GAMOPETAL^ 295 



in allusion to the spurred corolla. Another distinc- 

 tion lies in the usually red (sometimes white when 

 cultivated) colour of the flower (hence ruber). 



In the south of England the Red Valerian appears 

 to be a naturalised plant, and, especially where it 

 grows in chalk-pits, has almost the appearance of 

 being a native plant. It has also been found in 

 Ireland. It appears to be rare in the North. 



Native on rocky places in the Mediterranean region, 

 the habitat in this country is disused chalk-pits, chalk 

 cliffs, and old walls, and on railway banks in Kent. 

 In Central England it is confined to the last. 



The habit is erect. The rootstock is branched, 

 forming at length a bushy tuft. The whole plant is 

 smooth, and generally bluish-green, as is the case 

 amongst maritime plants, often due to a covering of 

 wax to prevent the clogging of the stomata or pores 

 by which the plant transpires or gives off water in the 

 form of vapour. The waxy coat also prevents adverse 

 effects of strong light or intense heat. The stems 

 are stout, woody below, with erect, hollow branches, 

 round in section. The lower leaves are lance-shaped, 

 stalked, the upper stalkless, entire, or with a few teeth 

 below, triangular to ovate. 



The flowers are numerous, in long cymes, dense, 

 arranged all on one side, forming a terminal panicle, 

 red or white. The spur of the corolla is shorter than 

 the tube. The calyx in fruit unrolls at the border 

 into a bell-shaped feathery pappus. The fruit is ovoid, 

 rough, narrow, flattened. There is a single stamen. 



