THALAMIFLOR.E 



9. Helleborus {Hellebore) 



1. H. viridis (Green Helle- 

 bore, Bear's - foot). Leaves 

 digitate ; sepals spreading ; 

 petals tubular, shorter than 

 the calyx, containing honey 

 which is said to be poisonous. 

 A coarse, herbaceous plant, re- 

 markable for the light green 

 hue of its flowers. Height 

 i2-i8inches. Fl. March, April. 

 Perennial. 



Helleborus Viridis 

 (Green Hellebore) 



2. H. fcetidus (Stinking Helle- 

 bore, Setter-wort). Leaves pe- 

 date ; sepals converging. Best 

 distinguished from the preced- 

 ing by its evergreen leaves, 

 which are not divided to a com- 

 mon centre, and by the purple 

 hue of its sepals. Fl. March, 

 April. Perennial. 



These two species may possi- 

 bly be natives of one or two of 

 the southern counties of Eng- 

 land ; but they are generally 

 considered naturalized garden 

 escapes. Both are found on cal- 

 careous soils, and both are remarkable for their large green sepals 

 and for the large tubular petals, in whose honey small flies may 

 sometimes be found caught. Closely allied with this genus is 

 the common garden flower, Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite), 

 a pretty little plant, with yellow flowers and glossy leaves, appear- 

 ing very early in spring. 



10. Aquilegia {Columbine) 



1. A. vulgaris (Common Columbine). The only British species, 

 common in gardens, to which it is in spring very ornamental, 

 with its delicate folded leaves, and no less so in summer, with its 

 gracefully borne flowers, of curious shape and many delicate 

 shades of colour. When growing wild its flowers are blue, white, 

 or dull purple. It may be distinguished from all other British 

 flowers by having each of its five petals terminated in an in- 

 curved hornlike spur. It derives its English name, Columbine, 

 from the fancied resemblance of its flowers to a nest of doves, 

 columba being the Latin for a dove. Open woods. Fl. June, 

 July. Perennial. 



