366 



SCROPHULARfN/E 



1. R. Crista-gdlli (Yellow-rattle, Cock's-comb). — An erect, 

 somewhat rigid plant, 12 — 18 in. high, seldom branched; leaves 

 oblong-lanceolate, serrate ; flowers yellow, in a loose spike, with 

 green, ovate, deeply serrate bracts, and conspicuous, pale, inflated 

 calyces. — Pastures; common. The rattling of the ripe seeds in 

 the capsule is a sign in Sweden that the hay is ready to cut ; but 

 in England hay-making begins when the plant is in full flower. — 

 Fl. June. Annual. 



2. R, major (Large Yellow-rattle), a taller, much-branched 



species, has its flowers in 

 crowded spikes, and a yellowish 

 bract, ending in a fine green 

 ^^ point, below each flower. — 



Cultivated fields ; local. — Fl. 

 July, August. Annual. 



15. Melampyrum (Cow- 

 wheat). — Partially parasitic 

 plants with opposite leaves ; 

 calyx tubular, with 4 narrow 

 teeth ; corolla much as in 

 Pediculdris, but with the sides 

 of the upper lip reflexed ; seeds 

 2—4, not winged. (Name 

 from the Greek melas, black, 

 puros, wheat, the seeds being 

 said to make flour black when 

 ground and mixed with it.) 



I. M. cristdtum (Crested 

 Cow-wheat). — A handsome 

 plant, about a foot high, with 

 linear-lanceolate, entire leaves 

 and yellow flowers tipped with 

 purple, in dense, 4-sided spikes, 

 with cordate, toothed, ovate 

 bracts rose-coloured at the base, the lower ones recurved. — Woods 

 in eastern counties ; rare. — Fl. September, October. — Annual. 



2. M. arvense (Purple Cow-wheat). — Also a handsome species, 

 taller, with rosy flowers with a yellow throat and deep red lips, in 

 loose spikes with ovate-lanceolate, pinnatifid, rose-red bracts. — 

 Cornfields in the south-eastern counties ; very rare. — Fl. Jul)^, 

 August. Annual. 



3. M. pratense (Common Yellow Cow-wheat). — A slender 

 plant, about a foot high, with opposite pairs of straggling branches 



RHInAnTHUS CRfsTA-cXLLI 



(Cock's-cofftd, Yellozv-7-attle). 



