^ ONAGPvARI^ 



grows usually to a height of between a foot and three feet, and has, in July 

 and August, flowers of a purplish-red colour. It is very common on moist 



lands. 



4. Spear-leaved Willow-herb (E. lameoUfum).— Leaves stalked, lance- 

 shapcd, irregularly toothed ; stem obtusely angled ; stigma slightly lobed ; 

 root fibrous and perennial. This rare species has been found near Tmtern, 

 Monmouthshire, in the neighbourhood of Bristol, and in various places 

 ranging from Surrey to Cornwall. The flowers, though small, are numerous, 

 of S pale rosy tint, and appearing from July to October. It is fond of 

 rather stony ground, especially Avhen accompanied by moisture. 



5. Broad Smooth-leaved Willow-herb {JE. mmtanum).— Leaves 

 egg-shaped, acute, smooth, toothed, rounded at the base, the lower ones 

 shortly stalked ; stem slender, rounded, sometimes slightly downy. Plant 

 perennial. This species grows commonly on dry places, as on shady hills 

 and banks, and is often to be seen on the cottage-roof. It is a small and 

 unattractive plant, its flowers being rarely fully expanded. They are of a 

 purplish rose-colour, and of small size, though slightly larger than these of 

 the next species. They are produced in June and July. 



* * * Floimrs regular ; stamens erect ; stigma clubbed, not i-cleft. 



6. Pale Smooth-leaved Willow-herb (E.rdseum). — Leaves on stalks, 

 smooth, egg-shaped, finely toothed ; stem erect, imperfectly 4-angled ; stigma 

 undivided, or slightly lobed. Plant perennial. This Willow-herb is local, 

 occurring more frequently in the south than in the north, near water, or in 

 hedges and copses. It has very small rose-coloured flowers in July and August. 



7. Square-stalked Willow-herb {E. tetragdmm). — Leaves lance- 

 shaped, sessile, and slightly toothed ; stem with two, three, or four angles ; 

 stigma undivided. The small rose-coloured flowers of this species appear in 

 July and August, and are not conspicuous, though the plant Avould, after 

 flowering, attract attention by its long pod- like seed-vessels. Its stems are 

 nearly smooth, and it is distinguished from the last species both by the more 

 distinct angles of the stem, and by its narrower leaves without stalks. It is 

 a very common plant in wet places ; its stem is about one or two feet high, 

 and it is in flower during June and July. The most common form of this 

 produces its stolons in summer, and they have the leaves in scattered, 

 opposite pairs ; this form is also known as E. obscunm. The less frequent 

 typical form has autumnal stolons, with leaves forming a rosette. 



8. Narrow-leaved Marsh Willow-herb {E. palustre). — Leaves 

 narrowly lance-shaped, entire, or toothed ; stem rounded, erect, and nearly 

 smooth ; flower-buds nodding ; root-stock with thread-like scions, which pro- 

 duce scaly buds in autumn. Perennial. This species has minute rose-coloured 

 flowers in July and August. Its stem is from sixteen to eighteen inches high, 

 and has often two downy lines on opposite sides. It grows in bogs, and 

 near ditches and pools. 



9. Chickweed-leaved Willow-herb (E. ahinifolium). — Leaves egg- 

 shaped and pointed, very thin, smooth, and nearly sessile, the upper ones 

 toothed, the lower entire ; stem round. Plant perennial. This is a moun- 



