THE POLYPETALiE 



i 



7 



III. The Strawberry Group (Potentilleidae). — The flower 

 of this group resembles the Buttercup in its general 

 build, but differs in that it is per igy nous. If the stamens 

 be pulled aside, it will be found that they are not placed 

 close up against the carpels, but form a ring a httle 

 apart from them (fig. 76). In all the members the calyx 

 is jyeTHistent, a fact which furnishes a very useful feature 

 for diagnostic purposes. The fruits of tlie Strawberry, 

 Bramble, and Raspberry are succulent; the rest, however, 

 form a dry fruit. The carpels are many (fig. 76). 



Common Agrimony {Agrimonia Eiipatoria). 

 Chara cteriat ics : — 



I 



1. Yellow flower. 



2. Pinnate leaves, each alternate pair being smallei'. 



Tliese characteristics, in addition to those common to 

 the whole group, serve to identify this plant with ease. 

 The herb is aromatic and tonic, and is in demand by 

 herbalists. It is commonly made into tea. The whole 



herb is picked in July. 

 The Wood Avens (Gciim urhanum).—T\ie lea\-cs of 



this herb are shown in %. 44. The flowers - -' 



and yellow. The 

 fruits have long- 

 pointed awns 



hooked at the end. 

 It is quite a com- 

 111 on plant, and 

 flowers from June 

 to August. In olden 

 flays it was much " . 



used in culinary operations on account of its aromatic 

 o<lour. Incidentally it was also used in the travails of 

 the soul for warding off evil spirits. The root is astrin- 

 gent, owing to the presence of tannic acid. It has also 



•e erect 



Fig. 44— leaves of Wood Avens 



