12 FLOWERS OF THE FIELDS AND MEADOWS 



Pilewort is a typical clay-loving plant, requiring a clay soil, gene- 

 rally derived from older rocks, and furnished by granite and schistose 

 formations as well as later Carboniferous and Triassic formations. 



The orange cluster-cups of the small fungus Uromyces boce grow on 

 the leaves of this plant, being the second phase of the fungus, which 

 grows on various grasses. Other fungi which infest it are Peronospora 

 FicarifE and Entoloma Ranunculi. 



The moth Flame Brocade (Phlogophora empyrea or Trigonophora 

 flamrnea) infests it in the caterpillar stage. 



Ficaria was proposed as a genus by Brunfels in allusion to its 

 supposed cure of piles (Latin ficus, a fig). Celandine is the name 

 given (from Greek chelidon) from its blossoming when the swallow 

 arrives. 



In English it is called Bright Eye, Celiclony, Grain, Crazy, Crow 

 Pightle, Figwort, Foalfoot, Gilding- cup, Gilty Cup, Golden Cup, 

 Golden Guineas, Goldy Knob, King-cup, Marsh Pilewort, Paigle, 



Pilewort. 



There's a flower that shall be mine 



Tis the little Celandine. WORDSWORTH. 



The Lesser Celandine is not so acrid as the other species. The 

 leaves have indeed been employed as a potherb. The roots are, 

 however, . acrid and bitter. By the law of signatures it was recom- 

 mended as a remedy for piles. Pigeons are said to eat the 

 tubers. 



The tubers lie near the surface, and when exposed by rains their 

 appearance gave rise to the notion that the atmosphere had rained 

 wheat. In Sweden the plant is used in place of cabbage. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



10. Ranunculus Ficaria, L. i cotyledon, root knob-like, leaves 

 reniform, cordate, radical, shining, entire, flowers yellow, 3 sepals, 9 

 petals, achenes smooth, obtuse, globose. 



Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis, L.) 



Nothing is known of the early distribution or occurrence of this 

 plant. To-day it is found in the Arctic and Northern Temperate 

 Zone, in Arctic and Subarctic regions. A closely-allied species has 

 been met with in Australasia and in Tasmania. This well-known and 

 well-beloved plant is known under one name or another in every 

 county in Great Britain, and also in Ireland, and in Scotland, and it 

 rises to a height of 3200 ft. 



