1 4 



FLOWERS OF ROCKS, WALLS, ETC. 



The style is not marked, the stigma pin- headed. There are numerous 

 seeds. When it is wet and at night the flowers hang down. 



This is a diminutive plant, the scape not being more than 3-5 in. 

 high. The first Latin name was given in allusion to its early flower- 

 ing, viz. March to April. It is an annual. 



Between the base of the short and long stamens, which are ad- 

 jacent, there are 4 small, fleshy, green honey-glands. Anthers and 

 stigma ripen together. The longer stamens reach the level of the 

 stigma, and closely surround it, opening towards it and dusting it with 

 pollen, and the shortest stamens also, but they are below it. The 



Photo Flatters & Garnett 



VERNAL WHITLOW GRASS (Erophila venia, E. Meyer) 



insect's head is placed between the stigma and shorter stamens, and 

 is covered with pollen, and in transferring it to another flower cross- 

 pollination follows. Cross-pollination is brought about by the short 

 stamens, and the four longer regularly cause self-pollination, which is 

 effective. The flowers are not conspicuous, and insects seldom visit 

 it. The visitors are the Honey-bee, Andrena panmla^ Halictiis. 



The plant is dispersed by its own agency. The pods w r hen dry be- 

 come tense, and disperse the numerous small seeds to no great distance. 



Vernal Grass is a sand-loving plant, and requires a sand soil with 

 no humus. 



A beetle, Ceuthorhynchus hirtulus, causes galls, but there are no 

 other insect pests. 



Erophila is derived from er, spring, phileo, I love; and vcma is 

 Latin for vernal or spring. 



