17 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND BLOSSOMS. 



state. Both are characterized by having thick creeping root- 

 stocks. Convallaria differs from Polygonatum in having no 

 stem ; the two or three leaves springing direct from the root- 

 stock. The flower is a bell-shaped perianth, the mouth split 

 into six recurved lobes. Stamens six, attached to the base 

 of the perianth, around the ovary, which ultimately becomes a 

 globose red berry. It is much more widely distributed than 

 Polygonatum. In woods ; flowers May and June. Name from 

 the Latin Convallis, a valley. The only British species. 



Solomon's Seal has a distinct arching stem, with alternate 

 erect leaves. The flower-stalks spring from the axils of the 

 leaves, and bear from two to five greenish-white flowers each. 

 The berries that succeed the flowers are blue-black. The 

 flowers are similarly formed to the last-mentioned, but longer, 

 more tubular, and the lobes not turned back. The stamens are 

 attached about half-way down the perianth. There are two 

 other native species, both rare. 



The Angular Solomon's Seal (P. officinale\ much smaller 

 than the last, the flowers mostly occurring singly, larger and 

 greener. Wooded limestone cliffs, May and June. 



Narrow-leaved Solomon's Seal (P. verticil latuni), with leaves 

 in whorls around the angled stem. Wooded glens, Northumber- 

 land, Perth and Forfar only. June and July ; very rare. 



Name from the Greek, polys, many, and gvnafos, a knee or 

 angle, in allusion to the many nodes. 



Hawthorn (Cratczgus oxyacantha). 



The Hawthorn, May, or Whitethorn, is too well known to 

 require much description. Its more familiar appearance is as 

 a hedge-forming shrub, when it is not allowed to have any 

 natural form, but in the woodlands it becomes a round-headed 

 tree, and when fully in flower looks like a monstrous snow-ball 

 on a stalk. The tyro in botany can tell almost with a glance 



