128 FLOWERS OF F.AKFS, RIVERS, ETC. 



Scutellaria is from the I.aiin sciilclla, a sliickl, ire mi ilic shape of 

 the cah.x, aiul the secoiul Latin name refers to thi- hehnet-shaped 

 corolla. 



The [)lant is called Hooded Willow Herb as well as Skull-cap, both 

 alluding to the sliape of the upper li[). 



Essential Specific Characters: — 



254. Sdilcllar/a galcriculata, L. — Stem erect, stout, leaves ovate, 

 serrate, cordate below, flowers blue and white, opposite, axillary, the 

 tube exceeding the calyx. 



Amphibious Knotgrass (Polygonum amphibium, L.) 



Though it is unkniiwn in an\' ancient deposits in ISritain this 

 ubicjuitous plant is known in .S. .Sweelen. .\i tlic present time it is 

 found in the X. Temperate and .Arctic region.s. It is found every- 

 where in Great Britain except in Cardigan and Merioneth, as iar 

 north as the Shetlands, and in Ireland and the Channel Islands. 



As the specific name imi^lies, this plant grows both in water and on 

 l<uid, being bv nature really aquatic or a liydrdplntc, l)ul taking, when 

 so driven, to a terrestrial habitat, when it passes through a hygro- 

 philous state, growing in damp situations, to a sometimes cjuite dry 

 habitat, where it becomes a xerophyte. When aquatic it is smooth, 

 when terrestri.d it is exlreniel}' hirsute, and seldom flowers. it is found 

 in rivers, brooks, ponds, pools, and when found on land its occurrence 

 denotes the former existence of some pool or ditch, since drained. 



When growing in water it is prostrate or floating", the flower-stalks, 

 however, being erect; but on land the whole plant, from a creeping, 

 fibrous, long root, is erect. The root is reddish brown. The leaves 

 are stalked, heart shaped, lance-shaped, hairy or smooth, rigid, some- 

 times spotted, alternate and spreading. The ocre^e or membranous 

 stipules are large, closely pressed, l)lunt. 



The flowers are apetalous, with no corolla, bright pink, in solitary, 

 terminal racemes, dense, on hairy flower-stalks, which are paired. The 

 calyx is pedicellate, 5-partite, with o\al, blunt segments. The seeds 

 are glossy and flattened at the margin. There are 5 stamens antl 

 2 styles. 



.\mphil)ious Knotgrass is 1-2 ft. high. The flowers bloom in June 

 till August. The plant is i)erennial, and freely propagated by roots. 



The stigma is projecting one-fifth, allowing ants to get honey with- 

 out pollinating it. The honey is plentiful, situated in 5 yellow glands 

 at the base of the ovary, and the flowers conspicuous. The stamens 



