190 ASPERTJLA. [CLASS IV. ORMR I. 



1. A. odora'ta, Linn. (Fig. 240.) sweet Woodruff. Leaves about 

 eight in a whorl, lanceolate ; flowers few, in long-stalked panicles; 

 fruit bristly. 



English Botany, t. 755.- English Flora, vol. i. p. 197. Lindley, 

 Synopsis, p. 130. Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 69. 



Root with branched, creeping underground stems. Stems erect, from 

 six to twelve inches high, square, smooth. Leaves from seven to nine 

 in a whorl, spreading ; the lower ones ovate-lanceolate, with an acute 

 point ; the upper lanceolate, a bright green on the upper side, and 

 minutely dotted when dry, paler beneath, with a rather prominent mid- 

 rib, which, as well as the margin, is rough, with prickles pointed for- 

 wards. Inflorescence in small terminal panicles of few white Jtoivers, on 

 longish smooth stalks ; each division without, or having at its base one 

 or more narrow linear Iractcec. Calyx of four small teeth, disappear- 

 ing after flowering. Corolla funnel-shaped, with a short lube, and 

 four equal, obtuse, spreading segments. Fruit of two closely united 

 pericarpia, granulated and clothed with white tubular hooked bristles. 



Habitat. Woods and shady places ; frequent. 



Perennial ; flowering from May to June. 



The specific name of this plant is given to it on account of the highly 

 aromatic flavour which it exhales during the process of drying, resem- 

 bling that of Anthoxan 'thum odora'tum, which, like it, depends upon 

 the benzoic acid which it contains. The flowers are said to excel in 

 flavour, when made into infusion, that of China teas. In Germany, 

 the whole plant is used to give a grateful flavour to some of their wines ; 

 and in many parts of this country it is kept among clothes to protect 

 them from insects. 



The English name of this plant is variously spelt by old authors. 

 Dr. Withering says that in some it is spelt Woodderowffe ; the spelling 

 of which frequently affords great amusement to children (w oo dd c 

 ro wffe). 



2. A. art-en 'sis, Linn. (Fig. 241.) Field Woodruff". Leaves from six 

 to ten in a whorl, linear -lanceolate, obtuse; flowers in terminal 

 clusters, surrounded by long ciliated bractea; ; fruit smooth ; an- 

 nual. 



Banks, in Plymouth and Devonport. Flora. Lob. Ic. t. 801, f. 2. 

 English Botany, Supplement, t. 2792. Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. 

 p. 69. 



Root fibrous, annual. Stew erect, from six to twelve inches high, 

 simple, or with alternate or opposite branches, square, roughish, espe- 

 cially below. Leaves from six to ten in rather distant whorls, linear- 

 lanceolate, obtuse, tapering at the base, the lower ones ovate -lanceo- 

 late, a bright green above, pale beneath, the margins somewhat re- 

 flexed and rough, with prickles pointed forwards. Inflorescence in 



