WATER PLANTAIN TK1RE 293 



leaves, and flowers which in some respects resemble the Crowfoot 

 Tribe. Like the Crowfoots, too, they contain an acrid juice, 

 though the roots of some species, deprived of their acridity by dry- 

 ing, are said to be used as food. 



1. Ai.isma (Water-Plantain). Flowers containing both stamens 

 ind pistils ; stamens 6 ; carpels numerous, i-seeded. (Name, the 

 Greek name of the plant, and that said to be derived from the 

 Celtic, alts, water.) 



2. AcTCNOCARPUS (Star-fruit). Like Alisma, except that the 

 carpels are 2-seeded, and spread in a radiate manner. (Name in 

 Greek having the same meaning as the I b name.) 



3. Sagittaria (Arrow-head). Stamens and pistils in separate 

 flowers (mon lamens nui carpels numerous, 

 1 eeded. (Name from the Latin t, an arrow, from the shape 

 ot the leaves.) 



1. Alisma [Water-Plantain) 



1. A. plant ago (Great Wal itain). Leaves all from the root, 

 broad below, and tapering to a point ; flowers in a compound, 

 whorled pant A stout, herbaceous plant, 2-3 feet high, with 

 large, stalked leaves, ribbed like those of a Plantain, and a li 



whorled panicle of lilac flowers, the 3 of which are very 



delicate and soon fall off. Margins of rivers, lakes, and ponds; 

 common. Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



2. A. ranunculoides (Lesser Wal r-Plantain). Leaves narrow, 

 and tapering at both en Is : .' vers in umbels. Much smaller than 

 the last, and well marked by the above chara as well as by 



its larger flowers. Peaty bogs ; not uncommon. 



3. A. natans (Floating Water-Plantain). Stems leafy and flo 



b rs solitary, white, with a yellow spot. Found onlv in 



mountain lakes. 



2. ACTINOCARPUS {Star-fruit) 



1. A. Damasonium (Common Star-fruit). The only British 

 species. An aquatic plant, with the habits of a Water-Plantain. 

 The leaves grow on long stalks and float on the surface of the 

 water ; the flowers, which g r ow in whorls, are white, with a yellow 

 spot at the base of each petal ; the fruit is composed of six pointed 

 carpels, which are arranged in the form of a star. Ditches in the 

 midland counties ; not common. Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



3. Sagittaria (Arrow-head) 



1. S. sagittifolia (Common Arrow-head). The only British 

 species. A pretty plant, well distinguished by its larpe arrow- 



