48 FLOWERS OF THE WOODS AND COPSES 



between the valves and along the centre, the seeds being attached to 

 the axis. They are very small, oblong, brown, with a tuft of long, 

 white, silky hairs at the upper end, which serve as a parachute. 



Rosebay is a rock-loving plant, growing on barren stony hillsides, 

 or it may be a sand-loving plant, growing on a sand soil, such as the 

 sandy beds of the Lias or Keuper Marl. 



The fungus which infests the Rosebay is called Melampsora 

 pustidata. 



The Rosebay is galled by Hormomyia fasciata, Laverna decorella. 

 The beetles Cercus bipustulatus, Haltica lythri, H . cleracea, H. pusilla ; 

 the Hymenopterous insect Tenthredo colon; the Lepidoptera, The 

 Mouse, Amphipyra tragopogonis, Small Phcenix Moth, Cidaria sila- 

 ceata, Laverna substrigillata\ the Homoptera Cidadula dahlbomii, 

 Aphalara nebulosa; and the Heteropterous insect Dicyphus Epilobii 

 feed on the Rosebay in one way or another. 



Epilobium, Gesner, is from the Greek epi, on, lobos, a pod, because 

 the flower apparently grows upon a lobe, and the second Latin name 

 refers to the narrow leaves. 



This plant is known by the name of Rosebay, Bay-willow, Blood 

 Vine, Blooming Sally, Cat's Eyes, Persian Willow, Tame Withy, 

 Blooming, French, and Rosebay Willow, Bay Willow Herb. 



Rosebay was called Tame Withy because it was frequently grown 

 in gardens, and because of its willow-like leaves. 



This handsome plant is called Rosebay because the leaves are like 

 laurel and the flowers purple like a rose. It was named Blood Vine 

 because the whole plant has a red appearance. In Ireland, " Sally " 

 in the name Blooming Sally is a corruption for the Latin Salix. 



The Rosebay finds a place in the garden, the established plant 

 differing from the wild one. It used to be employed to adulterate tea, 

 and was boiled also as a vegetable, the young shoots being eaten as 

 asparagus. They are fermented to make beer in Kamschatka, and 

 made especially intoxicating with a toadstool, Agaricus muscarius, the 

 Fly Agaric. The down has been mixed with cotton and fur to make 

 stockings and other clothing. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



1 1 8. Epilobium angiistifolium, L.- Stem tall, erect, terete, leaves 

 scattered, lanceolate, acute, alternate, flowers rose-pink, in a raceme, 

 irregular, stamens and style bending ultimately. 



