232 THE DODDEK FAMILY. 



Dodders are found in the temperate countries of both hemispheres, 

 and though in some cases no more than singular weeds, when upon 

 farm-land they are often destructive pests. 



About fifty species are knoNvn, five of which are reputed British, 

 but the real number is probably less, as one or two can hardly be 

 deemed more than varieties. Three out of the five have occurred 

 near Manchester. 



A. 

 Corolla with pointed, spreading lobes, and prominent scales. Stem much 

 branched. 



1. Calyx shorter than the tube of the corolla; its segments l-r, Dodder 



ovate i 



2. Calyx as long as the tube of the corolla ; its segments ) rij. qt-tj. Dodder 



lanceolate I 



B. 



3. Corolla with short broad lobes, and inconspicuous scales, "j 



Calyx nearly as long as the petals. Stem nearly simple. I j^^^^ Dodder 

 Flowers only about five in a head, and much more fleshy I 

 than in the two preceding ' 



HABITATS AND LOCALITIES. 

 1. FuKZE Dodder — {Cuscuta Epithymum.) 

 Upon oats at Peover and Baguley, 1858. (Mr. Worthington.) Fl. 



July, August. Annual. 



E. B. i. 55. 



2. Clover DoDDEB — (Cuscuta Trifdlii.) 



In a clover-field at Bredbury. (Mr. Thomas Coward.) Fl. July, 

 August. Annual. 



E. B., Supp. iii. 2898 (with beautiful dissections). 



Introduced probably from abroad xvith the seeds of the clover. It is not really 

 distinct, I think, from the Epithymum. When its natural victim, the Tri/olium 

 pratense, is not at hand, it can make itself at home upon many other plants. 



3. Flax Dodder — {Ciiscuta Epilinum.) 



In a field of flax near the Cock Inn, Worsley, 1857, plentiful. (J E.) 

 Fl. July, August. Annual. 



E. B., Supp. iii. 2850. 



