VALERIANACE^E. VALERIAN TRIBE. 309 



SHERARDIA ARVENSis (Field Madder). 



4. SHERARDIA (Field Madder). 



1. AS', arvensis (Field Madder). A small plant, with 

 branched spreading stems, narrow, pointed leaves, in 

 whorls of about 6 each, and minute bluish pink flowers, 

 which form a small umbel in the bosom of the terminal 

 leaves. Abundant in cultivated land. Fl. June 

 August. Annual. 



ORD. XLIV. VALEKIANACE^. THE VALERIAN 

 TRIBE. 



Calyx superior, finally becoming a border, or pappus, 

 to the fruit ; corolla tubular, 3 6-lobed, sometimes 

 irregular and spurred at the base ; stamens 1 5, in- 

 serted into the tube of the corolla ; ovary with 1 3 

 cells ; fruit dry, crowned with the calyx, not bursting, 

 1 -seeded, two of the cells being empty. Herbaceous 

 plants, with opposite leaves, often strong-scented or 

 aromatic, inhabiting temperate countries, especially the 

 north of India, Europe, and South America. Many of 



