82 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



weed is easily distinguished from all the other plants of the order by 

 the form of the fruit, which is triangular and inversely heart-shaped. 

 When ripe, it splits into two boat-shaped, keeled valves, which 



separate from a 

 central mem- 

 brane to which 

 the seeds are 

 attached. 



The Common 

 Scurvy Grass 

 [C ochleari a 

 officinalis) is to 

 be found chiefly 

 on the sea shore, 

 but it often ex- 

 tends for miles 

 inland, especi- 

 ally along the 

 banks of the es- 

 tuaries of rivers. 

 It is a smooth, 

 succulent plant, 

 from four to 

 eight inches 

 high. The little 

 white flowers 

 have spreading 

 petals, and are 

 arranged in a 

 short raceme ; 

 and the fruit is 

 globular or oval, 

 nearly a quarter 

 of an inch long, 

 pointed at the 

 top, with several 



seeds in each cell. This plant commences to flower in May, and 



continues in bloom until August. 



The Common Whitlow Grass [Draha verna) is a very small and 



inconspicuous plant, abundant on banks and hedgerows, bearing 



minute, white flowers in April and May. It has a cluster of narrow. 



The Shepherd's Purse. 



