98. 8CR0PKULARIACEJE. [21. Cbntranthera. 



2. Y. agrestis, L. 



An annual with nnmeroiis prostrate branches 4-12" long*, with 

 petioled ovate cordate or orbicular coarsely crenate- serrate leaves 

 •3-8", and solitary axillary blvie or white flowers "IT-^o" diam. 

 Capsule compressed, 2-lobed, -25" diam., hairy or ciliate, on decvirved 

 pedicels. 



This is abundant in the plains of northern India and will prohahly be found in 

 our Northern Area. Fl., Fr. c.s. It also occurs commonly in Britain where it is 

 known as the '" Field Speedwell." 



20. SCOPARIA, L. 



Herbs or undershrubs, with opposite or whorled, entire or toothed,, 

 g-land-punctate leaves. Flowers small, sub-regular, axillary, ebrac- 

 teolate. Sepals 4-5, free or nearly so, imbricate in bud. Corolla 

 rotate 4-fid, throat densely bearded, lobes obtuse, subequal. Stamens 

 4, subequal : anthers subsagittate, cells parallel or diverging. Style- 

 subclavate, stigma notched or truncate. Ovules many. Capsule 

 globose or ovoid, septicidal ; valves separating from the placenti- 

 ferous axis, valves with inflexed margins. Seeds many, obovoid,. 

 angled, scrobiculate. 



1. S. dulcis, L. 



An erect much branched foetid herb Avith 3-nately whorled, 

 glandular, serrate leaves '5-1 "5", rhomboid or elliptic with tapering- 

 base, serrate. Flowers 3-6 from each Avhorl on slender •3--5"-long- 

 slender pedicels. Corolla delicate white, '2" diam. Capsule very 

 small, •!", sub-globose, valves ultimately 2-fid. 



Waste ground. Very common in the rains, especially in the damper districts f 

 Fl.. Fr. r.s. 



Stems nearly glabrous, 4-6-angled or -lined. Upper leaves often opposite. 

 Petiole scarcely separable from the slender leaf base. Sepals 3-nerved, slightly 

 shorter than the capsule. Corolla divided nearlj' to the base. Stamens as long. 

 Style stout. 



21. CENTRANTHERA, Br. 



Eigid scabrid herbs, Avith leaves opposite or upper alternate, linear 

 or oblong. Flowers axillary or in bracteate spikes or racemes, 

 bracteolate. Calyx compressed, spathaceous, lobes coherent or free. 

 Corolla Avith long curved tube, dilated above and obliqvie limb with 

 5 broad subequal spreading lobes, 2 upper innermost in bud. 

 Stamens didynamous, anthers meeting in pairs, cells transverse, 

 bases mucronate or spurred, one often smaller and empty. Stigma 

 dilated acute. Capsule ovoid or siibglobose, loculicidal, \-alves 

 placentiferous along the centre. Seeds very many, oblong-cuneate, 

 testa lax, reticulate. 



Erect, hispid. Coi-olla purple 1. hispida. 



Diffuse, hispidulous or usually glabrous. Corolla yellow . . . 2. humifusa. 



2. C. hispida, Br. 



An erect slender slightly branched herb 1-2 ft. high Avith hispid 

 stem, narroAvly linear to linear-oblong leaves o-l'o" long, and purple- 

 flowers 1" long in interrupted terminal sub-spicate racemes. Spatha- 

 ceous calyx hairy, ■2-"3" long. 



637 



