RAGGED ROBIN 



J 9 



pollen is conveyed to the proboscis owing to the crowded corolla- 

 mouth. The stamens next elongate and bend, so that they lie in the 

 space between the petals, and the inner whorls occupy the middle. 

 When they wither the five styles arise under the stigmatic papillae. 

 The styles move as far as the entrance, making i^ or 2 spiral 

 twists. 



The visitors are Hymenoptera (Apidae), Lepidoptera, Diptera 

 (Syrphidae). 



Like other species 

 Ragged Robin is dis- 

 persed by the wind. The 

 capsule opens above, and 

 allows animals or the 

 wind to cause the seeds 

 to be flung to a distance 

 when the stem is shaken. 



The plant is fond of 

 peat, living only in a wet, 

 peaty soil, which is found 

 in low-lying districts or 

 meadows. 



It is infested by a 

 fungus, Ustilago violacea, 

 one of the rusts and 

 smuts. The other species 

 of Lychnis are infested 

 by Pink Rust, Puccinia 

 arcnarifz, Ascochyta Di- 

 anthL Puccinia lychni- 

 dcarnni. Two moths, the 

 White Spot (Dianthcecia 

 albi macula} and the Marbled Coronet (D. conspersa), visit it. 



Flos-cuculi, Tragus, was once a generic name, and is Latin for 

 Cuckoo-flower. Ragged Robin is known by the names of Bachelor's 

 Buttons, Meadow Campion, Cock's-caim, Cock's-comb, Crow -flower, 

 Fair Maicl of France, Cuckoo Gilliflower, Indian Pink, Marsh-gilliflower, 

 Meadow Pink, Pleasant-in-sight, Ragged Jack, Ragged Robin, Robin 

 Hood, Rough Robin, Meadow Spink, Wild Williams. The name 

 Cuckoo Gilliflower was given in allusion to its flowering in spring, and 

 its resemblance to a Gilliflower. Meadow Spink is given because its 

 flowers resemble those of Dianthus plumarius. 



RAGGED ROBIN (Lychnis Flos-cuculi, L.) 



