BROOKLIME 



121 



Brooklime grows to a height of 2 ft. Flowers are at their Ix-st in May 

 and June. The plant is a herbaceous perennial, pro[)agatetl 1)\ ilixision. 



The flowers are proterogynous, the stigma ripening first, and like 

 r. ChaDKcdrys in the jKisilion of nectaries and contriv^ance for sheltering 

 and indicating pollen. The position of the stamens and pistil regulates 

 the pollination and possibility of self-pollination. The stigma is mature 

 before the llower opens, and has long papilla;, which adhere to the 

 pollen, but the anthers have not \et opened. The stamens and style 

 project trum the flower and form an alighting place for insects. 1 hey 



I'iioio. J. H. Lriibttce 



Brooklimk {I'l'fONi'ra Bi'crahHnga^ L.) 



are only partly e.xpanded in dull weather, and the anthers are quite 

 close to the stigma, and this k-ads to self-pollination. 



The i)etals are wide open in the sun, in one plane more or less. 

 The stamens become widely spreading, and the anthers are far from 

 the stigma before they open. The plant is much visited b\' insects, 

 especially a fly, Syritla pipiciis. The tl\- touches the anlhcrs and 

 stigma w iih different parts of its body, and l)oth cross- and self-pollina- 

 tion result. It touches the stigma with the abdomen, which is pre- 

 viously covered with pollen. 



Brooklime is \isitcd by Svritla, Ascia, Izrishi/is. Sca/op/iaga, 

 Honey Bee, Audrciia. Ilalichn. 



The ca[)sule, which is rounded, is turgid, and adapted for distribu- 

 tion by water. 



