830 AJUGA. rCI.JkSS XIV. ORDER I. 



GENUS XIX. .AJU'GA LINN. Bugle. 

 Nat Ord. LABIA'TEJE. JDSS. 



GEN. CHAR. Calyx nearly equal, five-cleft. Corolla with the upper 

 lip very short, entire, or bifid, the lower of three lobes, much 

 larger. Stamens close, ascending above the upper lip. Name 

 from Abigo ; to drive away. 



* Bugula. Tournef. Flowers numerous in whorls. 



1. A. rep'tans, Linn. (Fig. 959.) Common Bugle. Stem solitary, 

 with creeping runners ; leaves broadly ovate, .more or less crenatcd ; 

 flowers whorled. 



English Botany, t. 489. English Flora, vol. iii. p. 66. Hooker, 

 British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 229. Lindley, Synopsis, p 197. 



Root of numerous long wiry whorled fibres. Stem erect, solitary, 

 about eight inches high, square, with sharp and often hairy angles, 

 mostly purplish, leafy, putting out numerous creeping runners from the 

 base. Leaves opposite, the lower ones on petioles, of greater or less 

 length, large, oblong, ovate, with a stout mid-rib, smooth, or slightly 

 hairy, paler beneath, the upper ones sessile, much smaller, ovate, all 

 either entire, or more or less unequally crenated or waved. Inflo- 

 rescence a terminal leafy spike of numerous whorled flowers, crowded 

 upwards, more distant below. Calyx with a short tube, and five 

 nearly equal deeply cut lanceolate teeth, smooth or hairy. Corolla 

 with a cylindrical tube, the -upper lip very short, entire, or notched, 

 apparently wanting, the lotver a fine deep blue, often streaked with 

 white, reflexed, three lobed, the lateral ones oblong, entire, the middle 

 one broad, deeply notched. Stamehs protruding, anthers ovate, two 

 celled. 



Habitat. Moist pastures, woods and shady places; common. 



Perennial ; flowering in May and June. 



This is a variable plant in size, and the greater or less intensity and 

 richness of the colour of its flowers, which are sometimes white or flesh 

 coloured ; the floral leaves or bractea often become of a fine blue 

 colour. It is smooth or hairy, and with or without creeping runners 

 at the base. It is without smell or taste, but the roots are slightly 

 astringent. It was once reputed for its vulnerary property, but is now 

 entirely neglected. 



2. A. pyramida'lis, Linn. (Fig. 960.) Pyramidal Bugle. Stem 

 solitary, without creeping runners ; radical leaves oblong, obovate, 

 crenated, the upper ones longer than the whorled flowers. 



English Botany, t. 1274. English Flora, rol. iii. p. 67. Hooker, 

 British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p, 229. Lindley, Synopsis, p. 198. 



Root of numerous long stout branched fibres. Stem erect, from 

 four to six inches high, square, with sharp angles, hairy, often 



