THE , 



JOURNAL OF BOTANY 



UIBKAKT 



BRITISH AND FOREIGK ^^^ ^ORK 



BOTANIGAU 

 * UAKIiBN 



A NEW FORM OF HELLEBORINE VIRIDIFLORA. 



Bt T, A?fD T. A. Stephensox. 



KxowiNCi that we were studying critical British Orchids, Mr. E. 

 W. Hunnybun kindly drew our attention to a curious form of Helle- 

 horine which occurs at Ventnor, and which has not hitherto been 

 definitely identified. He forwarded to us several fresh specimens, 

 with details as to their habitat. At first sight it did not seem 

 possible to refer this form to any British species, but on entering into 

 detail we found that, although differing markedly in general facies 

 from the Lancashire coast plant, our Ventnor form was undoubtedly 

 H. viridifiora (Reichb.) Wheldon & Travis. But taking into 

 account the differences in foi-ra and habitat, it seemed advisable to 

 record it as -a forma : we deprecate giving it the rank of a variety or 

 subspecies. 



Helleborixk YiKiDrPLORA (Reichb.) Wheldon & Travis forma 

 VECTEXSis, form. nov. 



A forma duneusf (vide infra) his characteribus differt : — • 



Tota planta delicatior et gracilior. Folia potius cano-vii'idia 

 quam llavo-viridia, minora, laxiora et angustiora ; undulata ; costse 

 minus prominentes. Flores mxilto inclinatiores. Petala et sepala, 

 ha3C priBsertira, Lmgiora, angustiora et acuminatiora. Lahelli hypo- 

 chiliion aliquantum minus ventricosum. 



In loco umbroso crescit, forma (/niimsi.s in aprico. Ambse formae 

 stigma post poUinis massulas habent, et rostellum abortivum. * 



Plant even more delicate and slender than in the Southport form. 

 Stems solitar}', practically glabrous below, with slight pubescence 

 above ; tinged at the base with dull or bright violet. Sheaths 

 of stem several, appressed, the uppermost often funnel-shaped. Leaves 

 of a greyer, less yellowisli green than in the Southport form, and 

 without the stiff stem-embracing habit of the latter ; lax, undulate or 

 twisted, not strongly ribbed; their edges minutely ciliated, but less 

 markedly than in either of the allied species; nerves practically smooth 

 or minutel}^ ciliated ; lower leaves lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, 

 upper leaves linear-lanceolate to linear, acute ; on the whole smaller 

 and narrower than in the Soutliport form, few and rather distant. 

 Lower bracts variable, never much exceeding the ilowers. Flowers 

 in a lax few-flowered raceme ; much more drooping than in the 

 .lolKXAL Ul" BoTANV. — VoL. 56. [Jaxuary, 1918.] B 



