44 



THALAMIFLOR^ 



7. Holosteum (Jagged Chickweed) 



t. H. umbellatum (Umbelliferous Jagged Chick- 

 weed). A singular little plant, 4-5 inches high, 

 with leafy stems, which are smooth below and 

 hairy and viscid between the joints above. The 

 flowers grow in terminal umbrels about 5 together, 

 and are bent back after flowering, rising again 

 when the capsule ripens. Petals white. Very 

 rare ; found only on old walls, etc., in Norfolk 

 and Suffolk. Fi. April. Annual. 



8. Stei.laria (Stitchwort) 



1. S. aquatica (Water Stellaria or Water Mouse- 

 ear Chickweed). Lower leaves stalked ; upper 



<I_Ay sessile, heart-shaped, tapering to a point, all 

 hairy at the margin ; capsule opening with 5 

 2 -cleft teeth. A much -branched, straggling 

 plant, with white flowers in the angles of the 

 stems, and in habit approaching Stellaria 

 ncmorum. Wet places, but not general. Fl. July, 

 August. Perennial. 



2. S. nemorum (Wood Starwort). Stems as- 

 cending, 6-12 inches high ; leaves heart-shaped. 



Flowers white, in loose cymes ; petals deeply cloven. Damp 

 woods, chiefly in the north. Fl. summer. Perennial. 



3. S. media (Chickweed). Leaves egg-shaped, with a short point ; 

 stems with a hairy line alternating from side to side ; petals deeply 

 2-cleft, not longer than the sepals ; stamens usually 10, sometimes 5. 

 Leaves succulent ; flowers small, white. Well distinguished by a 

 hairy line which runs up one side of the stem, and when it reaches 

 a pair of leaves is continued on the opposite side. Abundant as a 

 garden weed, in waste plaees and by roadsides. Fl. all the year 

 round. Annual. 



4. S. uliginosa (Bog Stitchwort). Stems spreading, angular ; 

 leaves broadly lanceolate, with a stiff tip, smooth ; flowers panicled ; 

 petals deeply 2-cleft, shorter than the 3-nerved sepals, which are 

 united at the base. A slender plant 6-12 inches long, with very 

 small white flowers. Fl. May, June. Annual. 



5. 5. graminea (Lesser Stitchwort). Stem nearly erect, angular, 

 smooth ; leaves very narrow, acute, smooth-edged ; flowers in forked 

 panicles ; petals very deeply cleft, scarcely longer than the 3-nerved 

 sepals. Much smaller than the preceding in all its parts, and dis- 

 tinguished at once by the very deeply divided petals, which are 

 white but not so showy. Dry heathy places, roadsides, etc., com- 

 mon. Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



Holosteum 



Umbellatum 



( Umbelliferous 



Jagged Chickweed) 



