262 UMBELLIFER.E. 



(Least Marsh-wort) has the lower leaves finely divided 

 into numerous hair-like segments. The umbels usually 

 have only two rays of small white flowers, and, with the 

 upper leaves, are the only parts of the plant which rise 

 out of the water. 



10. SISON (Stone Parsley). 



1. S. Amomum (Hedge Stone Parsley). The only 

 species. Damp chalky places. A slender plant, 2 3 

 feet high, with a wiry, branched stem, and pinnate, cut 

 leaves, the leaflets of the upper ones being very narrow. 

 The general umbels consist of about 4 rays, with 2 4 

 bracts at the base ; the partial umbels are small, and 

 have 4 bracts at the base of each; the flowers are 

 cream-coloured and very small. The whole plant has a 

 nauseous smell. Fl. August. Biennial. 



11. ^EGOPODIUM (Gout-weed). 



1. jE. Potfagraria (Common Gout- weed). A common 

 and very troublesome garden weed, with a creeping root, 

 large, thrice ternate leaves, and white flowers. The 

 stems grow about a foot high. The leaves are sometimes 

 boiled and eaten, but have a strong and very disagree- 

 able flavour. Fl. May, June. Perennial. 



12. CARUM (Caraway). 



1. C. Carui (Common Caraway). A doubtful native, 

 but occasionally growing wild in several parts of Great 

 Britain. The root is spindle-shaped, the stem is much 

 branched, about 2 feet high, the leaves twice pinnate, 

 with leaflets cut into very narrow segments ; ihe flowers 

 are white, and grow in rather large umbels, with rarely 

 more than one bract, and that at the base of the general 

 umbel. The seeds are too well known to need any 

 description. Fl. June. Biennial. 



* C. verticillatum (Whorled Caraway) is a smaller 

 plant with pinnate leaves, the leaflets of which are 

 divided to the base into very numerous hair-like seg- 



