40 ALIEN FLORA OF BRITAIN 



Silene pendula, L. A native of Southern Europe 

 which has long been in cultivation, and has occurred 

 as a garden escape in Britain. 



Silene rubella, L. A native of dry pastures in the 

 Mediterranean area, and also, particularly in the East, 

 a cornfield weed. It has occurred in Britain among 

 grain-sifting aliens. 



[Spergula arvensis, L. Native on the shores of the 

 Mediterranean Sea, and, more rarely so, in other parts 

 of Europe, including Britain. In this country it is, 

 however, much more common as a weed of sandy culti- 

 vated ground.] 



[Stellaria media, Cyrill. Perhaps the commonest of 

 all British weeds. It is so universal that, were it not 

 for geological evidence of its existence prior to man 

 in England, it would be impossible to decide on its 

 claims as a native. It is now abundant in all places 

 disturbed by man, as well as in naturally broken ground, 

 such as surrounds the homes of our wild mammals. 

 In the latter localities it may doubtless be considered 

 a true native of the country.] 



Tunica velutina, Fisch. and Mey. Once found as an 

 introduced casual in Somerset. 



PORTULACACE^. 



Claytonia perfoliata, Donn. Native of stream-sides 

 in North America. Certainly not known in this 



