BROOKLIME 121 



Brooklime grows to a height of 2 ft. Flowers are at their best in May 

 and June. The plant is a herbaceous perennial, propagated by division. 



The flowers are proterogynous, the stigma ripening first, and like 

 V. Cham&drys in the position of nectaries and contrivance for sheltering 

 and indicating pollen. The position of the stamens and pistil regulates 

 the pollination and possibility of self-pollination. The stigma is mature 

 before the flower opens, and has long papillae, which adhere to the 

 pollen, but the anthers have not yet opened. The stamens and style 

 project from the flower and form an alighting place for insects. They 



Photo. J. H. Crabtrec 



BROOKLIME {Veronica Beccabutiga, L.) 



are only partly expanded in dull weather, and the anthers are quite 

 close to the stigma, and this leads to self-pollination. 



The petals are wide open in the sun, in one plane more or less. 

 The stamens become widely spreading, and the anthers are far from 

 the stigma before they open. The plant is much visited by insects, 

 especially a fly, Syritta pipiens. The fly touches the anthers and 

 stigma with different parts of its body, and both cross- and self-pollina- 

 tion result. It touches the stigma with the abdomen, which is pre- 

 viously covered with pollen. 



Brooklime is visited by Syritta, Ascia, Eristalis, Scatophaga, 

 Honey Bee, Andrena, Halictus. 



The capsule, which is rounded, is turgid, and adapted for distribu- 

 tion by water. 



