566 



PART IV. CLASSIFICATION. 



basal, or numerous : fruit a capsule with transverse dehiscence, or 

 a nutlet : seed with endosperm. 



Plantacjo lanceolata (Ribwort), major, media, the Plantains, are weeds 

 universally distributed. P. Coronopus, the Buck's-horn Plantain, and P. 

 maritima, grow in dry places and on sandy sea-shores. The leaves form a 

 rosette just above the root, and the long scapes spring from their axils, 

 bearing simple spikes. In P. Cynops, Psyllium, and others, the main stem 

 is elongated : the testa of the seed is mucilaginous. In Littorella lacustris 

 the flowers are monoscious ; fruit 1-seeded, indehiscent ; stamens hypogyn- 

 ous : it grows on the bottom in shallow waters. 



Order 3. OROBANCHACE^E. Plants which are destitute of chlo- 

 rophyll, with scaly leaves, parasitic on the roots of other plants ; 

 the flower resembles that of the Scrophulariacese, but the ovary is 

 unilocular with 2 or 4 parietal placentae. 



B 



FIG. 379. Flower of Plantago: a axis of 

 the inflorescence (scape) ; d bract ; fc calyx; 

 c corolla; st stamens; n stigma (mag.). In 

 the diagram, o is the upper, and u the 

 under lip. 



FIG. 380. Bladders of Utricularia. 

 A Outside view : s pedicel ; o entrance ; 

 i and b bristly appendages. B Section ; 

 v a valve opening inwards and prevent- 

 ing the exit of the imprisoned animal 

 (mag.). 



The commoner species of Broomrapes, occuring in Britain, are Orobanc/ie 

 major and minor, parasitic on Leguminosae, elatior on the Greater Knap- 

 weed, Hederce on Ivy, ramosa on Hemp ; mostly of a brownish or whitish 

 hue. Lathrcea Squamaria, the Greater Toothwort, is generally parasitic on 

 the roots of the Hazel: it is of a pale rose colour with slightly bluish 

 flowers : the subterranean scaly leaves each form a kind of pitcher. 



Order 4. LENTIBULARIACELE. Only the two antero-lateral 

 stamens are developed (Fig. 377 C) : ovary unilocular : ovule 

 numerous on a free central placenta : seed without endosperm. 



The British species of Utricularia are floating water-plants with 

 finely divided leaves bearing bladder-like appendages (modified leaflets) 

 which serve to catch small aquatic animals (Fig. 380). Pinrjuicula vul- 

 (jaris and alpina (Butter-worts) are small plants growing in damp 



