256 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY 



This order contains many poisonous species and is closely 

 related to Solanaceae, but usually the flowers are irregular 

 and the ovary is not oblique. Many species occur in 

 Britain, and they possess interesting peculiarities both in 

 vegetative and reproductive organs. Several are semi-para- 

 sites (see pp. 358-9), e.g. species of Eyebright {Euphrasia 

 spp), Bartsia, Lousewort (Pedicularis spp), Yellow Rattle 

 (Rhinanthus spp.), and Cow- wheat (M dampy rum spp). 



The Speedwells {Veronica) occur in varied habitats. 

 The Water Speedwell {V. Anagallis), Marsh Speedwell 

 (V. scutellata), and Brooklime {V. Beccabunga) are marsh or 

 aquatic. Several species are common cornfield weeds ; 

 while the Germander Speedwell {V. Chamaedrys) is common 

 on hedge-banks ; and others occur on heaths and moun- 

 tains. In gardens many New Zealand shrubby species 

 are cultivated, which are curious xerophytes with small 

 compact leathery leaves resembling species of Cypress, Box, 

 and other evergreens. 



Other common species are Toadflax {Linaria spp.), Snap- 

 dragon {Antirrhinum spp.) (Fig. 174, 4, 5), Figwort {Scrophu- 

 laria spp.), Foxglove {Digitalis purpurea) (Fig. 174, 6), Musk, 

 and Monkey Flower {Mimulus spp), the latter having 

 sensitive stigmadobes which quickly close when touched. 

 The flowers of the Foxglove are all brought to one side by 

 the bending of the flower-stalk. The Ivy-leaved Toadflax 

 {Linaria Cymbalaria) has flowers which turn to the light, 

 but after pollination, turn away, and the flower- stalk grows 

 and presses the fruits into crannies where they ripen and 

 shed their seeds. The Figworts are pollinated by wasps. 

 The stigma ripens before the anthers, and the stamens and 

 style lie on the lower lip of the flower. 



The following flowers should be compared as to number 

 and position of stamens : Mullein {Verbascum Thapsus), 

 five stamens (Fig. 174, 1) ; Figwort and Pentstemon, four 

 stamens and a staminode ; Toadflax, Snapdragon, and 



