66 CALYCIFLOR^ 



2. Genista (Green-weed) 



i. G. Anglica (Needle Green-weed, or Petty Whin). Stems 

 thorny and leafless below ; leaves narrow, smooth ; legumes smooth, 

 inflated. A low shrub, about a foot high, with reclining tough 

 stems, which are armed at intervals with groups of slender, very 

 sharp thorns. The upper branches are destitute of thorns, and 

 produce leafy clusters of yellow flowers, which are remarkable for 

 turning green in drying. Fl. May, June. Shrub. 



2. G. tinctoria (Dyer's Green-weed, Woad-waxen). Thornless ; 

 leaves narrow, acute, nearly smooth ; flowers forming short racemes, 

 each springing from the axil of a bract ; legumes flattened, smooth. 

 A low shrub about a foot high, with tough stems, bright green 

 foliage, and yellow flowers on short stalks. It grows in heathy 

 places and fields, varying considerably in luxuriance according to 

 situation, and is used to dye yarn a yellow colour. Fl. July, August. 

 Shrub. 



3. G. pilosa (Hairy Green-weed). Thornless ; leaves narrow, ob- 

 tuse, the lower ones often inversely heart-shaped, silky beneath ; 

 flowers axillary, on short stalks ; legumes downy. A low shrub, 

 with prostrate stems, which are gnarled and much branched, and 

 small yellow flowers. Heathy places, rare. Fl. May, and again in 

 the autumn. Shrub. 



3. Sarothamnus (Broom) 



1. 5. scoparius (Common Broom). The only British species, well 

 distinguished by its slender, erect, angled branches, with small, 

 scattered leaves, the lower ones stalked and occurring in threes, the 

 upper ones sessile and usually single. Flowers large, yellow, 1 or 2 

 together in the leaf axils. Legumes when ripe nearly black, and 

 hairy at the margin. Fl. June. Shrub. Also known as Cytisus 

 scoparius. 



4. Ononis (Rest-harrow) 



I. 0. arvensis (Common Rest-harrow). Stem shrubby, hairy ; 

 leaflets oblong ; flowers axillary ; calyx much shorter than the 

 corolla. A very variable plant, sometimes spreading on the ground 

 and rooting at the joints ; at other times forming a small leafy bush. 

 The roots are tough and very long, hence the English name. The 

 branches often terminate in thorns ; the leaves are viscid ; the 

 flowers of a bright rose-colour, and handsome. Barren, sandy 

 places, common, especially near the sea. Fl. all the summer. 

 Perennial. 



Several more or less distinct forms occur which have been vari- 

 ously classed as species and varieties, but they scarcely come 

 within the scope of the present work. 



