CLASS V. OBDEB I.] LYSIMACHIA. 253 



bright yellow, axillary, one only from the axis of the upper leaves, on 

 a long slender peduncle, straight when in flower, becoming recurved 

 and twisted when in fruit. Calyx in five linear subulate segments, 

 nearly as long as the corolla. Corolla divided nearly to the base in 

 five ovate acute segments. Stamens shorter than the corolla, with 

 slender smooth filaments, free at the base. Anthers long, narrow. 

 Pistil longer than the stamens. Stigma obtuse. Capsule globose, 

 crowned by the persistent style. 



Habitat. Woods, banks, and shady places; frequent. 



Perennial ; flowering during the summer months. 



This gay little plant is a great ornament to wood banks and shady 

 groves, and is admirably suited for the sides of walks and banks in 

 pleasure grounds and plantations, which are rather moist ; its loose 

 spreading stems clothed in their bright shining leaves, intermixed with 

 the glowing yellow flowers, which are continually opening out during 

 the whole of summer, make gay the bank, and flourishes where but 

 few ornamental plants will grow. In similar situations, we have also 

 seen the following species; it, however, prefers a wetter soil than the 

 above, and is best suited for the banks of ponds and streams, where it 

 spreads its branches, and soon covers the ground with a thick mat 

 of its stems, leaves, and numerous flowers. 



5. L. nummula'ria, Linn. (Fig. 335). creeping Loosestrife, Money- 

 wort, or Herb Twopence. Steins prostrate; leaves opposite, rotundate, 

 cordate, smooth ; peduncles axillary, single flowered; segments of the 

 calyx ovate cordate; filaments glandular. 



English Botany, t. 528. English Flora, vol. i. p. 280. Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 107. Lindley, Synopsis, p. 184. 



Roots fibrous from the axis of the lower leaves. Whole plant 

 smooth and shining, pale green, and scattered over with glandular 

 spots, which are best seen after the plant is dried. Stem slender, 

 angular, branched or simple, from a few inches to two feet long, lying 

 close to the ground, and sending out roots from the lower leaves. 

 Leaves mostly very numerous, and crowded iu the lower part, opposite, 

 on short footstalks, roundish, and more or less cordate at the base, 

 obtuse or acute at the apex, with a prominent mid-rib, and numerous 

 lateral branches, the margins more or less waved. Flowers rather 

 large, of a pale yellow, each on a peduncle, arising singly from the 

 axis of the leaves. Peduncles of variable lengths, sometimes as long 

 as the leaves, at others much longer, angular. Calyx of five heart- 

 shaped segments, sometimes ovate, acute. Corolla of five ovate acute 

 segments, united at the base, scarcely forming a tube, veiny, scattered 

 over with small glands, the margin ciliated, with short glandular 

 hairs. Stamens about half the length of the corolla. Filaments 

 diluted at the base, and scattered over with glandular hairs. Anthers 



