WOOD LOOSESTRIFE 71 



has no limb, and is divided into 5 or 6 egg-shaped segments, with 

 small yellow glands in the mouth, between the anther-stalks, which are 

 distinct, not united, and smooth. The capsule is 5-valved, globular, 

 and contains numerous round, flat seeds. 



The plant is rarely more than 3 in. in height. The flowers are in 

 bloom from May till July. Wood Loosestrife is a perennial, which can 

 be propagated by division, and is worth cultivating. 



In this the stamens and style are included, as in Yellow Loosestrife. 

 The yellow monopetalous or tubular corolla has no limb, but glands 



Photo. J. H. Crabtree 



WOOD LOOSESTRIFE (Lysimachia nemorum, L.) 



between the anther-stalks at the base, where it is brighter yellow. 

 The stamens are erect and thicker in the middle, the anthers are 

 oblong and rather prostrate, rising up at the end, the whole flower is 

 less campanulate or bell-shaped, and more like that of a pimpernel. The 

 style is club-shaped and threadlike, and the stigmas simple. Growing 

 in woods it is little visited by insects, as there is no honey, and if so it is 

 easily accessible, while self-pollination can readily occur without insects. 



The capsule splits open by 5 valves, and the seeds are numerous, 

 and dispersed by the shaking of the capsule by the wind. 



This is a clay-loving plant, and addicted to a clayey soil, but it also 

 requires some amount of humus. 



The first botanical name is the Greek for loosestrife, and the 

 second Latin name refers to its habitat in groves or woods. 



The only English name is Yellow Pimpernel. 



