l82 



HALORAGE^ 



elongated erect spike ; bracts pinnatifid, longer than the flowers, 

 the upper ones without flowers in their axils.— Stagnant water ; 

 not common. The whole plant is submerged with the exception 

 of the spikes of inconspicuous flowers, which rise a few inches 

 above the surface.— Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



2. M. spicdtum (Spiked Water Milfoil). — Avery s-imilar plant, 

 with leaves 4 in a whorl and very small bracts, of which only the 

 lower are pinnate, so that the whorls of flowers form a slender, 



MYRIOPHYLLUM spicAtum {Spiked Water Milfoil). 



erect, and apparently leafless spike. — More common than the 

 preceding. — Fl. June — August. Perennial. 



3. M. alte7'niflbrum (Alternate-flowered Water Milfoil). — 

 Another similar plant, but more slender; leaves 3 or 4 in a 

 whorl ; bracts at the base of the spike in whorls of 3 or 4, pinnate, 

 longer than the axillary '^\'s>i\Vi3XQ flowers ; those higher up opposite 

 or alternate, entire or serrate, shorter than the staminate flowers, 

 which thus appear to form a leafless spike which is nodding 

 when in bud. The most frequent species. — Fl. May — August. 

 Perennial. 



