BRITISH PHANEROGAMIC PARASITIC PLANTS. 168 
give rise to the idea expressed by some that the seeds lie dormant in 
the ground for several years, or they may actually do so; the seed 
being so minute it is difficult to find out. 
It is a true root parasite, deriving all its carbonaceous substances 
from the host, to which it is firmly fixed by means of haustoria; 
but, as it produces a few short roots, it may take up some mineral 
matter from the soil. The union between these plants and the host 
is very complete, and it requires most careful examination to discover 
the limit between parasite and host. 
The seedling is thread-like similar to the Dodder, but not coming 
above ground to find a host. It attaches itself to any handy suitable 
root by means of the haustoria. It developes a knotty tuber upon 
which a bud is produced. From thisa fleshy stem grows in the third 
or fourth year, and the flowers and seeds are ultimately produced. 
It has also another method of reproduction, that is, the formation of 
new tubers in Autumn, ready to come into flower the following year, 
much after the same plan as our common Orchids. This must be of 
great service to the plant as the process of reproduction from seed is. 
so slow. If this plant once gets established in a field of red clover it 
is very difficult to eradicate it before it has done considerable mischief. 
If only a small patch is seen it should be dug out and burned. It 
should on no account be allowed to flower and produce its large 
quantity of minute seeds, as it would then probably spread to an 
alarming extent in a few years. If in large quantity, only ploughing 
up the clover field and planting it with some crop unfavourable to its 
growth will eradicate the pest. 
Latur®a SquamariA (Toothwort) is very closely allied to 
Orobanche in habit and general construction. It has, however, 
several well marked differences. It is much smaller than any 
Orobanche. The root is formed of loose scales or plates overlapping 
each other. This probably gives rise to the English name, as this 
root stock has a fanciful resemblance to a row of teeth. The flower 
