WATER PLANTAIN 



plant, especially when alighting in the middle, and when alighting on the 

 petals the former result is also more probable from the relative position 

 of the parts. The anthers open externally, and are directed upwards 

 and outwards. Honey half- concealed is secreted in 12 drops at the 

 base of the stamens in the ring formed by the anther-stalks, and one 

 opposite each anther-stalk, 



and one in each interval. WHiifW^^^^^ -T'^rP I '' 



The flies make a tour 

 of these drops and get 

 thoroughly dusted with 

 pollen in the process. 

 The plant is visited by 

 flies, Eristalis sepulchra- 

 lis, Syritta pipiens, Ascia 

 podagrica, Melanostoma 

 mellina, Melithreptus. 



The carpels when 

 ripe fall to the ground 

 or water and are so dis- 

 persed. 



This handsome plant 

 is aquatic or terrestrial. 

 It grows on sandy loam 

 or silt, alluvium, &c. 



A fungus, Doassansia 

 alismalis, is found to attack 

 it. Two beetles, Donacia 

 menyanthidis, Hydrono- 

 mus alismalis, three moths, 

 The Dog's Tooth (Hadena 



suasa], Gold Spot (Plusia festuca}, Tortrix viburnana, are found 

 on it. 



Alisma, Pliny, is ultimately connected with the Greek hats, salt, 

 and the second Latin name means water plantain, Plant ago being a 

 name given by Pliny. 



This plant is called Deil's Spoons, Great Thrum wort. It causes 

 blisters applied externally, and is bitter. It is injurious to cattle. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



314. Alisma Plant ago- aquatic a, L. Scape tall, branched, leaves 

 radical, erect, lanceolate, petiolate, flowers pink in whorls, fruit com- 

 pressed. 



Photo. J. H. Crabtrcc 



WATER PLANTAIN (Alisma Plantago-aquatica, L.) 



