66 FLOWERS OF THE WOODS AND COPSES 



Like other Rubiaceae, this choice flower has its leaves (these are 

 sensitive to light, green in the shade, turning yellow in the strong light 

 in the open) arranged in verticels or whorls, the upper whorls con- 

 taining 6-9, the lower 2-6 leaves, which are lance-shaped, abrupt, with 

 a point, with rough margins, the prickles directed forward. The rough 

 character is indicated in the first Latin name, the scent in the second. 

 The stems are more or less simple, square, erect, furrowed, and 

 smooth. 



The flowers are fairly large and sweet-scented, in terminal corymbs, 

 devoid of leaves, depressed, and conspicuous. The fruits are borne on 

 flower-stalks, are small, roughly hairy, with hooked hairs which catch 

 in the wool of animals and are spine-like in character. 



Woodruff is usually not more than i foot high. The flowers begin 

 to scent the woods in May continuing right up to June. It is a 

 perennial herbaceous plant propagated by division. 



The flowers resemble those of A. cynanchica (Squinancy Wort), in 

 the floral arrangement and the length of the tube. Woodruff is visited 

 by the hive bee, as well as by beetles, flies, and moths. Being con- 

 spicuous and sweet- smelling its sylvan habitat is thus counteracted by 

 other advantages. 



The fruits are roughly hairy, and dispersed by animals, or fall 

 around the parent plant. 



This is a woodland plant, and a humus-loving plant growing in 

 humus soil, of which there is a thick covering in the form of mould 

 in most woods. 



The plant is infested by Peronospora calotheca, Pseudopeziza re- 

 panda, Puccinia galii. 



The moths Speckled Footman (Eurydice cribrum], Flame (Cidaria 

 rubidata] feed upon it. 



Asperula, Dodonaeus, is from the Latin asper, rough, and the 

 second name (Latin) refers to its smell. The latter part of the name 

 Woodruff is supposed to represent a root meaning fragrant. The plant 

 is called Sweet Grass, Scented or Sweet Hair-hoof, Hay Plant, Mug- 

 wet, Petty Mugwet, Rock-wood, Star Grass, Woodrip, Woodrowe, 

 Woodruff. The name Star Grass is applied on account of the whorled 

 leaves. 



It was used for decorating churches on St. Barnabas's Day. It 

 was said to have formed the Virgin's bed. The name was written 

 and spelt as a couplet 



woodde 

 rowffe. 



