204 BORAGINACEyE. 



mer and autumn, and there is a pleasing flesh-coloured variety. 

 Native of Britain. 



C. Soldanella {Sea C.) — A most distinct and pretty plant, 

 growing about i foot high, with round or kidney-shaped leaves, 

 having broadish lobes at the base. The flowers are large, 

 pale rose or pink, and open in June and July. Native of the 

 sandy coasts of the United Kingdom, and of like habitats in 

 many other countries of the different quarters of the earth. A 

 very good border-plant, succeeding best in light sandy soil. 



BORAGINACE.^. 



There are not many very valuable perennial herbaceous 

 plants in this order, notwithstanding it is almost entirely com- 

 posed of herbaceous species ; but there are a few species of 

 different genera worthy of cultivation in the most select collec- 

 tions — choice things a few of them, which no collection should 

 be without. Others, such as the larger Symphytums and 

 Anchicsas, are too coarse for the finer purposes of decoration, 

 but are very useful for introducing into woods and other rustic 

 situations, with a view to naturalismg them there. 



Anchusa {Alkanet). — A rather coarse-growing group, well 

 adapted for introducing and naturalising in semi-wild places, 

 as open stony banks and glades in woods, where, if once 

 established, they will take care of themselves. They are not 

 particular as to soil, and are easily propagated by division and 

 by seed. 



A. officinalis {Common Alkanet). — A short-lived perennial, 

 often biennial, but propagating itself freely from seed. It 

 grows about 2 feet high, the whole plant covered with the 

 rough bristly hairs so characteristic of this order. Leaves 

 usually broadly lance-shaped. Flowers in one-sided forked 

 spikes, and a peculiarly rich blue, appearing throughout sum- 

 mer and autumn. Native of Britain and other countries of 

 Europe, and the Caucasus. 



A. sempervirens (Ei'ergreen Alkanet). — The last is rather a 

 stiff erect plant. This one is more straggling, and reaches the 

 height of about 18 inches. The leaves are broad, egg-shaped, 

 and these and nearly every part of the plant are covered with 

 coarse bristles. Flowers in the same way, and similar in 

 colour to the last. Native of Britain and western Europe. 

 Though indigenous plants, neither of the two are common in 



