WATER PLANTAIN 



151 



'Yfw i'/ 



plant, especially when ali_<^hting- in the middle, and when alii^hliny on the 

 petals the former result is also more probable from the relative position 

 of the parts. The anthers open externally, and are directed upwards 

 and outwards. Honey half- concealed is secreted in 12 drops at the 

 base of the stamens in the ring formed by the anther-stalks, and one 

 opposite each anther-stalk, 

 and one in each interval. 



The flies make a tour 

 of these drops and get 

 thoroughly dusted with 

 pollen in the process. 

 The plant is visited by 

 flies, Erislalis sepitlchra- 

 /iSy Syritta pipiois, Ascia 

 podagrica, Mc/aiiostonia 

 mellina, Mclithreptus. 



The carpels when 

 ripe fall to the ground 

 or water and are so dis- 

 persed. 



This handsome plant 

 is aquatic or terrestrial. 

 It grows on sandy loam 

 or silt, alluxium, &c. 



A fungus, Doassansia 

 a/isma/is, is found to attack 

 it. Two beetles, Donacia 

 menyaiithidis, Hydrono- 

 nius alisnialis, three moths. 

 The Dog's Tooth [Hadena 



suasa). Gold Spot {P/usia festuccr), Toiin'x viburnaua, are found 

 on it. 



Alisvia, Pliny, is ultimately connected with the Greek /ta/s, salt, 

 and the second Latin name means water plantain, Plaiitago being a 

 name given by Pliny. 



This plant is called Deil's Spoons, Great Thrumwort. It causes 

 blisters applied externally, and is bitter. It is injurious to cattle. 



Essential Specific Characters: — 



314. Alisnia Plantago-aquatica, L. — Scape tall, branched, leaves 

 radical, erect, lanceolate, petiolate, flowers pink in whorls, fruit com- 

 pressed. 



I'll. 40 J, HCralit 



Water Plantain (Alisma Plau/ngo-aquaticn, L. ) 



