i 34 FLOWERS OF THE ROADSIDES AND HEDGES 



of anthocyan or red colouring matter, as in many moisture-loving 



plants. 



It may be recognized by the above characters, and the small yellow 

 flowers (J in. in diameter), which grow in loose racemes, with pods, 

 either closely united throughout or slightly spreading. The pods have 



an awl-shaped point and 

 are square, and are broader 

 than the flower-stalks. It 

 grows to a height of 2 ft. 

 The flowering stage lasts 

 from May to August. The 

 plant appears to be bien- 

 nial, not perennial, as usu- 

 ally stated. 



On each side of the 

 two shorter stamens (there 

 are six stamens altogether), 

 at the base of the sepals, 

 there is a small fleshy, 

 green honey - gland, and 

 between each longer pair 

 a larger gland, external to 

 their base, and also where 

 the short stamens are abor- 

 tive or functionless. In 

 fine weather a drop of 

 liquid (colourless) may be 

 seen on each of the stamens. 

 The anthers are situated 

 irrespective of the position 

 of the honey-glands. The 

 longer stamens make a 

 revolution of 90 degrees 



towards the short stamens, and exceed the stigma, from the time when 

 the anthers open after the flower expands till the anther is completely 

 covered on one side with pollen. The two short anthers on a level with 

 the stigma are still turned towards it after opening, and the anthers are 

 placed as in Water Cress, while the glands are as many as in N. sylvestre. 

 Winter Cress is dispersed by its own agency. When the pods are 

 dry they become tense and burst, and the light seeds are scattered to 

 some distance. 



WINTER CRESS (Barbarea vulgaris, Ait.) 



