122 

 CUSCUTA HASSIACA.-P/ci/. 



THE LUCERN DODDER. 



Cuscuta corymbosa ('iJitj':' et Pav.) C. suaveolens (Scr.) C. racemosa (Iiujelman,) 



Granimica aphylla (Lour); and lugelmamiia or Cuscutina 



suaveolens (Pfeiff.) 



Stems branched thread-like, of a pale orange coloiu-. 



Flowers fasciculate, on short stalks in racemes, wlute, or a pale lilac tint. 



Calyx funnel-shaped ; segments semi-transparent, erect, ovate, acute and 

 close pressed to the tube of the corolla. 



Corolla more than twice the length of the calyx ; tube campanulate with 

 a five-cleft sjireading limb, the lobes ovate, acute 



Scales large and broad with fimbriated edges, incurved over the ovary, as 

 long as the tube of the corolla and nearly closing it ; transparent, and with cells 

 reflecting the light, as if frosted. These glistening cells were also scattered over 

 the ujjper portion the tube of the corolla. 



Stamens exserted, filaments broad, half the length of the segments of the 

 limb : anthers bilobed, yellow, becoming brown. 



Styles two, erect, unequal, as long as the ovary ; stigmas round. 



Capsule subglobose, two-ceUed, seeds oblong. 



A very elegant species, with a scent rather resembling that of the Helio- 

 trope. It is parasitical on Lucern, yellow Bedstraw, wild Chamomile, Sow- 

 thistles, &c. 



The Cuscuta Hassiaca is among the species excluded from the London 

 Catalogue of plants, nor is any representation given of it in the new edition of 

 Sowerby's great work now in course of publication. It was found by Mr. 

 Varenne, near Witham, Essex, 1851 ; and also previoiisly, near Riven Hall, in 

 the same county. It is not known to have occurred since that time, \intil the 

 attention of the Kev. J. F. Crouch was drawn to it by W. Langston, Esq., 

 IM.R.C.S., in whose field at Marston, in the parish of Pembridge, it was growing 

 jilentifuUy on Lucern. The Lucern was raised from seed purchased in London, 

 and was of probably foreign growth. 



The Illustration opposite is very kindly presented to the Club by JIv, 

 Crouch. 



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