450 OROBANCHACE^l. 



joined to a difference of situation, enough to constitute 

 a specific distinction. 



1. OROBANCH^ (Broom-rape). Calyx of two lateral 

 sepals, which are usually 2-cleft, and often combined in 

 front, with 1 3 bracts at the base ; corolla gaping, 

 4 5-cleft, not falling off. (Name from the Greek, 

 orobos, a vetch, and ancho, to strangle, from the injurious 

 effects produced in the plants to which they attach them- 

 selves.) 



2.LAraELEA(Tooth-wort). Calyx bell-shaped, 4-cleft; 

 corolla gaping, 2-lipped, the upper lip archecl, entire, 

 not falling off. (Name in Greek signifying concealed, 

 from* the humble growth of the plants among dead 

 leaves.) 



1. OROBANCH (Broom-rape). 

 * Bracts one to each flower. 



1. 0. major (Greater Broom-rape). Corolla tubular, 

 the lower lip in 3 lobes, of which the middle one is blunt 

 and longer than the others ; stamens smooth below, 

 downy above ; style downy. On the roots of Furze, 

 Broom, and other plants of the order Leguminosce, fre- 

 quent. A stout, leafless, club-like plant, much swollen at 

 the base, of a reddish-brown hue, viscid and clothed with 

 tapering scales, which pass into bracts as they ascend the 

 stem. The flowers are of a pinkish-brown hue, and 

 are crowded into a dense spike. The juice is bitter and 

 astringent, and has been used medicinally. Fl. June, 

 July. Perennial. 



2. 0. minor (Lesser Broom-rape). Stamens hairy 

 below, smooth above ; style nearly smooth. Under this 

 description are included several species, or varieties, 

 which are parasitical severally on Clover, Ivy, and Sea- 

 Carrot. They all resemble the last in habit, but are of 

 smaller size. 



r To this group belong 0. caryophylldcea (Clove- 

 scented Broom-rape), a species with hairy stamens, and 



