134. FLOWERS OF THE ROADSIDES AND HEDGES 
of anthocyan or red colouring matter, as in many moisture-loving 
plants. 
It may be recognized by the above characters, and the small yellow 
flowers (4 in. in diameter), which grow in loose racemes, with pods, 
either closely united throughout or slightly spreading, The pods have 
an awl-shaped point and 
are square, and are broader 
than the flower-stalks. It 
grows to a height of 2 ft. 
The flowering stage lasts 
from May to August. The 
plant appears to be bien- 
nial, not perennial, as usu- 
ally stated. 
On each side of the 
two shorter stamens (there 
are six stamensaltogether), 
at the base of the sepals, 
there is a small fleshy, 
green honey - gland, and 
between each longer pair 
a larger gland, external to 
their base, and also where 
the short stamens are abor- 
tive or functionless. In 
fine weather a drop of 
liquid (colourless) may be 
seen on each of the stamens. 
The anthers are situated 
irrespective of the position 
Pio Rec. ata Of the honey-glands. The 
WINTER CRESS (Barbarea vulgaris, Ait.) longer stamens make a 
revolution of 90 degrees 
towards the short stamens, and exceed the stigma, from the time when 
the anthers open after the flower expands till the anther is completely 
covered on one side with pollen. The two short anthers on a level with 
the stigma are still turned towards it after opening, and the anthers are 
placed as in Water Cress, while the glands are as many as in JV. sydvestre. 
Winter Cress is dispersed by its own agency. When the pods are 
dry they become tense and burst, and the light seeds are scattered to 
some distance. 
