1 8 FLOWERS OF THE BOGS AND MARSHES 



stalks, and no bracts or leaf- like organs. The fruits are numerous, 

 crowded, angular. 



The plant is 2-3 ft. high, and flowers from July to September. It 

 is perennial, increased by stolons. 



As the first Greek name implies, the Water Dropwort (and others) 

 has a smell like wine, which helps to make it attractive to insects. 

 The outer flowers are male, and the plant is polygamous. The petals 

 are inflexed or turned inwards, the styles are long, erect, and armed 

 with points. It is arranged so that insects can cross-pollinate it. The 

 visitors are Stratiomys, Empis livida, E. rustica, Antkerix, Syritta 

 pipiens, Eristalis nemorum, E. arbustorum, E. sepulcralis, Luc ilia, 

 Trichius fasciatus, Macropis, Ileriades. The anthers and stigma 

 ripen together in some flowers which are complete in the centre. 



The fruits are flattened, angular, and furrowed, and so the more 

 readily dispersed by the wind, and being but slightly attached are easily 

 detached by it or by passing animals. 



This is one of the peat-loving plants that require a peaty soil in 

 which to flourish, and where the conditions are more or less perpetually 

 moist. 



A beetle, Lixus paraplecticus, a moth, Dcpressaria newosa, and a 

 fly, Simulium reptans, feed upon it. 



CEnanthc, Theophrastus, is from the Greek oinos, wine, anthos, 

 flower, and the second Latin name refers to its fistular character. It 

 is called Water Dropwort and Hemlock Dropwort. It is a poisonous 

 plant like Wild Celery, Fool's Parsley, and other umbellifers. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



128. CEnanthe fistulosa, L. Root fibrous, slender, with runners, 

 stem hollow, leaves pinnate, shorter than the petioles, which are fistular, 

 the lower ones flat, flowers white at first, pink, in few-rayed umbels, 

 fruit with rigid divergent or spreading styles. 



Valerian (Valeriana dioica, L.) 



Widespread as a marsh plant Valerian is found throughout the 

 North Temperate Zone in Europe generally. In Great Britain it is 

 found in Cornwall and S. Somerset in the Peninsula province; 

 throughout the whole of the Channel, Thames, Anglia, and Severn 

 provinces; in Glamorgan, Brecon, Montgomery, Carnarvon, Denbigh, 

 Flint, and Anglesea in Wales; in the whole of the Trent and Mersey 

 provinces, except in Mid Lanes; and in the H umber, Tyne, Lakes pro- 

 vinces, except in the Isle of Man. In Scotland it is found in Dum- 



