WOOD BETONY 85 



A fungus, Puccinia mentkce, attacks the leaves. 



A beetle, Meligethes lugubris, several Lepidoptera, Dark Brocade, 

 Hadena adusta, Tortnx dwnetana, Gelechia subocellea, Pterophorus 

 tetradactylus, Pyrausta punicealis, Purple and Gold Moth, Nothris 

 durdkamella, Coleophora albitarsella, visit it. 



Origanum, Theophrastus, is from the Greek oros, hill, and ganos, 

 joy, and the second Latin name indicates its general occurrence, 

 which is a mistake, as it is rather local. 



This plant is named Argans, Marjoram, English Marjoram, Orga- 

 ment, Organ, Organy, Pot Marjoram. 



The dried leaves have been used for tea and in fomentations. Mar- 

 joram yields an essential oil, which is acrid, caustic, and highly aromatic. 

 Marjoram has been used for toothache. The plant has also been used 

 by farriers. A purple dye for wool has been obtained from it, and 

 linen has been dyed reddish-brown with it. It has a pungent taste, 

 like Thyme. It was put in beer to make it intoxicating. The tea has 

 been used in cases of stomach weakness and breast troubles. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



249. Origanum vulgare, L. Stem erect, branched, leaves serrate, 

 ovate, purple, bracts exceeding the purple flowers in a crowded 

 panicled cyme. 



Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis, Trev.) 



Wood Betony is found throughout the Temperate Northern Zone 

 in Europe, N. Africa, and W. Siberia, but has not been met with in 

 early deposits. In Great Britain it grows in the Peninsula, Channel, 

 Thames, Anglia, and Severn provinces; in S. \Vales generally except 

 in Radnor; in N. Wales generally except in Montgomery, Merioneth; 

 throughout the Trent province, Mersey, Humber, Tyne, and Lakes pro- 

 vinces except the Isle of Man; in the West Lowlands except Peebles, 

 Selkirk, Haddington; and in Micl and E. Perth; in E. Highlands, 

 in the N. Ebudes, in the W. Highlands. It ranges thus from Skye 

 and Ross southwards, but it is rare in Scotland and Ireland. In 

 Northumberland it is found at 1200 ft. 



The name Wood Betony indicates the chief habitat of this species. 

 It certainly loves the shade and is at home in woods, but it is frequent 

 by the roadside, and is also found on heaths and commons with Grassy 

 Stitchwort, Tormentil, Furze, &c. 



The stem is erect, simple, square, with blunt angles, rough, with 

 rigid bristles, turned back, and bent. The radical leaves are on long 



