146 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



the side, the tube twice as long as the calyx. The 

 upper lip is darker in colour. There are four 

 stamens, which are included, and the fifth is a wedge- 

 shaped staminode or scale and notched. The capsule 

 is broadly ovoid, with a narrow point. The seeds 

 are brown with a rough surface. 



In height Knotted Figwort varies from 2-6 ft. It 

 flowers from June to September, and is a herbaceous 

 perennial, largely propagated by the tubers. 



It is considered that the colour of the flowers is 

 attractive to wasps, and also resembles their colouring. 

 The stigma ripens first, and is receptive for two days, 

 when it projects. The anthers then open and shed 

 pollen, lasting two days. After the stigma has 

 received pollen it bends down. The upper flowers 

 open first. The younger flowers receive pollen 

 brought by insects from older flowers of another 

 plant. The flowers have a peculiar, somewhat 

 unpleasant scent, also perhaps attractive to wasps. 



The capsule opens by valves and the seeds are 

 dispersed by the wind. 



The names which Britten and Holland cite as 

 applicable to this plant are Bore-tree, Brennet, 

 Brown Net, Stinking Christopher, Cutfinger, Fig- 

 wort, Hastie Roger, Kernelwort, Murrain-grass, 

 Great Pilewort, Poor Man's Salve, Rose Noble, 

 Stinking Roger, Throatwort. 



The reputed medicinal properties of this plant 

 have been mentioned above. 



ScROPHULARiA NODOSA. — In Fig. 40 note the oppo- 



i 



