GAMOPETAL^ 289 



The tube of the corolla is small, slender, with four 

 small, spreading lobes. 



The fruit is very small, roughly hairy, crowned by 

 the erect calyx teeth. 



Flowers may be found between April and October, 

 but I have seen the plant in flower in March and 

 also in December. 



The flowers contain honey at the base of the pistil, 

 and it is concealed at the base of the tube. Female 

 and complete flowers occur on different plants. As 

 a rule they are liable to be self-pollinated owing to 

 the inconspicuous flowers, in the absence of insect 

 visitors. In the complete flowers the anthers ripen 

 first. They are larger than the female flowers. 

 They are, however, sometimes homogamous. Small 

 butterflies are able to reach the honey best owing 

 to the narrowness of the tube, which favours also 

 self-pollination when insects do not cross-pollinate 

 the flower. Flies are the chief visitors. 



To some extent, the fruit may be dispersed by 

 animals, but the hairs are not very long. The per- 

 sistent calyx may assist in the dispersal of the fruit 

 by the wind. 



Field Madder is called Allison, Dodger, Herb 

 Sherard, Madderlen, Spurwort. 



Sherardia arvensis. — The illustration {Fig. 62) 

 shows the habit of the plant and the whorls of leaves. 



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