A Nascent Variety of Brunella vulgaris, L. 



By J. T. Rothrock, B.S., M.D. 



AS commonly seen in the eastern United States, Brunella 

 vulgaris, L, is an erect or ascending perennial herb } 

 with its spike or head of flowers raised from five inches 

 to a foot above the ground. More commonly the stem is 

 erect and simple ; frequently, however, one finds lateral shoots 

 arising low down and often creeping along the ground. Both 

 the erect and creeping shoots produce similar terminal spikes. 

 It is important, however, to bear in mind that the erect form 

 is with us much the more common, and that the plant is 

 usually found in open woods or along the road sides. Within 

 the past few years Brunella has invaded certain shady lawns 

 in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and from the fact of its 

 rapid multiplication by rooting laterals is becoming a most 

 serious pest. The flowering shoots in these lawn specimens 

 have been much reduced in length, so that the flowers are 

 seldom raised more than two inches above the ground ; more 

 frequently they are on the ground. The same peculiarity has 

 also been noticed in the common dandelion when in similar 

 situations. 



From a consideration of all the facts, the case of Bru- 

 nella vulgaris appeared to be an illustration of the prompt 

 action of natural selection in producing a variety of the 

 species which could perpetuate itself in spite of the lawn- 

 mower. 



Within a year this special form of low-flowering and low- 

 seeding plant has been noticed in many places, and has occa- 

 sioned much surprise from the striking deviation it offers 

 from the type of the species. 



But the most remarkable feature of the problem is the 

 promptness with which it seems to have appeared. Its 



