r$6 COROLLIFLOR^E 



C. Batatas is no less valuable in tropical countries, supplying 

 the sweet potato, the roots of which abound in starch and sugar, 

 and are a nourishing food. Cuscuta (Dodder) is a j arasitic genus, 

 with branched, climbing, cord-like stems, no leaves, and globular 

 heads of small wax-like flowers. The seeds germinate in the 

 ground, and the young plants climb the stems of the adjoining 

 plants ; and when they have taken root in them lese their connec- 

 tion with the ground. One British species is very abundant on the 

 Furze ; another on Flax, with the seeds of which it is supposed to 

 be introduced ; and a third grows on Thistles and Nettles. 



i. Convolvulus (Bindweed). Corolla trumpet-shaped, with 5 

 plaits and 5 very small lobes ; calyx without bracts ; style 1 ; 

 stigmas 2 ; capsule 2-celled, 2-valved. (Name from the Latin, 

 convolvo, to entwine, from the twisting habit of many species.) 



2. Calystegia (Bindweed). Corolla as in Convolvulus ; calyx 

 enclosed within 2 bracts ; style 1 ; stigmas 2 ; capsule i-celled, 

 2-valved. (Name in Greek, denoting a beautiful covering.) 



3. Cuscuta (Dodder). Calyx 4 to 5-cleft ; corolla bell-shaped, 

 4 to 5-cleft, with 4-5 scales at the base within. (Name said to be 

 (derived from the Arabic, Kechout.) 



1. Convolvulus {Bindweed) 



1. C. arvensis (Field Bindweed). Stem climbing ; leaves arrow- 

 shaped, with acute lobes ; flowers 1-3 together ; bracts minute, dis- 

 tant from the flower. A common weed in light soil, either trailing 

 along the ground among short grass, or climbing wherever it finds 

 a support. The flowers are rose-coloured with dark plaits, hand- 

 some and fragrant, opening only in sunny weather. Fl. June, July. 

 Perennial. 



2. Calystegia (Bindweed) 



1. C. sepium (Great Bindweed). Stem climbing ; leaves ariow- 

 shaped, with abrupt lobes ; flowers solitary on square stalks ; 

 bracts large, heart-shaped, close to the flower. The flowers are 

 among the largest which this country produces ; while in bud they 

 are entirely enclosed in the large bracts, and when expanded are 

 pure white and very handsome. The fruit is not often perfected 

 In bushy places, common ; and a most mischievous weed in gar- 

 dens, not only exhausting the soil with its roots, but strangling with 

 its twining stems the plants which grow near. Fl. July to Sep- 

 tember. Perennial. 



2. C. Soldanella (Sea Bindweed). Stem not climbing ; leaves 

 fleshy, roundish, or kidney-shaped ; flowers solitary, on 4-sided, 

 winged stalks ; bracts large, egg-shaped, close to the flower. A vry 





