1. M. pratense. (Yellow Cow- wheat.) Leaves 
 in pairs, bracts ; flowers yellow and axillary. Common 
 in woods. 
 
 2. M. arvense. (Purple Cow-wheat.) Flowers 
 in spikes, yellow, with dense rose-coloured calyx. 
 Above the Pelham Woods ; a rare plant. 
 
 PEDICULARIS. 
 
 Calyx inflated, segments leaf-like ; corolla two- 
 lipped; upper one plain, lower one three-lobed; 
 capsule flattened ; seeds angular. 
 
 1. P. palustris. (Red Rattle.) Stem solitary, 
 branched above ; calyx hairy ; pink flowers in a loose 
 spike; leaves deeply cut. Rookley Marshes. Un- 
 common. 
 
 2. P, sylvatica. (Dwarf Red Rattle.) Prostrate ; 
 branching ; calyx smooth ; pink. Damp fields ; common. 
 
 RHINANTHUS. 
 
 Calyx inflated, four-lobed ; corolla two-lipped, upper 
 one plain, lower one three-lobed ; capsule flattened ; 
 seeds numerous. 
 
 l.R. Crista-Galli. (Yellow Rattle.) Leaves 
 narrow, serrated ; flowers in loose spikes, yellow, ripe 
 seeds rattle in the husk. About Shanklin. 
 
 EUPHRASIA. 
 
 Calyx tubular, four-cleft; corolla with upper lip 
 divided, lower one three-lobed, anthers spurred ; cap- 
 sule flattened ; seeds numerous and ribbed. 
 
 1. E. officinalis. (Eye-bright.) A small plant 
 with deeply-cut serrated leaves ; flowers white, veined 
 with purple. Banks near the sea ; very plentiful. 
 
90 WILD FLOWEES 
 
 VERONICA. 
 
 Corolla wheel-shaped, four-cleft ; lower segment 
 narrow ; stamens 2. 
 
 1. V. serpyllifolia. (Thyme-leaved Speedwell.) 
 Leaves egg-shaped, smooth, notched, three-ribbed; 
 capsules shorter than style ; light blue flowers, with 
 dark veins. Common. 
 
 2. V. arvensis. (Wall Speedwell.) Leaves ovate, 
 serrated bracts; light blue flowers; plant downy. 
 Common. 
 
 3. V. Chamsedrys. (Germander Speedwell.) 
 Stem with hairy lines ; leaves sessile, capsule shorter 
 than calyx; axillary clusters of bright blue flowers. 
 Every bank. 
 
 4 V. montana. (Mountain Speedwell.) Stem 
 hairy, procumbent ; leaves ovate, serrated ; flowers few, 
 pale lilac, veined. Woods. 
 
 5. V. officinalis. (Common Speedwell.) Flowers 
 in spikes ; stem creeping ; pale blue flowers. Downs. 
 
 6. V. Beccabunga, (Brooklime.) Smooth, 
 leaves oval, lateral clusters of deep blue flowers. 
 Ditches ; common. 
 
 7. V. Anagallis. (Water Speedwell.) Smooth, 
 leaves lanceolate, serrated ; clusters opposite, erect 
 and stout plant ; pale coloured flowers. Not common ; 
 St. Lawrence Pond. Several other common varieties 
 
 abound. 
 
 VERBASCUM. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla wheel-shaped, five-cleft ; 
 stamens hairy, 5. 
 
 1. V. ThapSUS. (Great Mullein.) Leaves white 
 and flannel-like ; stem tough, 2 5 feet, with dense 
 spikes of yellow flowers, 2 stamens larger than the 
 rest. Common. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 91 
 
 OEDEE LII. LABIATJE. Labiate tribe. 
 
 Calyx tubular, two-lipped, regular ; corolla irregular, 
 two-lipped, lower lip larger, and three-lobed ; stamens 
 4, 2 longer than the others, sometimes wanting ; 
 ovary four-lobed ; style 1 ; stigma two-cleft ; 4 seeds, 
 each enclosed ; square stems, leaves opposite. 
 
 The Labiates are a large order of plants distinguished 
 by the gaping two-lipped flowers. The flowers are 
 mostly produced in whorls, and have square stems, all, 
 or nearly all, are aromatic. The herbs of our gardens, 
 such as mint, marjoram, rosemary, balm, thyme, and 
 lavender are all labiate flowers. Some species are 
 strikingly handsome, as the wild balm and Galeopsis 
 vesicolor, or bee-nettle, which is almost as like a bee 
 as the bee-orchis. Camphor is contained in many 
 labiate plants in small proportions ; in lavender to such 
 an extent, that it is a question whether separating it 
 might not prove a profitable process. 
 
 LYCOPUS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla four-cleft ; stamens 2. 
 
 1. L. EuropseilS. (Gi-ipsy Wort.) Leaves deeply 
 cut, pale flesh-colour ; flowers in the axil of the leaves. 
 Godshill Marshes. 
 
 SALVIA. 
 
 Calyx two-cleft ; corolla wide ; stamens 2 ; filaments 
 forked. 
 
 1. S. verbenaca, (Wild Sage.) Blunt crenate 
 leaves ; corolla short ; aromatic plant, with purple 
 flowers in a long spike ; leaves few, heart-shaped, acute 
 bracts. Common. 
 
92 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 MENTHA. 
 
 Calyx equal, five-toothed ; corolla regular, four- 
 cleft ; short tube. 
 
 1. M. rotundifolia. (Round-leaved Mint.) Leaves 
 sessile, wrinkled, smooth above; flowers in dense 
 round spikes, lilac. St. Lawrence. 
 
 2. M, hirsuta, (Hairy Mint.) Leaves stalked ; 
 flowers in whorls 1 2 feet high, lilac. Common in 
 ditches ; other varieties of Mentha are not uncommon. 
 
 THYMUS. 
 
 Calyx two-lipped ; ten or thir teen-ribbed, hairy ; 
 corolla two-lipped, lower one three-lobed ; flowers in 
 heads. 
 
 1. T. Serpyllnm. (Common Wild Thyme.) Yery 
 common on dry banks ; purplish-pink flowers. 
 
 ORIGANUM. 
 
 Calyx five-toothed, ten or thirteen-ribbed, throat 
 hairy ; flowers in spikes, imbricated with bracts, lips 
 nearly equal. 
 
 1. 0. vulgare. (Marjoram.) Leaves egg-shaped, 
 downy ; heads of purple flowers, with long bracts ; 
 deep red in bud. Dry pastures ; Pelham Woods. 
 
 AJUGA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla with upper lip very short, 
 lower one three or four-cleft. 
 
 1. A, reptans. (Bugle.) Erect, lower leaves 
 stalked, upper ones sessile; creeping runners; lower 
 lip four-cleft ; flowers in a whorled spike, blue. Very 
 common. 
 
OP THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 93 
 
 TEUCRIUM. 
 
 Galyx five-cleft ; corolla, upper lip two-cleft, lower 
 three-cleft, upper lipvery short. 
 
 1. T. Scorodonia. (Germander.) Leaves heart- 
 shaped, crenate, downy; flowers in one-sided racemes, 
 pale yellow. Pelham Woods. 
 
 BALLOTA. 
 
 Calyx funnel-shaped, five-cleft ; corolla 2 unequal 
 lips ; stamens larger than tube, lower lip three-lobed. 
 
 1. B. nigra. (Black Horehound.) Leaves downy, 
 crenate, serrated; flowers numerous, purple. St. 
 Lawrence; Ventnor. 
 
 GALEOBDOLON. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft, five-ribbed ; corolla unequal, lower 
 lip three-lobed, acute; 4 stamens, 2 longer. 
 
 1. G. luteum, (Yellow Dead Nettle.) A hand- 
 some yellow flower, red spotted ; leaves ovate, bright 
 green. Common in woods ; Kew copses. 
 
 GALEOPSIS. 
 
 Calyx five-toothed, bell-shaped ; corolla inflated, un- 
 equal, lower lip three-lobed, with 2 teeth, 2 stamens 
 longest. 
 
 1. G. Tetrahit. (Hemp Nettle.) Stem bristly, 
 branches opposite; corolla twice length of calyx; 
 purple or white flowers in whorls. Fields ; common. 
 
 2. G. Ladaimm. (Red Hemp Nettle.) Stem and 
 leaves downy, mottled crimson flowers ; corolla notched. 
 Common. 
 
 LAMIUM. 
 
 Calyx five-toothed, bell-shaped; corolla unequal, 
 
 v 
 
94 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 lower lip two-cleft, with 1 or 2 teeth at the base 2 
 stamens longest. 
 
 1 L. album, Common white dead nettle. 
 
 2. L, purpureum, Common purple dead nettle. 
 
 BETONICA. 
 
 Calyx five-toothed, egg-shaped; 10 ribs; tube of 
 corolla unequal, larger than calyx, lower lip 3 unequal 
 lobes, 2 stamens longest. 
 
 1. B. officinalis. (Wood Betony.) Root leaves 
 cordate, long stalks ; interrupted spike ; pink flowers, 
 6 in each whorl. Common in woods. 
 
 STACHYS. 
 
 Calyx tubular, five cleft; corolla unequal, larger 
 than calyx ; upper lip notched, lower lip three-lobed ; 
 2 stamens longest. 
 
 1. S, sylvatica. (Woundwort.) Leaves heart- 
 shaped, serrated ; flowers 6 in a whorl ; deep red. 
 Very common. 
 
 2. S. palustris (Marsh Woundwort) jis not un- 
 common. 
 
 NEPETA. 
 
 Calyx tubular, five-toothed; corolla unequal, larger 
 than calyx ; upper lip notched, lower one three-lobed ; 
 2 front stamens shortest. 
 
 1. N. Cataria, (Cat Mint.) Leaves downy, 
 stalked ; stem erect ; flowers white, spotted with 
 purple ; aromatic ; hedges. St. Lawrence. 
 
 2 N. Glechoma. (Ground Ivy.) The common 
 trailing little plant with blue flowers common to every 
 
 hedge. 
 
 CALAMINTHA. 
 
 Calyx two-cleft, thirteen-ribbed ; swollen ; corolla 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 95 
 
 unequal, upper lip three-cleft, lower one two-cleft; 
 hairy. 
 
 1. C. officinalis. (Calamint.) Leaves slightly 
 serrated ; flowers in forked axillary cymes ; aromatic ; 
 pale purple. Dry roadsides. 
 
 2. C. Sylvestris. Discovered by Dr. Bromfield 
 as indigenous in the Island. Rowledge Farm. For 
 ample descriptions vide Bromfield's " Flora Vectensis." 
 Rare. 
 
 3. C. Clinopodilim. (Wild Basil.) Leaves egg- 
 shaped, stalked ; hairy ; flowers 2 3 whorls ; purple 
 flowers, and pointed bracts. Not common. Land- 
 slip. 
 
 PRUNELLA. 
 
 Corolla two-lipped, unequal; calyx two-lipped; 
 stamens two-forked. 
 
 1. P. vulgaris. (Self-heal.) A very common 
 little bluish-purple flower, with bracts beneath each 
 whorl ; leaves entire. Every pasture. 
 
 SCUTELLARIA. 
 
 Corolla two-lipped, upper one swollen ; calyx two- 
 lobed, shorter than corolla tube. 
 
 1. S, minor. (Lesser Skull-cap.) 4 6 inches; 
 egg-shaped leaves; crenated; pink, spotted inside. 
 Bogs. Sandown Level ; Rookley. 
 
 ORDER LIIL VEKBENACE2E. Vervain tribe. 
 
 Calyx tubular, not falling off ; corolla irregular ; a 
 long tube ; stamens 4, 2 long, 2 short ; ovary two or 
 four-celled; style 1; stigma two-cleft; seeds 2 4, 
 adhering. 
 
96 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 VERBENA. 
 
 Calyx five-clef fc ; corolla five-cleft ; stamens short. 
 
 1. V. officinalis. (Vervain.) A slender, branched 
 plant ; leaves deeply cat and serrated ; flower in spikes ; 
 lilac. Undercliff generally. 
 
 ORDER LIV. PBIMULACEJE, Primrose tribe. 
 
 Calyx 5, rarely four-cleft; corolla five-cleft: sta- 
 mens 5 ; ovary one-celled ; style 1 ; stigma swollen at 
 head ; capsule one-celled ; seeds numerous ; attached. 
 
 The Primulacese are an extensive order of corolli- 
 florous plants, such as the primrose, oxlip, cowslip, 
 the hybrid polyanthus, auriculas, the exquisite Alpine 
 soldanella, and many others. The oxlip, uncommon, 
 in most parts of England, is plentiful in the Isle of 
 Wight, varying much in size and colour; its leaves 
 are somewhat sinuated and contracted about the mid- 
 dle, more like the cowslip than the common primrose. 
 The flowers are usually umbelled, although we find 
 single ones often on the same plant with a cluster. 
 In fact, it is possible to gather a series of twenty 
 specimens of primrose, cowslip, "and oxlip, in which 
 the transition from one to the other is so gradual that 
 few could say to which species each should be referred. 
 It is undoubtedly a fact that all three species have 
 been raised from the seed of a single plant, and often 
 oxlips will come up in gardens, after a year or two, 
 exactly like primroses. The three species may be 
 distinct, but they are certainly liable to change their 
 character. It should be stated that this is the experi- 
 ence obtained by five years' observation. 
 PRIMULA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft; stamens 5; capsule with 10 teeth. 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 97 
 
 1. P, vulgaris. (Common Primrose.) Woods 
 and banks. 
 
 2. P. veris. (Cowslip.) Flowers in clusters. 
 3. P. elatior. (Oxlip.) Flowers in umbel; Rew 
 
 Woods. 
 
 ANAGALLIS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla wheel-shaped ; stamens 5 ; 
 hairy ; capsule splitting all round. 
 
 1. A, arvensis. The common scarlet pimpernel. 
 2. A. tenella. (Bog Pimpernel.) Creeping; 
 small leaves, opposite; flower-stalks long; flowers 
 rose colour, twisted in bud. Bogs ; Landslip ; Niton. 
 
 LYSIMACHIA. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; corolla wheel-shaped ; stamens 5 ; 
 not hairy; capsule opening by valves. 
 
 1. L. nummularia. (Money-wort.) Leaves ovate; 
 creeping ; large yellow flowers. Common on banks. 
 
 2. L, nemorum. (Yellow Pimpernel.) Small 
 bright yellow flowers ; creeping ; leaves ovate, acute ; 
 sepals linear-lanceolate. Woods ; common. 
 
 GLAUX. 
 
 No calyx ; corolla bell-shaped, five-lobed ; stamens 
 5; capsule five- valved ; 5 10 seeds. 
 
 1. G. maritima. (Sea Milkwort.) Creeping; 
 leaves opposite ; fleshy ; flowers pink ; axillary. St. 
 Helen's Spit. 
 
 SAMOLUS. 
 
 Calyx five-cleft ; not falling off ; corolla salver- 
 shaped ; 5 scales at the mouth ; stamens 5 ; capsule 
 with 5 reflexed teeth. 
 
 1. S. Valerandi. (Brookweed.) Stem succu- 
 lent ; leaves alternate ; a bract below each flower ; 
 clustered; white. Common in moist places. 
 
 H 
 
98 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ORDER LV. PLUMBAGINACEJE. Thrift tribe. 
 
 Calyx tubular, plaited, chaffy, not falling off ; corolla 
 five-cleft; stamens 5; ovary 5 carpels; one-celled; 
 styles 5 ; fruit one-seeded. 
 
 ARMERIA. 
 
 Flowers in terminal clusters ; styles hairy. 
 1 . A. maritima. (Thrift.) Leaves linear, fleshy ; 
 flowers in pink heads. Sea cliffs ; Ventnor. Common. 
 
 STATICE. 
 
 Flowers in panicles ; styles smooth. 
 
 1. S. Limonium. (Sea Lavender.) Leaves 
 lanceolate, glaucus ; purplish blue, scentless panicles. 
 Brad ing Harbour. 
 
 ORDER LYI PLANTAGINACE^l. Plantain tribe. 
 
 Calyx four-cleft; corolla 4, chaffy, not falling off; 
 stamens alternate, with corolla segments, long and 
 threadlike, anthers lightly attached ; ovary two-celled, 
 rarely 4 ; style 1 ; stigma hairy ; capsule of 1 2 
 seeds, or numerous. 
 
 PLANTAGO. 
 
 Calyx segment bending back; corolla tubular, 
 spreading lobes ; stamens very long ; capsule two or 
 four-celled; leaves ribbed. 
 
 1. P. major. (Greater Plantain.) Leaves broadly 
 ovate; stem channelled; flowers in a spike, stem 
 round ; cells many-seeded ; greenish flowers, with 
 seeds much used for canaries. Common by roadside. 
 
 2. P. media. (Hoary Plantain.) Leaves on flat 
 stalks ; flower spike round and close ; cells one-seeded ; 
 leaves lie close pressed to the ground. Meadows. 
 
OF THE UNDEECL1FF AND ITS VICINITY. 99 
 
 3. P. lanceolata, (Eibwort Plantain.) Leaves 
 very narrow ; flower spike short and angular ; cells 
 one-seeded; flowers dark brown. Very common in 
 long grass. 
 
 4. P. maritima, (Seaside Plantain.) Leaves 
 linear, furrowed, fleshy and woolly at the base ; readily 
 known by the fleshy leaves. Sea-cliff and marshes ; 
 Brading. 
 
 5. P. Coronopus. (BuckVhorn Plantain.) 
 Leaves pinnatifid ; capsule four-celled, four-seeded ; 
 prostrate. Between Sandown and Shanklin. 
 
 OEDEE LYIL CHENOPODIACEJE. Goosefoot tribe. 
 
 Perianth five-lobed ; stamens 5, rarely 1 2 ; supe- 
 rior ; style 2 4, rarely simple ; stigma uncleft ; fruit 
 one-seeded, sometimes fleshy; flowers small and incon- 
 spicuous, imperfect; some with pistils only, other 
 stamens only. 
 
 The order Chenopodiacege are more useful than 
 ornamental. Many of the genera such as Chenopo- 
 dium, Salicornia, Salsola, yield quantities of alkali to 
 the manufacturer, and are of considerable value on that 
 account. The species described by Humboldt called 
 quinoa, is a goosefoot, and the leaves, which resemble 
 spinach, form a great article of food in Mexico and 
 South America. Plants of this order abound on sandy 
 shores, salt marshes, and such places. 
 
 CHENOPODIUM. 
 
 Perianth deeply five- cleft ; stamens 5 ; stigma 2 ; 
 leaves flat and shiny. 
 
 1. C. polyspermum. (Many-seeded Goose Grass.) 
 Spreading ; leaves egg-shaped and sessile ; flowers in 
 
 H 2 
 
100 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 slender spike and leafy ; seeds shining; 4 indies to 1 
 foot ; stem and leaves have a reddish tinge. Not com- 
 mon. America Woods. 
 
 2. C. Boims-Henricus. (G-ood King Henry.) 
 Leaves toothed and angular ; flowers compound, in a 
 leafless spike ; dark green and succulent thick leaves. 
 St. Lawrence. 
 
 3. C. album. (White Goosefoot.) Leaves egg- 
 shaped, but angular and toothed at the base. Upper 
 ones entire ; flowers in a dense spike ; covered all over 
 with a white powder; 1 3 feet high ; abundant by 
 roadsides. Several other species or varieties are na oaed 
 in Bromfield. 
 
 SILEDA. 
 
 Perianth five-cleft, fleshy; stamens 5; stigma 2 H. 
 
 1. S, maritima. (Annual Sea-blifce.) Leaves 
 fleshy and cylindrical ; greenish flowers, small. Muddy 
 sea-shores; common. 
 
 ATRIPLEX. 
 
 Stamens and pistils generally on separate plants ; 
 barren flower has calyx five-cleft, 5 stamens ; fertile 
 flower has calyx two-valved, stigmas 2, fruit one- 
 seeded. 
 
 1. A. laciniata. (Frosted Sea-Orache.) Stem 
 spreading ; leaves wavy at the edges, angular, toothed, 
 mealy beneath. St. Helen's ; Ventnor Cove. 
 
 Several other species given in the tf Island Flora," 
 but chiefly from the Cowes and Eyde districts. 
 
 BETA. 
 
 Perianth five-cleft ; stamens 5 ; stigmas 2 ; fruit one- 
 seeded. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 101 
 
 1. B. maritima. (Sea Beet.) A tall succulent 
 plant with fleshy, glossy leaves, and spike of greenish 
 flowers, 1 or 2 together, with a leaflet. St. Lawrence, 
 on the upper ledge of cliff. 
 
 SALSOLA. 
 
 Perianth five-cleft ; stamens 5 ; stigmas 2 ; fruit one- 
 seeded, crowned ; leaves cylindrical. 
 
 1. S. Kali. (Prickly Saltwort.) Prostrate, branched 
 stem ; succulent leaves, terminating in a sharp prickle; 
 flowers solitary, with 3 bracts at the base. Plentiful 
 on St. Helen's Spit. 
 
 SALICOKNIA. 
 
 Perianth undivided, fleshy ; stamans 1 2 ; style 
 short ; stigma two-cleft ; stem jointed ; no leaves. 
 
 1 . S, herbacea. (Jointed Glasswort.) 4 8 inches 
 high ; easily recognized by its fleshy joints fitting 
 into each other; flowers inconspicuous. St. Helen's 
 Spit. 
 
 2. S. radicans. Has prostrate-rooting stems. 
 
 ORDER LYIIL SCLERANTHACEJE. Knawel tribe. 
 
 Perianth tubular, four or five-cleft; stamens 5 10, 
 inserted into the tube; ovary 1, superior, one-celled; 
 styles 2 or 1, notched ; fruit enclosed. 
 
 SCLERANTHUS. 
 
 Calyx contracted, petals 3 ; stamens 10, rarely 5 ; 
 styles 2. 
 
 1. S. animus. (Annual Knawel.) A small plant, 
 24 inches high; green flowers; stem forked. Com- 
 mon. 
 
102 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ORDER LIX. POLYGONACEJE. Persicaria tribe. 
 
 Perianth three or six-cleft, often in 2 rows ; flowers 
 often bearing pistils, or stamens only ; stamens 5 8, 
 attached to perianth ; styles 2 or 3 ; fruit an angular 
 nut. 
 
 POLYGONUM. 
 
 Styles 3 ; fruit triangular. 
 
 1. P. aviculare. (Common Knot Grass.) Stem 
 branched; leaves narrow; flowers axillary, flesh- 
 coloured. Very common. 
 
 2. P. Convolvulus. (Climbing Persicaria.) Stem 
 clinging; leaves somewhat heart-shaped ; fruit rough ; 
 axillary flowers in a spike, 4 together ; greenish-white. 
 Everywhere. 
 
 3. P. amphibium. (Amphibious Persicaria.) 
 Erect ; leaves floating in water ; flowers in short spike ; 
 stamens 5; leaves oblong; pink; fruit flattened. 
 Ditches; common. 
 
 4. P. persicaria. (Spotted Persicaria.) Stem erect 
 and branched ; flowers in spikes ; stamens 6 ; stipules 
 fringed ; 1 2 feet high; large spotted leaves ; pinkish 
 flowers ; fruit flattened. In moist ground ; common. 
 
 5. P. Hydropiper. (Biting Persicaria.) Erect ; 
 flowers in a loose, drooping spike ; stamens 6 ; green- 
 ish. Common. 
 
 Other species are occasionally found. 
 
 EUMEX. 
 
 Perianth six-cleft, in two rows ; stamens 6 ; styles 3 ; 
 fruit an angular nut, covered by the perianth. 
 
 1. R. Hydrolapathum. (Great Water Dock.) 
 Leaves narrow, tapering, the lower ones heart-shaped, 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 103 
 
 very large ; flowers greenish, in loose spikes ; 4 6 
 feet high. By streams ; San down Level. 
 
 2. R. sanguineus, (Blood-red Yeined Dock) 
 Has leaves deeply veined with crimson. Abundant. 
 
 Several other species, with stamens and pistils on 
 the same plants as above. 
 
 3. R. Acetosa, (Common Sorrel.) Well known 
 by the acid flavour of its leaves. Reddish-green flowers ; 
 stamens and pistils on different plants. 
 
 4. R. Acetosella. (Sheep's Sorrel.) Smaller than 
 the last, often tinged red. Dry pastures ; abundant. 
 
 ORDER LX. SANTALACEJE, Sandal Wood tribe. 
 . Perianth four or five-cleft; stamens opposite the 
 lobes ; ovary one-celled ; style 1 ; stigma Icbed ; fruit 
 a hard drupe. 
 
 THESIUM. 
 
 1. T. linophyllum. (Bastard Toad Flax.) Stem 
 prostrate ; narrow, pointed leaves ; clusters of whitish 
 flowers. Cliffs and downs, Ventnor. 
 
 ORDER LXL ETJPHORBIACEJE. Spurge tribe. 
 
 Perianth lobed, with scales ; stamens and pistils on 
 separate flowers ; stamens varying in number ; ovary, 
 style, and stigma 3 (mostly) ; fruit three-celled, three- 
 seeded. A very large and important order. 
 
 The Euphorbiaceaa constitute a very large order of 
 plants, more peculiar to Africa than Europe, though 
 125 species are grown in England. They are remark- 
 able for a poisonous fluid in the stem, which is milky. 
 The poisoned arrows used by the natives of Polynesia 
 are prepared with a species of Euphorbias. The well- 
 known ipecacuanha is obtained from a foreign species. 
 
104 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 As a rule, boiling the plant does away with all dan- 
 gerous properties. This is the case with the cassava, 
 poisonous if uncooked, but much used as food after the 
 application of heat. Croton tinctorium also belongs 
 to this order. . E. Portlandica and E. Paralias .are the 
 two rare species found in the Isle of Wight, at Culver 
 Cliff and St. Helen's Spit respectively. 
 
 EUPHORBIA. 
 
 Perianth bell-shaped; 12 or more barren flowers, and 
 1 fertile one; stigma two-cleft. 
 
 1. E. amygdaloides. (Wood Spurge.) Perianth 
 tipped with glands ; stem branched in about 5 rays ; 
 each ray two-forked ; bracts perfoliate ; leaves narrow, 
 hairy beneath; 1 2 feet high; golden-green leaves 
 and flowers. Common in woods. 
 
 2. E. Peplus. (Petty Spurge.) A weed in gar- 
 dens 3 4 inches high ; pale coloured ; three-rayed and 
 forked, with numerous flowers, which are crescent- 
 shaped and pointed. 
 
 3. E. Paralias. (Sea Spurge.) A stout shrubby 
 plant, in masses among sand ; .leaves imbricated and 
 glaucous. Introduced at St. Helen's Spit by the late 
 Dr. Bromfield in 1848. 
 
 4 E. Portlandica. (Portland Spurge.) Grow- 
 ing among chalk debris at Culver Point plentifully ; 
 not so stout as the last ; stem tinged with red, also the 
 leaves. 
 
 5. E. Lathyris. (Caper Spurge.) A tall species 
 2 4 feet high; glaucous leaves, and heart-shaped 
 bracts, and large capsules. Near gardens at St. Law- 
 rence. Perhaps not truly wild. 
 
 6. -E, Helioscopia. (Sun Spurge.) Umbel of 5 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 105 
 
 rays ; separately forked ; leaves oblong, and partially 
 serrated; golden green. A common weed; also in 
 cultivated ground. 
 
 7. E. platyphylla. (Water Spurge.) Leaves 
 hairy beneath, smaller than the last ; capsules warty. 
 Brading. 
 
 8. E. Peplis. (Purple Spurge.) Peculiar to sandy 
 shores ; grows flat, and sends out branches at right 
 angles to the root ; the whole plant a purple hue. St. 
 Helen's Spit. 
 
 The last three species have not a pointed perianth. 
 
 MEECURIALIS. 
 
 Perianth three-cleft ; stamens and pistils on different 
 plants ; barren flower, with 9 stamens, or more ; fer- 
 tile flower, 2 styles; ovary two-lobed; capsule two- 
 celled, two- seeded. 
 
 1. M. perennis, (Dog Mercury.) Perennial; 
 stem simple ; leaves rough ; an early spring plant, 
 with small greenish flowers ; barren ones stalked, fer- 
 tile ones sessile. Abundant in every wood. 
 
 ORDER LXIL URTICACE^, Nettle tribe. 
 
 Perianth divided, sometimes wanting; stamens and 
 pistils on different flowers ; stamens equal to the lobes, 
 and opposite to them; ovary 1, simple; fruit a dry 
 capsule. 
 
 The Hop is the most important genus of the Urti- 
 caceae, or nettle order. The name hop is of Saxon 
 origin, from " hoppan to climb." The plant culti- 
 vated for brewing purposes is identical with the wild 
 species. It is remarkable for bearing two sorts of 
 flowers, the male growing in clusters not unlike a 
 
106 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 currant, and the female a cone or catkin of membra- 
 naceous scales, from which the beer hop is obtained. 
 In the reign of Henry VIII. there were regulations to 
 prevent brewers putting hops into beer, as it was 
 thought unwholesome ; and in the reign of Henry IV. 
 it was petitioned against as " a wicked weed/' not 
 from teetotal principles, but on the supposition that it 
 spoilt the beer. 
 
 In " Baker's Chronicles " the following distich is 
 written : 
 
 " Turkies, carps, hoppes, piccarell, and beere, 
 Came into Englande all in one yeare." 
 
 This refers to beer brewed with hops, for with malt it 
 was brewed before 1524. 
 
 Other plants have the peculiar bitter flavour besides 
 hops, but none can be successfully used where the hop 
 is obtainable. Thus Heath, the Bog-bean, a gentian, 
 Ground Ivy, and others have all been tried, but have 
 in every case proved of inferior quality. A Kentish 
 hop-garden, in point of beauty, is far above the vine- 
 yard ; indeed there are few more picturesque bits of 
 landscape than a hop-garden, with all the wealth and 
 luxuriant growth of the hop-vines. 
 
 UETICA. 
 
 The common Sting Nettles, too well known to need 
 further description. 
 
 PARIETAKIA. 
 
 Stamens and pistils in the same flower ; perianth 
 four-cleft ; stamens 4 ; fruit one-seeded. 
 
 1. P. Officinalis. (Pellitory-of-the-wall.) Branched, 
 with hairy, narrow leaves, reddish stem, and axillary 
 clusters of inconspicuous flowers. Chalk cliffs. 
 
OF THE UNDKECLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 107 
 
 HUMULUS. 
 
 Stamens and pistils on different flowers ; perianth 
 of five leaves in barren flower, stamens 5 ; fertile 
 flower a catkin with curved scales, one-seeded and 2 
 styles. 
 
 1. H. Lupulus. (Hop.) One of our most beautiful 
 wild creepers, clinging to hedgerows, identical with the 
 cultivated hop of Kent. Undercliff ; common. 
 
 OEDER LXIIL ULMACE.E. Elm tribe. 
 
 ULMUS. 
 
 Perianth four to five-cleft; stamens 5; styles 2. 
 1. U. Sllberosa. (Cork-barked Elm.) Common in 
 hedgerows. 
 
 2. U. montana. (Wych Elm). Frequent. 
 3. U. glabra. (Smooth -leaved Wych Elm.) Un- 
 common. 
 
 OEDEE LXIY. AMENTACE^l. Catkin-bearing tribe. 
 SALIX. 
 
 Stamens and pistils on different plants; stamens 
 1 to 20 inserted on the scales. 
 
 S, alba. (Common White Willow.) By streams, 
 and several other varieties. 
 
 POPULUS. 
 
 Stamens 8 to 30 ; stigma 4 to 8 ; catkins jagged. 
 P. tremula. (Aspen.) Common. 
 
 BETULA. 
 
 Stamens 10 to 12; catkin three-flowered; fruit 
 flattened. 
 
 B, alba. (Common Birch.) Not uncommon. 
 
108 
 
 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ALNUS. 
 
 Stamens 4 ; fertile catkin two- flowered. 
 A, gllltinosa, (Common Alder.) Damp ground. 
 
 MYRICA. 
 
 Stamens 4 to 8 ; stigma 2 ; one-seeded. 
 M. gale. (Sweet Gale.) Uncommon. Rookley 
 Wilderness. 
 
 CORYLUS. 
 
 Flowers in long catkins ; stamens 8; stigma 2. 
 C. Avellana, (Hazel.) Hedgerows. 
 
 QUERCUS. 
 
 Stamens 5 to 10; stigma 3; fruit an acorn. 
 ft. Robur. (Oak.) Common. 
 
 FAGUS. 
 
 Stamens 5 to 15; stigma 3; three-cornered nuts. 
 F. sylvatica. (Beech.) Hill-sides. Not un- 
 common. 
 
 OEDEE LXY. ORCHIDACE.E. 
 
 Perianth (calyx and corolla) of .six segments in two 
 rows, mostly coloured; one, the lowest, usually differ- 
 ing in form from the rest, and often spurred; stamens 
 3, united with the style in a central column ; capsule 
 (rarely a berry) three-valved ; seeds numerous. 
 
 The Orchis may be considered as the type of the 
 natural order Orchidese, or Orchidaceas. This order is 
 very large, comprising many of the most wonderful, 
 grotesque, and beautiful and fragrant plants in the 
 world. In the structure of their flowers they have, in 
 many instances, a striking resemblance to the heads or 
 bodies or general shape of insects, birds, and other 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 109 
 
 animals. About 3000 species have been described. They 
 are found in all parts of the world except the very coldest 
 and the most arid regions, but are most numerous in 
 the humid forests of the torrid zone, particularly in 
 America. There the far larger portion of the order 
 are epiphytes, adhering by means of long twisting 
 fleshy roots to the branches of trees and to the sides 
 of rocks and boulders ; but deriving only mechanical 
 support from the objects to which they attach them- 
 selves, and drawing their nourishment from atmospheric 
 gases. Not more than thirty -eight species of orchi- 
 dacese are mentioned in the British Flora, and 
 eighteen or nineteen of these are found in the Isle of 
 Wight. They are amongst the greatest ornaments of 
 our downs and pastures; some of them, such as the 
 Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchis), Ophrys muscifera (Fly 
 Orchis), Ophrys aranifera (Spider. Orchis), curiously 
 resembling the insects after which they are named. 
 None of the genus are of any importance in medicine. 
 Galep is obtained from the root tubercles of some 
 species, especially from the Orchis mascida ; and the 
 delicate flavouring perfume vanilla is the product of 
 an orchid growing in Mexico and Brazil. The Angrae- 
 cum fragrans, an orchid growing in India, is much 
 prized for the delightful fragrance of its leaves, re- 
 sembling that of the Tonka-bean. 
 
 ORCHIS. 
 
 1. 0. Morio, (Green -winged Meadow Orchis.) 
 Spike lax, lateral sepals obtuse ; spur shorter than 
 germen ; outer sepals forming a sort of helmet over 
 flower ; lip purple, pale in the middle, with purple spots. 
 Meadows and pastures abundant. May and June. 
 
110 
 
 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 2. 0. mascula, (Early Purple Orchis.) Leaves 
 spotted, spike lax; lateral sepals acute, reflexed up- 
 wards; spur obtuse, as long as germen; flowers pinkish 
 purple, rarely pure white. Abundant in moist woods 
 and damp places. Rew copses, Appuldurcombe ; Land- 
 slip. May and June. 
 
 3. 0. UStlllata. (Dwarf dark-winged Orchis.) 
 Spike dense; segments of lip deep, linear, lower one 
 without a point in notch ; stem 4 to 5 inches high ; 
 lip white, spotted; rest of flower dark purple. On 
 dry hilly downs. St. Boniface and Rew downs ; Rifle 
 Valley. May and June. 
 
 4. 0. maculata. (Spotted Palmate Orchis.) Lip 
 deeply three-lobed, flat ; leaves spotted ; stem solid ; 
 bracts shorter than ovary ; colour varying from rosy 
 purple to nearly pure white ; flower spikes often 
 7 inches long. Dry heaths, woods, and in moist or 
 boggy places abundant. On a dry soil the flowers are 
 much smaller. 
 
 5. 0. latifolia. (Marsh Palmate Orchis.) Lip in- 
 distinctly three-lobed; its sides reflexed; stem hollow; 
 bracts longer than ovary; leaves closely sheathing, 
 sometimes very large, plain, or more rarely spotted 
 with brown; flowers various shades of rose-red, crim- 
 son, or purple, rarely white. Common in low moist or 
 boggy places. The Wilderness ; Landslip ; Sandown 
 Marshes. June and July. 
 
 6. 0. pyramidalis. (Pyramidal Orchis.) Spike 
 dense, sepals spread; lip with 3 equal lobes; spur 
 longer than germen ; leaves very acuminate (taper) ; 
 flowers of a delicate rose-purple, spirally arranged in 
 a close ovate spike. Generally abundant on the grassy 
 slopes of the Ventnor downs. June and July. 
 
GYMNADENIA CONOPSEA (Pill.) 
 
 L Reeve &. C London. 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. Ill 
 
 7. 0. COnopsea. (Fragrant Gymnadenia.) Spike 
 dense ; flowers somewhat paler than 0. pyramidalis ; 
 stem furrowed, and purplish above ; lip three-lobed, 
 not spotted; spur twice as long as the germen. The 
 delicate fragrance of this beautiful flower will at once 
 distinguish it. On dry hilly pastures. Rifle Valley, 
 Ventnor. June and July. 
 
 HABENARIA. 
 
 1. H. viridis. (Frog Orchis.) Flowers green; 
 spur short; lip linear, bifid, greenish brown. In 
 damp pastures ; very rare with us. June and July. 
 
 2. H. chlorantha. (Great Butterfly Orchis.) 
 Lip lanceolate, entire, obtuse ; spur twice as long as 
 the germen. Stem 10 15 inches high; radical leaves 
 mostly 2, shorter than stem; obovate in shape; sepals 
 creamy- white ; very fragrant, especially in the evening. 
 In thickets and on grassy slopes. Rew copses, Rew 
 downs. May and June. 
 
 3. H. bifolia. (Lesser Butterfly Orchis.) Radical 
 leaves usually 2; oblong-obovate, and attenuate at 
 base ; spur very slender ; flowers greener than H. 
 chlorantha. On open heathy places; not common. 
 June and July. 
 
 OPHRYS. Insect Orchis. 
 
 The flowers of all these species are particularly 
 beautiful and curious, and more or less aptly resemble 
 certain insects. 
 
 1. 0. apifera. (Bee Orchis.) Petals downy, 
 linear ; sepals pink inside ; lip tumid ; four-lobed, not 
 longer than sepal, with an intermediate, acute, re- 
 flexed appendage in notch ; anther elongated with a 
 hooked point ; flowers large, outer sepals purplish or 
 
112 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 greenish ; lip velvety or silky, rich brown, variegated 
 with yellow. On chalky downs ; dry meadows ; very 
 frequent. The Rifle Valley, Ventnor ; Rew and Week 
 downs. June and July. 
 
 2. 0. aranifera. (Spider Orchis.) Petals gla- 
 brous, linear ; sepals yellowish-green inside ; lip tumid, 
 four-lobed, without an appendage; lip snuff-colour. On 
 chalky pastures; very rare now with us. April and May. 
 
 3. 0, HlUSCifera. (Fly Orchis.) Petals filiform, 
 slender like a thread ; sepals yellowish-green ; lip 
 oblong, three-lobed, middle lobe bifid. The whole 
 flower bears a strong resemblance to a fly, with a spot 
 of bluish-white on its wing. Slender lateral inner 
 sepals resembling the antennae of an insect. Chalky 
 pastures ; woods and grassy banks, sometimes rather 
 plentiful ; Rew copses. May. 
 
 SPIRANTHES. 
 
 S, autlimnalis. (Fragrant Lady's Tresses.) Radical 
 leaves in a radical rosette; flower-spike twisted; lip 
 oblong ; flowers greenish white, fragrant. Very plenti- 
 ful in the Landslip. August to September. 
 
 LISTERA. 
 
 L. OVata, (Tway-blade.) Stem tall, hairy above, 
 with only 2 ovate-elliptical opposite leaves ; stem some- 
 times 20 inches high ; flowers small, green, in a loose 
 spike ; the tip paler. Very common in moist woods ; 
 Landslip ; Rew copses ; Appuldurcombe ; Luccombe. 
 May to July. 
 
 NEOTTIA. 
 
 N. nidus avis. (Bird's Nest.) Stem leafless, with 
 brown scales; lip linear, oblong, with 2 spreading 
 lobes; flowers of a dingy brown. Amongst dead leaves 
 
EPIPACT IS PALU S TR I S (PH3.) 
 LRee ve 8. C London 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 113 
 
 in woods and shady places ; not common. Appuldur- 
 combe; Cook's Castle; Rew copses. May and June. 
 
 EPIPACTIS. 
 
 1 . E. latifolia, (Broad-leaved Helleborine. ) Leaves 
 ovate : bracts mostly longer than flowers ; lower lobe 
 of lip acute, shorter than ovate sepals; upper lip broadly 
 ovate ; flowers greenish-purple, nodding in an upright 
 spike ; not common. In groves and moist places. 
 Landslip; Luccombe. 
 
 2. E. palustris. (Marsh Helleborine.) Leaves 
 ovate ; bracts mostly longer than flowers ; lower lobe of 
 lip acute, shorter than ovate sepals ; flowers slightly 
 drooping ; outer sepals purplish-green, inner ones and 
 lip white, with rose-coloured streaks at base ; frequent. 
 In boggy meadows and wet banks of slipped clay on 
 the coast. Landslip, on sloping parts near the beach. 
 June to August. 
 
 ORDER LXVL IBIDACEJE. 
 
 Limb of the perianth six-cleft or six-partite ; 
 stamens 3, inserted into the base of the outer seg- 
 ments ; anthers fixed by their base, opening outwards ; 
 ovary three-celled, many-seeded ; style 1 ; stigmas 3, 
 or 1 with 3 divisions ; seeds round, hard ; leaves equi- 
 tant. Saffron is the principal economical product of 
 this class. 
 
 IRIS. 
 
 1. I. pseud-acorus. (Yellow or Water Flag.) 
 Perianth six-cleft ; stigmas 3 ; stem round ; flowers 
 yellow ; leaves erect, pale green, with a glaucous cast. 
 In shallow pools, ditches, wet meadows, and low, 
 marshy places, abundantly. May to August. 
 
 2. I. fcetidissima. (Stinking Iris.) Stem angled; 
 
 i 
 v 
 
114 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 flowers smaller than the last, of a pale purple. In 
 autumn and winter this plant is a conspicuous ornament 
 of our woods and hedgerows. From the contrast of its 
 dark evergreen leaves with the brilliant orange seeds, 
 which remain for some time attached to the widely- 
 spreading valves of the capsules. Plentiful all along 
 theUndercliff,at Bonchurch, St. Lawrence, Steephill, &c. 
 
 ORDER LXVIL AMARYLLIDACEJE. 
 
 Limb of the perianth coloured, six-partite or six- 
 cleft ; stamens 6 ; anthers opening inwards ; ovary 
 inferior (situated below the corolla or calyx), three- 
 celled ; style 1 ; stigma three-lobed ; fruit capsular ; 
 leaves fleshy, indistinctly nerved, all radical ; roots 
 bulbous. 
 
 GALANTHUS. Snowdrop. 
 
 Leaves glaucous, keeled ; flowers white, solitary, 
 drooping ; seed with a whitish skin. 
 
 G. Nivalis. (Snowdrop.) On banks, in thickets 
 and hedges in close lanes. February, March. About 
 Brading ; in a field close to Rew Farm; wood at Wroxall. 
 
 NARCISSUS. 
 
 Leaves flat; stem one-flowered; nectary campanulate, 
 erect, crisped at the margin ; obtusely six-cleft. 
 N, pseudo-Narcissus. (Daffodil.) In moist woods, 
 
 copses and meadows, abundant. On the mound on 
 which Godshill Church stands ; in a small wood to the 
 left of Redhill Lane, Wroxall; plentiful also at Brading. 
 March and April. 
 
 ORDER LXVIIL LILIACEJE. 
 Stamens 6, inserted into the receptacle or on the 
 
OP THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 115 
 
 perianth ; anthers bursting inwards ; ovary superior, 
 three-celled ; style 1 ; stigmas 3 or 1 ; fruit dry ; cap- 
 sular. 
 
 The Liliacse are almost without exception a bulbous 
 family of plants of infinite variety and great beauty. 
 Many of the finest have been introduced from Japan, 
 and several are not uncommon in the Swiss Alps. The 
 wild tulip and Star of Bethlehem are about the only 
 representatives of the order in the Island, and both of 
 very rare occurrence. With regard to the tulip, it has 
 been noticed that the leaves only come up in some 
 years, the yellow flower being hardly ever seen. It is 
 in the neighbourhood of Brading, in dry pastures, that 
 the tulip must be sought after. 
 
 TULIPA. 
 
 T. sylvestris. (Yellow Wild Tulip.) Leaves 
 linear-lanceolate ; flowers yellow, sub-erect, segment 
 of perianth elliptical ; lanceolate, bearded. In clay or 
 limestone meadows ; very rare. 
 
 ORNITHOGALUM. 
 
 0. Uiubellatum. (Star of Bethlehem.) Flowers 
 erect, corymbose ; peduncles longer than bracteas ; 
 whole plant quite smooth and glabrous ; bulbs ovate ; 
 leaves radical, very weak, soon turning yellow at tips ; 
 flowers large, milk-white within, with a stripe of pale 
 green on the back. In meadows and thickets, rare. 
 April to June. 
 
 ALL1UM. 
 
 1. A. vineale. (Crow Garlic.) Stem leafy below ; 
 leaves cylindrical slightly, channelled above; umbel 
 globose, bearing numerous bulbs arising from a 
 leaved spatha; flowers pure white. In meadows a 
 
 I 2 
 
116 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 pastures, borders and fields; rarely flowering; not 
 common ; Steephill occasionally. 
 
 2. A. ursimim. (Broad-leaved Garlic.) [Ransoms 
 Gipsy Onion.] Leaves 2, rarely 3, ovate, lanceolate ; 
 stem bluntly triangular ; umbel bursting from a 
 white membranous spathe of 2 ovate, acute, many- 
 ribbed deciduous leaves ; flowers numerous, milk 
 white. Notwithstanding the nauseous odour of the 
 above plant, which is so strong as to scent the air 
 where it grows, bees are attracted by the honied 
 fluid at the base of the petals, and which is most likely 
 free from the repulsive flavour of the herb itself. 
 
 SCILLA. 
 
 S. autumnalis. (Autumnal Squill.) Leaves narrow, 
 linear, raceme lax; flowers few, pale blue, lilac, or 
 whitish, scentless ; seeds large, jet black, wrinkled. On 
 dry sandy or gravelly pasture-ground, and on grassy 
 spots amongst rocks. Not very common ; plentiful on 
 the sandy turf of St. Helen's spit. July to September. 
 
 HYACINTH US. 
 H. nutans, or non-scriptus. (Wild Hyacinth or 
 
 Bluebell.) Leaves long, channelled; flowers blue, rarely 
 white, drooping. In groves and copses ; abundant. 
 April to May. 
 
 ORDEK LXIX.-DIOSCOREACEJE. Tarn tribe. 
 
 TAMUS. 
 
 T. COmmimis. (Black Bryony, Our Lady's Seal.) 
 A smooth glabrous vine, very common with us, and 
 truly one of the most elegant of British plants, 
 neglected because so common, but well worthy of 
 general cultivation for the beauty of its bright green 
 
S C I LL.A. AUT U M NAL I S (P. 116) 
 L Reeve &.C? London 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 117 
 
 highly-varnished leaves, and graceful racemes of starry 
 flowers, and clusters of pellucid scarlet berries in 
 autumn. Stem annual, purplish below, solid, slightly 
 angular and twisted, climbing over hedges and bushes 
 often to a great length ; leaves alternate, very various 
 in size and form, but all modifications of heart-shape ; 
 flowers small, yellowish-green ; berries in dense clus- 
 ters, bright scarlet. May to July. 
 
 ORDER LXX. SIMILACE^E. Asparagus tribe. 
 ASPARAGUS. 
 
 1. A. officinalis, (Common Asparagus. [Vulg. 
 Speerage, Sparrowgrass.]) Stem herbaceous, much- 
 branched, 2 feet high, leaves in small bundles of 5 12, 
 weak and flexible; flowers drooping, yellowish- green, 
 in pairs at the base or about the middle of each pedicel ; 
 very rare. On sandy or stony places by the sea-shore ; 
 Freshwater ; sparingly on the shingly beach between 
 Ryde and Binstead. 
 
 RUSCUS. 
 
 2. R. aculeatus. (Butcher's Broom, Knee Holly, 
 Shepherd's Myrtle.) Perianth spreading, 6 petals ; 
 stem branched, rigid ; leaves ovate, acuminate, ever- 
 green, with small white flower in centre of the upper 
 surface; frequent. Ashey Down; Alverston Lynch. 
 Flowers in spring and autumn. 
 
 ORDER LXXL JUNCACEJE. 
 
 Calyx and Corolla 6 pieces ; stamens 6, occasionally 
 only 3 ; stigmas 3 ; style 1 . 
 
 NARTHECIUM. 
 
 1. N. OSSifragUHl, (Lancashire Bog Asphodel.) 
 Leaves rigid, ribbed, acute ; flowers in a terminal erect 
 
118 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 cluster 2 3 inches in length, bright yellow, with scarlet 
 anthers; stamens erect, shorter than perianth, filaments 
 thickly studded with long spreading bright yellow 
 hairs. In spongy or peaty bogs, wet moors, and 
 heaths ; frequent. July and August. Munsley Moors, 
 near Godshill ; Munsley peat-bed ; Alverston Lynch ; 
 bogs in the Wilderness ; Lake Common. 
 
 ORDER LXXIL ALISMACE^l. Water Plantain tribe. 
 ALISMA. 
 
 A. ranunculoides. (Water Plantain.) Leaves 
 all radical, linear- lanceolate; scape with simple 
 branches ; flowers solitary ; petals cordate, rotundate, 
 pellucidly veined, and yellow at base, white, some- 
 times with a purplish blush. Ditches and shallow 
 pools ; not common. May to September. Sandown 
 Level; Alverstone; Godshill; Freshwater. 
 
 BUTOMUS. 
 
 B. umbellatus. (Flowering Eush, Water Gladiole.) 
 Leaves linear-subulate ; whole plant glabrous ; stem 
 erect, 2 4 feet high, tapering ; nearly as thick as the 
 little finger at bottom ; flowers an inch across, expand- 
 ing in long succession, peach-blossom colour, rosy-red 
 at the back; stamens 9, germens 6, rose-coloured; 
 very rare in this island. In ponds and ditches. 
 Freshwater. June to August. 
 
 TRIGLOCHIN. 
 
 1. T. maritimum. (Sea-side Arrow-grass.) Leaves 
 radical, linear, fleshy; flowers green in lax simple spike ; 
 stamens 6, stigmas 3 6, sessile. Salt marshes along 
 the Yar. May to September. 
 
 2. T. palustre. (Marsh Arrow-grass.) Similar 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 119 
 
 but smaller; flower greenish, purple. Bembridge; 
 Sandown Level. 
 
 ORDER LXXIIL 
 
 An extensive genus of perennial herbaceous plants. 
 Most are stemless, and of singular appearance ; the 
 roots of all are fleshy, hot, and acrid, yet in many 
 instances are eatable. The common species, Arum 
 maculatum, is a native of Great Britain ; about thirty 
 species have been introduced from North America, 
 China, Japan, Ceylon, the South of Europe, the Levant, 
 and the West Indies. About one-third are ornamental 
 plants, the others being cultivated in their native 
 country for food or medicine. The British species Arum 
 maculatum grows wild in woods and shady banks in 
 most parts of Great Britain. It is about a foot in 
 height, with broad arrow-shaped leaves, spotted with 
 purple or stained with white. The root is a whitish 
 tuber, and is used for food and medicine. They are 
 gathered in the spring, when they rapidly dry, shrink, 
 lose all their acridity, and become farinaceous and fit 
 for boiling or baking. In the Isle of Portland, where 
 the plant is very common, the inhabitants manufacture 
 them into a kind of British arrowroot, which is sent to 
 London under the name of Portland sago. The French 
 concoct a cosmetic from the dried roots, which they call 
 Cypress powder. The roots, though assigned a place in 
 the Materia Medica, are rarely used in regular medical 
 practice. A provincial name for the plant is lords and 
 ladies. The cocoa-root species, Arum esculentum, is 
 extensively cultivated in Jamaica in the same manner 
 as the potato, and its root resembles the Indian yam, 
 but lasts for several years. 
 
120 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 ARUM. 
 
 A. maculatum. (Common Wake Robin, or Cuckoo- 
 pint; Lords and Ladies.) Leaves radical, large, shining 1 , 
 spotted with black ; perianth none ; flowers numerous, 
 collected upon a spadix, which is enclosed in a one- 
 leaved spatha ; stamens indefinite. The extremity of 
 the spadix is purplish ; specimens occur with us occa- 
 sionally in which the leaves are veined with a greenish 
 white, as in the Arum italicum. Very common in woods 
 and thickets, also hedge banks. Steephill; Bonchurch. 
 
 ORDER LXXIV. TYPHACEJE. Eeed Mace tribe. 
 
 Flowers monoecious, numerous, and closely arranged 
 upon a spadix without a spatha ; perianth of 3 or 
 more mere scales, or else wanting and replaced by 
 hairs; barren flowers, stamens 1 6, anthers erect; 
 fertile flowers, ovary solitary, superior, one-celled, con- 
 taining 1 solitary pendulous ovule ; style short ; stigma 
 simple, unilateral. 
 
 TYPHA. 
 
 1. T. latifolia. (Great Reed-mace, or Cat's Tail.) 
 Leaves very long, nearly an inch broad ; stem 3 6 feet 
 high ; sterile and fertile spikes continuous ; both cylin- 
 drical. Borders of ponds and lakes. July and August. 
 
 2. T. angustifolia. (Lesser Reed-mace.) Leaves 
 linear, grooved ; sterile and fertile spikes a little 
 distant from each other, both cylindrical. Alverstone; 
 Luccombe, on the slipped land below the cliffs. 
 
 SPARGANIUM. 
 
 1. S. ramosum. (Bur-reed.) Spadix spherical; 
 barren flowers, stamens 3, anthers ovate, yellow : 
 fertile flowers 3 or 4 dense globular heads below 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 121 
 
 the barren ones, alternate and distinct; leaves trian- 
 gular at base, with concave sides ; common flower ; 
 stalk branched. Sandown Level ; in a pond at St. 
 Helen's Spit. June to September. 
 
 2. S. simplex. (Unbranched Bur-reed.) Leaves 
 triangular at base, sides flat ; common ; flower-stalk 
 simple, stigma linear, much smaller than last ; flower- 
 stalk bearing only a single head of fertile flowers ; 
 flowers pale yellow. Sandown Marshes ; St. Helen's ; 
 Alverstone by Ash. July to October. 
 
 3. S. natans. (Floating Bur-reed.) Stem simple ; 
 leaves floating, flat, concave at base, beautifully reticu- 
 lated, very long and narrow ; heads of barren flowers 
 mostly solitary ; heads of fertile flowers generally 2, 
 the upper one sessile, the lower one on a short peduncle, 
 each in the axil of an erect short leaf. Stream at 
 Alverstone Mill ; rivers Medina and Yar. 
 
 OEDEE LXXV. LEMNACEJE. 
 
 Small floating plants with fibrous roots which 
 propagate by offsets on the leaves. 
 
 LEMNA. 
 
 1. L. trisulca. (Ivy -leaved Duckweed.) Fronds 
 thin, pellucid, elliptic, lanceolate; caudate (tailed, 
 having a long slender appendage) at one end, at the 
 other serrated ; roots solitary. Sandown Marshes ; 
 abundantly in ponds and ditches. June and July. 
 
 2. L. polyrhiza. (Greater Duckweed.) Fronds 
 broadly obovate ; roots many-clustered. In clear still 
 water ; Yarbridge and Yaverland. Has not been seen 
 to flower in Britain. 
 
 3. L. minor. (Lesser Duckweed.) Koot solitary ; 
 fronds obovate. Stagnant water,ponds, and ditches. July. 
 
122 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 4. L. gibba. (Gibbous Duckweed.) Fronds obo- 
 vate, tumid below; root solitary; far rarer than the 
 foregoing. Ponds and ditches. YaffordFarm, in a pond. 
 
 ORDER LXXVL NAIADACE^E. 
 
 Flowers perfect, and all sessile, or imperfect and 
 monoecious or dioecious ; perianth single, of four-clawed 
 scales, or wanting ; ovaries solitary or several ; one- 
 celled ; style simple, or more or less deeply two or 
 three-cleft. 
 
 The following are submerged or floating aquatic 
 plants, with very cellular leaves and stems ; flowers 
 inconspicuous, sometimes spiked : 
 POTAMOGETON. 
 
 1. P. natans, (Broad-leaved Pond-weed.) Lower 
 leaves linear, or wanting ; upper elliptical, coriaceous 
 floating on long stalks, many-nerved, distinctly cellular ; 
 fruit large, keeled at the back ; the submerged leaves 
 are often wholly wanting, especially when the plant 
 grows in shallow water. In ponds, ditches, and slow 
 streams ; frequent. June and July. 
 
 2. P. oblongUS. (Oblong-leaved Pond- weed.) 
 Leaves all stalked, upper ones floating, oblong, ellip- 
 tical, lower ones linear, lanceolate ; spike slender, 
 cylindrical, densely flowered upon a long peduncle. 
 Wet ditches, bogs, marshy heaths ; common. Black- 
 pan and Lake Commons. July. 
 
 3. P. lucens. (Shining Pond- weed.) Leaves 
 stalked, elliptic-lanceolate, pellucid ; stipules two- 
 winged ; spike cylindrical, many-flowered ; upper leaves 
 smaller than lower ones. Marsh-ditches, San down. 
 June and July. 
 
 4. P. crispus, (Curled Pond-weed.) Stem com- 
 
OF THE UNDEKCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 123 
 
 pressed ; leaves lanceolate, waved, serrated, three- 
 nerved, sessile; fruit beaked. Slow streams; ditches. 
 Bembridge ; Sandown. Leaves alternate, all linear, 
 submersed. 
 
 5. P. pusillus. (Small Pond-weed.) Leaves 
 narrow, linear, three or five-nerved, with obscure con- 
 necting veins ; peduncles two or three times longer 
 than spike; stem slightly compressed. Ditches and 
 stagnant water Smallest of the species whole plant 
 submerged, except the small flower-spike. Brading ; 
 St. Helen's. July. 
 
 6. P. pectinatus. (Fennel-leaved Pond-weed.) 
 Koot perennial, originating from a tuberous lump, then 
 creeping horizontally, slender, much branched ; stem 
 floating, copiously branched, the branches forked ; 
 leaves numerous, bright green, alternate, finely linear ; 
 spikes solitary, terminal on simple peduncles ; flowers 
 large, sessile, in pairs opposite to each other, or 3 
 together ; anthers large, or 2 white lobes diverging 
 below, bursting at the back. 
 
 7. P. densus. (Close Opposite-leaved Pond 
 weed.) Leaves crowded all opposite ; spikes shortly- 
 stalked, about four-flowered. In ditches and ponds. 
 June and July. Sandown ; Brading. 
 
 EUPPIA. 
 
 Flowers perfect, 2 on a spike arising from the 
 sheathing bases of the leaves ; perianth 0, stamens 4 ; 
 style and stigma undivided. 
 
 R. maritima, (Tassel Pond- weed.) Ditches and 
 pools of salt-water ; very common. July to August. 
 
 ZA^NICHELLIA. 
 
 Flowers monoscious ; barren flowers, perianth 0, 
 
124 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 stamen 1, anthers two or four-celled ; fertile flowers, 
 perianth single of 1 leaf; style undivided, stigma peltate. 
 
 Z. palustris. (Horned Pond-weed.) Stigmas 
 rounded or broadly cordate, irregular in size and 
 shape, but never lanceolate, attached to the style near 
 their circumference ; transparent, colourless, like thin 
 laminao of ice. Freshwater, in ditches ; Brading 
 Marshes. July. 
 
 ZOSTERA. 
 
 1. Z. marina. (Grass- wrack.) Leaves linear, 
 three or seven-nerved ; peduncle of spatha thicker 
 than spadix ; anthers ovate ; style bifid. Very com- 
 mon in shallow creeks of the sea. 
 
 2. Z. nana. (Dwarf Grass-wrack.) Leaves one- 
 nerved ; spadix short, few-flowered, with marginal 
 appendages. Similar places with the last. 
 
 ACOTYLEDONOUS ' OR CELLULAR PLANTS. 
 
 In this class there are no real flowers, nothing that 
 can be considered as stamen and pistil. This class 
 corresponds with the Cryptogamia in the Linnaean 
 system. 
 
 ORDER LXXVIL EQUISETACE.E. 
 
 Fructification terminal in spikes or catkins, con- 
 sisting of scales, on the under-side of which are from 
 four to seven involucres, which open longitudinally, 
 and contain numerous globose bodies, enfolded by four 
 filaments, clavate at their extremities. 
 
 The Equisetacese form a link between the ferns and 
 grasses belonging to the most highly organized branch 
 of Cryptogams. If these were rare exotics they 
 
 1 That is, without a Cotyledon, i.e. the portion of a seed which in 
 germination changes into two leaves. 
 
OF THE UNDEECLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 125 
 
 would be considered of great beauty ; being common 
 weeds, they are overlooked. The height of different 
 species varies from two inches to two yards ; the stem 
 and branches are leafless and regularly articulated. 
 Their reproductive organs are in terminal spikes or 
 heads, composed of several sided scales, producing on 
 their under surface from four to seven involucres con- 
 taining seed. The seeds are remarkable for a hygro- 
 metrical movement. Placed under a microscope, it 
 will be seen that each seed has hair-like appendages, 
 which give a certain movement to the seed which is 
 uncanny to behold. There are a number of species 
 indigenous in England. 
 
 EQUISETUM. 
 
 Fertile stems unbranched, succulent, appearing 
 before the sterile ones, which have whorled branches. 
 
 1. E. Telmateia. (Great Water Horse Tail. 2 ) 
 Sterile stems with numerous striae (parallel longi- 
 tudinal lines) ; branches erect, simple ; fertile stems 
 short, without branches, clothed with loose sheaths, 
 having many two-ribbed teeth. Muddy lakes, moist 
 boggy woods. Apse Heath; Parsonage Lynch, New- 
 church; Lake Farm. April. 
 
 2. E. arvense. (Corn Horse Tail.) Barren stem, 
 with 1 1 5 striae ; branches spreading, teeth of 
 sheaths blunt, pale brown, inflated, loosely clothing 
 the stem. Abundant on clay soil, in corn-fields and on 
 the landslips. March and April. 
 
 3. E, sylvaticum. (Wood Horse Tail.) Stems 
 with many whorls of compound branches ; sheaths lax, 
 with about 6 12 long obtuse teeth. Very uncommon 
 
 2 So named from " equus," a horse, and " seta," a hair or bristle. 
 
126 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 in the Island. Apse Withy Bed ; Parsonage Lynch, 
 Newchurch. 
 
 4. E. limosum. (Smooth Horse Tail.) Stems 
 smooth, striated, stria) 16 18; teeth of the sheaf 
 short, rigid, distinct, branches nearly erect, simple- 
 whorled ; catkin terminal on the stem. In shallow or 
 stagnant water ; frequent. Sandown Level ; Cothey- 
 bottom Copse. June and July. 
 
 5. E. palustre. (Marsh Horse Tail.) Stem with 
 4 10 deep furrows; sheaths loose; teeth wedge- 
 shaped, acute, with membranous tips ; branches simple- 
 whorled, gradually shorter upwards. Less frequent 
 than the last. Boggy places ; Shanklin Chine ; Alver- 
 stone. June and July. 
 
 OEDEE LXXYIIL POLYPODIACE^E. 
 
 The Isle of Wight is not a great fern-hunting loca- 
 lity, such as Devonshire, Derbyshire, or Yorkshire, 
 but we have still a few good species left. All botan- 
 ists are very earnestly begged to exercise great care 
 in gathering specimens. Osmunda regalis has become 
 very rare in marshes where, fifteen years ago, it was 
 common. The Moonwort is also'becoming scarce, and 
 there is danger of both species being exterminated, as 
 the Asplenium marinum has already been at Niton. 
 Asplenium adiantum nigrum is not uncommon along 
 the Underdid, but it is not an easy fern to transplant, 
 therefore it might as well be left alone. Asplenium 
 trichomanes was common in the Bonchurch Landslip, 
 but hardly a root can now be found. The Marsh Fern 
 (Lastrea thelypteris) is not uncommon at Rookley Wil- 
 derness, with several other species of Lastrea. The 
 .blechnum, a hard feru, grows in Godshill Woods, not 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 127 
 
 attaining anything like the size of the same fern in 
 the Lake District or in Yorkshire. The Adder's 
 Tongue is sometimes plentiful on the grassy slopes 
 above Luccombe Copses, but the sheep eat it off as 
 fast as it grows. The Hart's Tongue is the character- 
 istic fern of the Island, growing in great plenty and 
 of great size. All the common species abound by the 
 side of streams or in the woodlands. 
 
 CETERACH. 
 
 1 . C. officinarum. (Common Ceterach.) Fronds 
 pinnatifid (cut into oblong segments), covered beneath 
 with chaffy scales, segments obtuse, entire ; fronds all 
 fructiferous. Not common in the Island. On Brading 
 Church ; old wall at Bembridge ; Carisbrook Castle. 
 
 POLYPODIUM. 
 
 2. P. VTllgare. (Common Polypody.) Fronds 
 deeply pinnatifid; segments linear-lanceolate, obtuse, 
 upper ones smaller. Plentiful everywhere on shady 
 hedgerows and trunks of trees. 
 
 POLYSTICHUM. 
 
 3. P. Lonchitis. (Prickly Shield Fern.) Sori 
 (groups of seed-vessels) nearly circular. 
 
 4. P. lobatum. (Closely-leaved Prickly Shield 
 Fern.) Fronds narrow-lanceolate, bipinnate, attenu- 
 ated at base ;; stipes more or less chaffy ; fructification 
 confined to the upper half of the frond. This species 
 is closely allied to P. angulare, which last has broader 
 fronds and very chaffy stipes. 
 
 LASTREA. 
 
 1. L. Thelypteris. (Marsh Shield Fern.) Fronds 
 pinnate ; pinnae linear-lanceolate, pihnatifid, pale green ; 
 
128 WILD FLOWERS 
 
 segments ovate, acute, entire; sori marginal. In 
 boggy, marshy places ; not common. Alverstone ; 
 abundant on the Wilderness and Rookley. 
 
 2. L, Oreopteris, (Mountain Shield Fern.) 
 Fronds pinnate; pinnae lanceolate, pinnatified, gla- 
 brous ; sori marginal. Very rare. Apse Castle ; the 
 Wilderness. 
 
 3. L. Filix-mas, (Blunt Shield Fern.) Fronds 
 bipiunate ; sori near the central nerve ; stipes and 
 rachis chaffy. A beautiful though very common fern, 
 3 4 feet high, fronds growing in a circle. Shady 
 woods ; frequent. 
 
 4. L. spimilosa, (Prickly-toothed Shield Fern.) 
 Fronds linear-lanceolate, bipinnate ; segments serrate ; 
 indusium persistent ; stipes with broad, roundish 
 scales. In damp hedge-bottoms. Frequent. Wi'- 
 derriess ; Apse Castle. 
 
 5. L. dilatata, (Broad Shield Fern.) Fronds 
 ovate-lanceolate bipinnate ; segments serrate ; indu- 
 sium with marginal stalked glands ; stipes with long 
 pointed scales, with a dark centre and diaphanous 
 margin. In similar places with the last. Very plenti- 
 ful in the Grodshill Woods at the back of the Griffin 
 Inn; America Woods. 
 
 ASPLENIUM. 
 
 Sori oblong or linear. 
 
 1. A. Adiantum nigrum, (Black Maiden-hair 
 Spleenwort.) Fronds triangular-lanceolate, bipinnate; 
 pinnules cuneate (wedge-shaped), deeply serrated or 
 toothed. Moist hedgerows, frequent. Godshill ; Redhill 
 Lane. 
 
 A. TrichomaneS. (Common Wall Spleenwort.) 
 
OF THE UNDERCLIFP AND ITS VICINITY. 129 
 
 Fronds linear-pinnate, their stalk black ; pinnae round- 
 ish oblong, crenate ; stipes and rachis black. Some- 
 what rare. Newchurch ; Alver stone. 
 
 A. marinum. (Sea Spleenwort.) Fronds pinnate ; 
 pinnae oblong-obtuse, serrate, the superior base 
 rounded, the inferior one truncated. Sparingly on the 
 rocks at Niton. 
 
 A, Ruta muraria. (Rue-leaved Spleenwort. Wall 
 Rue.) Fronds bipinnate below ; pinnaa cuneate, deeply 
 serrated or toothed. Walls and fissures of rocks. Not 
 common. Brading and Arreton Churches. 
 
 ATHYRIUM. 
 
 Sori oblong, reniform; indusium opening towards 
 central nerve or midrib ; margin free. 
 
 A. Filix foemina. (Common Lady Fern.) Fronds 
 broadly-lanceolate bipinnate ; pinnules linear-oblong, 
 acute, often drooping, inciso-serrate ; sori oblong, at 
 length arched at base; bright green fronds. Moist 
 rocks and wet boggy places, frequent. One of the 
 most beautiful of our native ferns. Blackpan Com- 
 mon ; Wilderness ; Shanklin Chine. 
 
 SCOLOPENDRIUM. 
 
 Sori linear, transverse, on lateral veins ; veins forked ; 
 fronds simple, oblong-ligulate, acute, heart-shaped at 
 the base ; stipes scaly. 
 
 S. Vlllgare. (Hart's Tongue.) In moist, shady 
 woods abundant. Very fine all through the Undercliff. 
 
 PTERIS. 
 
 Fronds tripartite ; branches bipinnate ; pinnates 
 linear-lanceolate, superior undivided, inferior pinna- 
 tifid ; segments oblong, obtuse ; sori continuous, 
 linear, marginal. 
 
 K 
 \ 
 
130 WILD FLOWERS OF THE UNDEBCLIFF AND ITS VICINITY. 
 
 P, aquilina. (Brake.) On heaths and commons 
 plentifully. 
 
 BLECHNUM. 
 
 Sori linear, longitudinal, parallel one on each side of 
 the rib ; Sterile fronds pectinate, piunatilid ; segments 
 lanceolate, rather obtuse, fertile fronds pinnate ; pinnas 
 linear acuminate. 
 
 B. boreale. (Hard Fern.) In damp woods ; Apse 
 Castle abundantly ; the Wilderness ; Godshill Moors. 
 
 ORDER LXXIX. OSMTJNDACEJE. 
 
 OSMUNDA. 
 
 0. regalis. (Common Osmund Koyal, King Fern.) 
 Fronds bipinnate ; pinnules oblong, nearly entire, the 
 lower base somewhat auricled. In swampy places 
 common. The Wilderness ; Sainiam Wood. 
 
 This is the largest and most striking of our ferns, 
 but it is of humble growth in the Isle of Wight, com- 
 pared with the dimensions it attains elsewhere, par- 
 ticularly in the west of Britain and in Ireland, where 
 it frequently grows to 10 12 feet high. 
 
 ORDER LXXX. OPHIOGLOSSACEJE. 
 
 BOTEYCHIUM. 
 
 1. B. Lunaria. (Common Moonwort.) Capsules 
 arranged on the margin of a contracted frond, sessile ; 
 involucre none ; one-celled ; two-valved ; compressed ; 
 fronds lunate, or subflabelliform crenate. June. On 
 dry, hilly pastures. Rare. The Landslip. 
 
 OPHIOGLOSSUM. 
 
 2. 0. Vlllgatum. (Adder's Tongue.) Capsules 
 one-celled; two-valved; involucre none ; spike cauline, 
 club-shaped ; frond ovate, obtuse. Moist meadows. 
 The Landslip ; Munwell. June. 
 
FLORAL CALENDAR: 
 
 SHOWING SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL TREASURES WHICH 
 ARE TO BE FOUND IN OQR WOODS AND HEDGES 
 AND WHEN AND WHERE TO SEEK FOR THEM. 
 
 JANUARY. 
 
 WHEN the winds whistle cold, and the sky is grey, and 
 the air chilly, when, maybe, even in our own favoured 
 isle, there is a suspicion of frost, with perhaps a slight 
 fall of snow, it would seem to many that we did but 
 jest to talk about a visit to the woods in January. 
 " No one ever finds anything in the woods in winter ! " 
 is a common saying ; to which we reply, " That is 
 simply because no one takes the trouble to search the 
 woods at that season of the year." And yet it is most 
 true that in " God's Garden," as we once heard an old 
 shepherd reverently call the home of wild flowers, 
 there is no interregnum, no dreary period, when, in 
 accordance with modern fashion, our flower-beds 
 remain brown and bare for months together, until 
 " bedding-out " time comes round. The woodlands 
 are very bright and gay even in November and 
 December. It is the fruit-harvest time of the woods, 
 and leaves and berries of every hue meet the eye. The 
 long graceful sprays of the wild rose toss their arms 
 aloft, as if proud of their coralline hips the crimson- 
 leaved bramble trails over the hedgerows ; the scarlc t 
 K 2 
 
132 FLORAL CALENDAR. 
 
 berries of the holly contrast with the dark shining 
 leaves. The rosy-pink capsules of the Spindle-tree, the 
 rich chocolate berries of the Ivy, the dark sword- 
 shaped leaves of the Iris foetidissima, with its capsules 
 of three twisted leathery valves, each bearing a row or 
 more of bright orange-scarlet polished seeds ; the 
 transparent red berries of the Honeysuckle contrasting 
 with the purplish black fruit of the Sloe, Privet, and 
 Elder, the clear white pearls of the Mistletoe. Let no 
 one say there is nothing to be found in the woods 
 during winter ! We have seen a winter bouquet culled 
 from the Rew copses, the Pelham Woods, or the Land- 
 slip, which was worthy to grace the table of any 
 drawing-room. And what of the mosses ? 800 species 
 of which have been discovered ! It is in the winter 
 and early spring that these tiny but most beautiful 
 forms of vegetable life are to be found in full perfec- 
 tion those yielding carpets that ' ' steal all noises from 
 the foot." In this month also may be found that ex- 
 quisite little fungus, the Peziza coccinea. This charm- 
 ing addition to a winter nosegay may be successfully 
 sought for in the Kew copses. It grows on pieces of 
 decayed wood, generally under- old hedges with a 
 northern aspect, and resembles a fairy-like coral cup, 
 peeping out, as it frequently does, from a bed of the 
 brightest green fern moss. Of flowers, strictly speak- 
 ing, there are still but few, although the daisy, " Com- 
 panion of the Sun," may always be found, and the 
 Winter Furze or Gorse brightens up the landscape in 
 many places. In many a foreign northern land this (to 
 us common) plant is cherished in greenhouses, and it 
 is related of the great Swedish botanist that the first 
 time he saw an English common bright with the 
 
FLORAL CALENDAR. 133 
 
 golden blossoms of the furze, he fell on his knees and 
 thanked God for a sight so beautiful, 
 
 FEBRUARY. 
 
 Foremost amongst the flowers of February is the 
 sweet-scented Butter-bur (Petasites fragrans), which, 
 although originally a native of South Italy, is now 
 quite naturalized in many parts of this Island. It 
 grows plentifully on the wet ground sloping towards 
 the sea between the old church at Bonchurch and 
 the entrance to the Landslip. The delicate perfume 
 of its early flowers make it a general favourite. Its 
 blossoms appear before the leaves, on thick stems, 
 and are of a pale flesh colour. The early blooming of 
 this plant induces Swedish farmers to" plant it near 
 their bee-hives. The Snowdrop (Fair Maid of Febru- 
 ary) may now be looked for on banks amongst 
 brushwood, and in groves and pastures, generally 
 near houses. Snowdrops grow plentifully about 
 Brading, and may also be found on the left-hand 
 side hedge-bank of a field behind the pond at Rew 
 Farm, near Ventnor. 
 
 MARCH. 
 
 "Daffodils 
 
 That come before the swallow dares, and take 
 The winds of March with beauty." 
 
 The name Daffodil seems to be a mere corruption of 
 Asphodel. Daffodils, with their pale green leaves and 
 large pale yellow flowers, are now in great profusion. 
 The grassy mount on which the church at Godshill 
 stands is literally clothed with them, and a small wood 
 
134 FLORAL CALENDAR. 
 
 to the left of Redhill Lane, Wroxall (popularly known 
 as the Daffodil Wood), is a sight worth going far to see 
 during this month. Luccombe Copse also abounds 
 with daffodils. The Daffodils in the Isle of Wight 
 bloom somewhat earlier than those in other parts of 
 England, and many basketsful are annually sent off to 
 the children's hospitals in London to gladden the 
 hearts of the little sufferers there. 
 
 Now also the Pile wort, or Lesser Celandine, peeps 
 out from every damp hedge-row, its " varnished golden 
 flowers," immortalized by Wordsworth, seeming lite- 
 rally to bask in the sun. The pale green leaves of the 
 Adoxa Moschatellina, with its strange little terminal 
 head of five green flowers, four lateral and one hori- 
 zontal, is found close by, and the earliest of the 
 OrchidaceaB, Orchis Mascula (Early Purple Orchis), 
 may often be gathered this month in sheltered 
 copses. The leaves of this plant, elegantly spotted 
 with purplish black, and its long spikes of rosy- 
 purple blossoms, are a great ornament to our woods 
 and pastures. It may generally be found in the 
 small copses opposite the Recreation Ground. Prim- 
 roses now become plentiful, and spangle over the 
 woodlands, and the Scented Violet (viola odorata), 
 varying in colour from claret, blue, dull red, to pink, 
 and white, perfumes the sunny grassy banks upon 
 which it loves to dwell. In the hedge-rows the snow- 
 white blossoms of the common Sloe, the well-known 
 Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa), begin to open on the 
 straggling leafless boughs, the leaves not appearing 
 until after the flowers have departed. 
 
FLORAL CALENDAR. 135 
 
 APRIL. 
 
 " Nature never did betray 
 The heart that loved her." 
 
 So says the poet Wordsworth, whose long life was 
 one long worship of Nature and of Nature's God. Let 
 us listen to the silent voices of the flowers of the fields, 
 it is very wise so to do. 
 
 " 'Tis wise to let the touch of Nature thrill 
 Through the full heart ; 'tis wise to take your fill 
 Of all she brings, and gently to give way 
 To what within your soul she seems to say." 
 
 In April a goodly array of wild flowers may be 
 found in the Undercliff and its vicinity. The dark 
 green shining arrow-shaped leaves of the Lords and 
 Ladies, or Wake Robin (Arum Maculatum), are now 
 starting up with the strangely- shaped flower called 
 a spadix. It is like a tall column with a sharp 
 point, which gradually opens and shows a singular 
 blossom. Once seen it is not soon forgotten. All 
 around the little waterfall opposite Steephill Castle 
 the arum grows in wild profusion. In the Rew and 
 Luccombe Copses, and in the beautiful Godshill 
 Woods, the delicate blossoms of the Wood Anemone 
 (" Pherbe au vent/' as the French still call it), now 
 carpet the ground. Lovely as it is, its flowers are 
 highly poisonous, and cattle will not eat of it. The 
 blossoms when bruised were formerly used for raising 
 blisters on the skin. One of the prettiest woodland 
 flowers, the Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is now in 
 full beauty in the Rew Copses. It has been called the 
 sensitive plant of Britain, and with good reason, for 
 
136 FLORAL CALENDAR. 
 
 not only do the leaves drop at the approach of rain, 
 or the evening dew, but it shrinks if roughly handled 
 whilst gathering. Although so sensitive it has a 
 hardy nature, and is plentiful in Norway, and even 
 in Lapland. The Wild Hyacinth, or Bluebell, is 
 also most luxuriant, in some places covering the 
 woods with an azure carpet. " The Daffodil Wood " 
 at Wroxall, the Landslip, and Luccombe Copse are 
 covered with this popular " wilding of Nature." 
 The golden blossoms of the Marsh Marigold (Caltha 
 Palustris) may be found in damp meadows or woods ; 
 they are the " Winking Mary Buds" of Shakespeare. 
 The Green-winged Meadow Orchis (Orchis Morio) 
 grows abundantly in the meadows around Cook's 
 Castle, and in a field at the side of the Home Farm 
 in Godshill Park. 
 
 MAY. 
 
 " Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, 
 Comes dancing from the east, and with her brings 
 The flowery May, who from her green lap throws " 
 
 Such a company of joyful flowers that we can do 
 little more than chronicle their names, and give the 
 principal stations where they may be found. 
 
 Orchis ustulata. (Dwarf Dark-winged Orchis.) 
 Plentifully on St. Boniface Downs. 
 
 Orchis latifolia. (Marsh Palmate Orchis.) Moist 
 meadows, Appuldurcombe ; Brading, low parts of 
 Landslip. 
 
 Ophrys muscifera. (Fly Orchis.) In the Rew 
 
 Copses, and on the grassy banks north of Rew Copses. 
 Not easy to find, as it grows amongst tall grass. 
 
FLOEAL CALENDAE. 137 
 
 Habenaria. (Butterfly Orchis.) Kew Copses, and 
 the slope of the Downs, near the Copses. 
 
 Neottia nidus-avis. (Bird's Nest.) Rew Copses, 
 Landslip, &c., usually amongst dead leaves. It almost 
 looks like a spike of dried leaves. 
 
 Listera OVata. (Tw ay-blade.) Extremely com- 
 mon in every wood and copse. 
 
 Pulmonaria officinalis. (Lungwort.) In the 
 Oak Woods at Brading. It is a somewhat rare plant 
 with us. 
 
 Primula elatior. (Yellow Oxlip.) In Rew 
 Copses. Its relative, the common Cowslip, is abundant 
 everywhere. 
 
 Stellaria holostea. (Stitchwort.) This white 
 star-like flower with its grass-like leaves is in every 
 hedgerow. 
 
 Allium ursinum. (Broad-leaved Garlic.) Red- 
 hill Lane, Wroxall ; Godshill Woods. The strong 
 garlic-like odour of this plant has often painfully dis- 
 enchanted the amateur botanist, who, misled by the 
 beautiful umbel of white flowers, rejoiced in the 
 thought that he had found the far rarer Star of 
 Bethlehem. 
 
 JUNE. 
 
 " The Queen-month of flowers ! " 
 
 Orchis maculata. (Spotted Palmate Orchis.) 
 Abundantly in moist and boggy places. Very fine on 
 the moors at Godshill, some of the flower spikes 
 measuring five inches in length. 
 
 Orchis Conopsea. (Gymnadenia.) Half way 
 up the Rifle Valley, Ventnor; very plentiful. It 
 
133 FLORAL CALENDAR. 
 
 may be readily distinguished by its delicate fragrance. 
 In the same spot may be found Oplirys apifera 
 (Bee orchis), also common on other parts of the Downs, 
 and Gentiana amarella (Gentian). A somewhat 
 rare and singularly beautiful plant, Melampyrum 
 arvense (Purple Cow- wheat, Poverty-weed), may now 
 be gathered on a small triangular piece of grassy 
 ground on the top of the Undercliffon the right-hand 
 side just past the road descending into the Pelham 
 Wood. 
 
 Now is also the time for visiting St. Helen's Spit, 
 where many of the rarest of our trefoils will be found ; 
 also Eryngium maritimum (Sea holly), Frankenia 
 (Sea Heath), (Enothera (Evening Primrose), Con- 
 volvulus soldanella (Sea-side Bindweed), the Scilla 
 autumnalis and many other treasures. The Myo- 
 sotis palustris the true Forget-me-not, grows plen- 
 tifully in a stream which runs through a meadow 
 parallel with Eedhill Lane, Wroxall, and ends at 
 French Mill. The Armeria (Sea Pink) flowers 
 abundantly all along the top of the cliffs, from 
 Ventnor to Blackgang. The Samphire may be 
 gathered on the rocks at Steephill Cove, and in the 
 same place, but higher up, almost out of reach, flowers 
 the Matthiola (Shrubby Stock). 
 
 JULY. 
 
 Many of the plants mentioned in last month are still 
 in flower. In addition to them may now be found the 
 Anagallis tenella (Bog Pimpernel). This elegant little 
 plant with its pale rose-coloured petals is abundant 
 on Lake Common, and also at the Wilderness, and 
 
FLORAL CALENDAR. 139 
 
 Apse Heatli. The Cross-leaved Heath may generally 
 be met with in close vicinity. On Sandown Level 
 that strange plant, the Drosera rotundifolia the 
 " Vegetable Spider/' as it has been aptly called, grows 
 very plentifully; also Prunella (Self-heal). The 
 Statice limonium (Sea Lavender) is abundant about 
 Brading Harbour. 
 
 AUGUST. 
 
 Orchis pyramidalis. (Pyramidal Orchis.) On 
 St. Boniface and St. Catherine's Downs ; also in the 
 Landslip, and moist chalky meadows. 
 
 Epipactis palustris. (Marsh Helleborine.) On 
 the wet bank of slipped clay in the Landslip near the 
 sea. 
 
 Lathyrus sylvestris. (Everlasting Pea.) Plen- 
 tifully in the Landslip. 
 
 Lysimachia VUlgaris. (Great Yellow Loose- 
 strife.) Sandown Level ; Alverstone Lynch. 
 
 Cotyledon limbellicus. (Wall Pennywort, Navel- 
 wort.) Plentifully on hedgebanks along the cross- 
 road from Bohemia to Kennerly Heath. 
 
 AndroS03mum officinale. (Tutsan, Park- 
 leaves.) The Wilderness ; plantations at the back of 
 the Griffin Inn, Godshill. 
 
 Spiranthes autumnalis. (Fragrant Lady's 
 
 Tresses.) Landslip ; St. Helen's ; Sandown. Very 
 abundant some years. 
 
 With the month of August the reign of summer may 
 be said to end, although in fine seasons many of the 
 above-mentioned plants may still be found in Septem- 
 ber. Then comes the time of seeds and berries, carry- 
 
140 FLORAL CALENDAR. 
 
 ing us cheerfully through what would otherwise be a 
 bare and desolate time. But there is no such period 
 in nature. From early spring-time, with young life 
 everywhere, to the " miracle of blossoming summer," 
 when every twig and spray bursts forth into blushing 
 beauty, on to the rich mellow tints of autumn, ' ' all 
 are but parts of one stupendous whole," all are but 
 pages of that mighty book, whose blessed mission 
 it is 
 
 " Through all the years of this our life, to lead 
 From joy to joy for she can so inform 
 The mind that is within us, so impress 
 With quietness and beauty, and so feed 
 With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, 
 Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men, 
 Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all 
 The dreary intercourse of daily life 
 Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb 
 Our cheerful faith that all that we behold 
 Is full of blessings." 
 
 WORDSWORTH. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ACER, 30. 
 
 Betula, 107. 
 
 Convolvulus, 82. 
 
 Adonis, 2. 
 
 Bidens, 72. 
 
 Cornus, 61. 
 
 Adoxa, 61. 
 
 Blechnum, 130. 
 
 Corydalis, 7. 
 
 ^Egopodium, 58. 
 
 Borago, 84. 
 
 Corylus, 108. 
 
 Agrimonia, 47. 
 
 Botrychium, 130. 
 
 Cotyledon, 53. 
 
 Agrostemma, 21. 
 
 Brassica, 12. 
 
 Crambe, 10. 
 
 Ajuga, 92. 
 
 Bryonia, 52. 
 
 Crataegus, 49. 
 
 Alchemilla, 47. 
 
 Bunium, 58. 
 
 Crepis, 69. 
 
 Alisma, 118. 
 
 Butomus, 118. 
 
 Crithmum, 59. 
 
 Alliaria, 11. 
 
 
 Cuscuta, 82. 
 
 Allium, 115. 
 
 
 Cynoglossum, 85. 
 
 Alnus, 108. 
 
 CAKILE, 9. 
 
 
 Althaea, 27. 
 
 Calamintha, 94. 
 
 
 Anagallis, 97. 
 
 Calluna, 78. 
 
 DAUCUS, 60. 
 
 Anemone, 2. 
 
 Caltha, 4. 
 
 Delphinium, 4. 
 
 Angelica, 59. 
 
 Calystegia, 82. 
 
 Digitalis, 88. 
 
 Anthemis, 75. 
 
 Campanula, 76. 
 
 Dipsacus, 65. 
 
 Anthriscus, 60. 
 
 Capsella, 8. 
 
 Draba, 9. 
 
 Anthyllis, 39. 
 
 Cardamine, 10. 
 
 Drosera, 17. 
 
 Apargia, 67. 
 
 Carduus, 70. 
 
 
 Apium, 57. 
 
 Carlina, 71. 
 
 
 Arctium, 70. 
 
 Centaurea, 71. 
 
 ECHIUM, 84. 
 
 Arenaria, 23. 
 
 Centranthus, 64. 
 
 Epilobium, 49. 
 
 Armeria, 98. 
 
 Cerastium, 24. 
 
 Epipactis, 113. 
 
 Artemsia, 73. 
 
 Ceterach, 127. 
 
 Equisetum, 125. 
 
 Arum, 120. 
 
 Chaerophyllum, 60. 
 
 Erica, 78. 
 
 Asparagus, 117. 
 
 Cheiranthus, 12. 
 
 Erodium, 31. 
 
 Asperula, 64. 
 
 Chelidonium, 6. 
 
 Eryngium, 57. 
 
 Asplenium, 128. 
 
 Chenopodium, 99. 
 
 Erythraea, 81. 
 
 Aster, 73. 
 
 Chlora, 81. 
 
 Euonymus, 33. 
 
 Astragalus, 39. 
 
 Chrysanthemum, 75. 
 
 Eupatorium, 72. 
 
 Athyrium, 129. 
 
 Chrysosplenium, 55. 
 
 Euphorbia, 104. 
 
 Atriplex, 100. 
 
 Cicorium, 70. 
 
 Euphrasia, 89. 
 
 
 Circaea, 50. 
 
 
 BALLOTA, 93. 
 
 Clematis, 2. 
 
 
 Barbarea, 10. 
 
 Cnicus, 71. 
 
 FAGUS, 108. 
 
 Bellis, 75. 
 
 Cochlearia, 9. 
 
 Fedia, 65. 
 
 Beta, 100. 
 
 Comarum, 46. 
 
 Foeniculum, 59. 
 
 Betoniua, 94. 
 
 Conium, 57. 
 
 Fragaria, 46. 
 
142 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Frankenia, 18. 1 Lathyrus, 40. Ornithopus, 41. 
 
 Fraxinus, 80. 
 
 Lavatera, 27. Orobanche, 86, 
 
 Fumaria, 6. 
 
 Lemna, 121. 
 
 Osmunda, 130. 
 
 
 Leontodon, 69. 
 
 Oxalis, 32. 
 
 
 Lepidium, 8. 
 
 
 GALANTHUS, 114. 
 Galeobdolon, 93. 
 
 Ligustrum, 79. 
 Linaria, 88. 
 
 PA PAVER, 5. 
 
 Galeopsis, 93. 
 Galium, 63. 
 
 Linum, 25. 
 Listera, 112. 
 
 Parietaria, 106. 
 Pastinaca, 59. 
 
 Genista, 35. 
 
 Lithospermum, 84. 
 
 Pedicular is, 89. 
 
 Gentiana, 81. 
 
 Lonicera, 62. 
 
 Peplis, 52. 
 
 Geranium, 31. 
 
 Lotus, 38. 
 
 Petasites, 73. 
 
 Geum, 45. 
 
 Lychnis, 21. 
 
 Petroselinum, 57. 
 
 Glaucium, 6. 
 Glaux, 97. 
 
 HABENARTA, 111. 
 
 Lycopsis, 85. 
 Lycopus, 91. 
 Lysimachia, 97. 
 Lythrum, 52. 
 
 Picris, 67. 
 Pimpinella, 58. 
 Plantago, 98. 
 Poly gala, 18. 
 Polygonum, 102. 
 
 Hedera, 61 . 
 Helianthemum, 15. 
 Helleborus, 4. 
 Helminthia, 67. 
 Heracleum, 60. 
 
 MELACHIUM, 24. 
 Malva, 26. 
 Matricaria, 75. 
 Matthiola, 12. 
 
 Polypodium, 127- 
 Polystichum, 127. 
 Populus, 107. 
 Potamogeton, 122. 
 Potentilla, 15. 
 
 Hieracium 69. 
 
 Medicago, 36. 
 
 Poterium, 47. 
 
 Hippocrepis, 41. 
 Hippuris, 51. 
 Honckenya, 23. 
 Humulus, 107. 
 Hyacinthus, 116. 
 Hydrocotyle, 56. 
 Hyoscyamus, 86. 
 Hypericum, 28. 
 Hypochaeris, 68. 
 
 Melampyrum, 88. 
 Melilotus, 37. 
 Mentha, 92. 
 Menyanthes, 82. 
 Mercurialis, 105. 
 Moenchia, 22. 
 Monotropa, 78. 
 Myosotis, 85. 
 Myosurus, 4. 
 Myriophyllum, 51. 
 
 Primula, 96. 
 Prunella, 95. 
 Prunus, 44. 
 Pteris, 129. 
 Pulicaria, 74. 
 Pulmonaiia, 84. ' 
 Pyrus, 48. 
 
 QUERCUS, 108. 
 
 
 Myrica, 108. 
 
 
 
 
 RADIOLA, 25. 
 
 ILEX, 79. 
 
 . 
 
 Ranunculus, 3. 
 
 Inula, 74. 
 Iris, 113. 
 
 NARCISSUS, 114. 
 Narfchecium, 117. 
 
 Raphanus, 13. 
 Reseda, 13. 
 
 
 Nasturtium, 11. 
 
 Rhamrius, 34. 
 
 JASIONE, 76. 
 
 Neottia, 112. 
 Nepeta, 94. 
 
 Rhinanthus, 89. 
 Ribes, 54. 
 
 Juncus, 121. 
 
 
 Rosa, 47. 
 
 
 GENANTHE, 58. 
 
 Rubus 46. 
 
 KNAUTIA, 66. 
 
 CEnothera, 50. 
 
 Rumex, 102. 
 
 LACTUCA, 68. 
 
 Onobrychis, 41. 
 Ononis, 36. 
 Ophioglossum, 130. 
 
 Ruppia^ 123. 
 Ruscus, 117. 
 
 Lamium, 93. 
 
 Ophrys, 111. 
 
 
 Lapsana, 69. 
 
 Orchis, 109. 
 
 SAGINA, 21. 
 
 Lastrea, 127. 
 
 Origanum, 92. 
 
 Salicornia, 101. 
 
 Lathraea, 87, 
 
 Ornithogalum, 115. 
 
 .Salix, iuy. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 143 
 
 Sal sol a, 101. 
 
 Sparganium, 120. 
 
 Salvia, 91. 
 
 Spergula, 53. 
 
 Sambucus, 62. 
 
 Spergularia, 53. 
 
 Samolus, 97. 
 
 Spiraea, 44. 
 
 Sanicula, 56. 
 
 Spirauthes, 112. 
 
 Sarothamnus, 36. 
 
 Stachys, 94. 
 
 Scabiosa, 65. 
 
 Statice, 98. 
 
 Scilla, 116. 
 
 Stellaria, 22. 
 
 Scolopendrium, 129. 
 
 Sua^da, 100. 
 
 Scleranthus, 101. 
 
 Symphytum, 84. 
 
 Scrophularia, 88. 
 
 
 Scntellaria, 95. 
 
 
 Sedurn, 54. 
 
 TAMTJS, 116. 
 
 Senebiera, 10. 
 
 Tanacetum, 72. 
 
 Senecio, 74. 
 
 Teucrium, 93. 
 
 Sherardia, 64. 
 
 Thalictrum, 2. 
 
 Silene, 20. 
 
 Thesium, 103. 
 
 Smapis, 12. 
 
 Thrincia, 68. 
 
 Sisoi., 58. 
 
 Thymus, 92. 
 
 Sisymbriurn, 11. 
 
 Tilia, 27. 
 
 Smyrnium, 57. 
 
 Torilis, 60. 
 
 Solanum, 86. 
 
 Tormentilla, 45-. 
 
 Solid ago, 74. 
 
 Tragopogon, 66. 
 
 Sonchus, 68. 
 
 Triglochiu, 118. 
 
 Trifolium, 37. 
 Trigonella, 37. 
 Tulipa, 115. 
 Tussilago, 73. 
 Typha, 120. 
 
 ULEX, 35. 
 Ulmus, 107. 
 Urtica, 106. 
 
 VACCINIUM, 77. 
 Valeriana, 64. 
 Verbascum, 90. 
 Verbena, 96. 
 Veronica, 90. 
 Viburnum, 62. 
 Vicia, 39. 
 Viola, 16. 
 Viscum, 62. 
 
 ZANNICHELLIA, 123. 
 Zostera, 124. 
 
 THE END. 
 
LONDON: 
 
 GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, 
 ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.