THALAMIFLOR^ 141 



Milkwort [Poly gala vulgaris). 



Formerly all regarded as constituting one species, 

 there are now several distinct species of Milkwort 

 which are recognised. The one under review is the 

 most common. It is found in all parts of the British 

 Isles, as far north as Shetland, and in the Channel 

 Islands. 



This is a typical heath plant, found on sandy 

 commons, in upland meadows and pastures, and in 

 peaty fens. The type of pasture it frequents is 

 neutral grassland on a clayey or loamy soil, with 

 Grassy Stitchwort, Purging Flax, Red and White 

 Clover, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Tormentil, etc. Another 

 habitat is the grass heath on sandy soil. It is also 

 found on limestone and chalk pasture. 



Wiry, and more or less prostrate in habit, the 

 rootstock is woody and short, the stem having pro- 

 strate or ascending branches, which may flower the 

 first year. The plant is smooth or rarely downy. 

 The stems are numerous and leafy. The leaves are 

 scattered, the lower ones crowded, smaller, oval or 

 rounded, oblong, the upper linear to lance-shaped, 

 alternate, rather leathery, and entire. 



The flowers are extremely beautiful, variable in 

 colour, usually blue, but also white, lilac, or purple, 

 in terminal racemes, on short stalks with a small 

 bract below. The three outer sepals are small, 

 linear, green, the two wings twice as large, oblong 

 and coloured. They turn green after the ovules are 



