1 40 FLOWERS OF THE CORNFIELDS 



The many rows of silky pappus or hair assist in the dispersal of the 

 achenes by the wind. 



Corn Sow-Thistle is a sand plant, fond of sand soil or sandy loam, 

 growing on the sandy portions of the Triassic and Liassic forma- 

 tions, &c. 



The fungi Puccinia soncki, Coleosporium sonc/ii, ^Ecidium soncki, 

 Bremia lactuctz all attack it. 



The three moths, Hecatera serena, July Chi (Polia cki], Shark 

 (Cucullia umbratica\ and two flies, Eusina soncki, J^ephritis tessellata, 

 are found on it. 



The name Sonckus, of Theophrastus, is from the Greek name of 

 the plant, sonckos, and said to be from the Greek soos, safe, and eckein, 

 to have, because it yields a health-giving juice. The second Latin 

 name proclaims its preference for cultivated ground. 



The names Dindle, Gutweed, Hogweed, Rosemary, Swine Thistle, 

 Tree Sow Thistle are also given to Corn Sow-Thistle. Gutweed is 

 applied to it because of its long creeping roots, which wind about. 



In Russia they say the plant belongs to the Devil. Like the Evil 

 Spirit in northern mythology it is spoken of sometimes as sowing 

 weeds amongst the good seed, from whence has originated, it is said, 

 the popular saying, "Sowing one's wild oats". It was believed to 

 reveal hidden treasure when appealed to, possibly because of its golden 

 flowers and heliotropic property. Rabbits and hares are especially fond 

 of it, hence their occurrence in cornfields. Goats, sheep, and pigs eat it. 



The young tender leaves are eaten as greens and as spinach. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



184. Sonchus arvensis, L. Stem tall, simple, leaves runcinate, 

 toothed, upper entire, long, flowerheads large, yellow, in corymb, 

 peduncles and involucres glandular, hairy. 



Venus's Looking Glass (Legousia hybrida, Delarbre) 



This local elusive species is found south of Holland, and in N. 

 Africa in the North Temperate Zone. In Great Britain it is found in 

 the Peninsula province, except in N. Devon, and in the Channel pro- 

 vince; in the Thames, Anglia, and Severn provinces, except in Mon- 

 mouth ; in the Trent province, except in N. Lines and Notts; and 

 in the Humber province, in Durham, and Hacldington. Watson 

 regards it as scarcely a true colonist. It occurs in the north from 

 Durham to Cornwall and Kent, chiefly in the eastern counties. It is 

 an introduction in Scotland. 



