BLUE FLOWERS 



75 



BLUE FLOWERS, 164-177 



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164. Milkwort, Polygala vulgaris, Milkwort family. A little 

 plant of pastures and heaths, remarkable for the colour varia- 

 J tions of its flowers : the most common colour is deep blue, but 



pink, white, and sky-blue are very frequent : the stem is 

 branched at the base ; each branch is about 4 ins. high, with small 

 lance-shaped leaves, and a spike of flat flowers : flowers in 

 summer. 



165. Deyil's-bit Scabious, Scabiosa Succisa, Scabious family. 

 The stem is usually unbranched and about 2 ft. high : there is 



164. Milkwort. 



166. Devil's-bit Scabious. 



a tuft of leaves at the base, and a few pairs on the stem, oblong- 

 elliptical, and sometimes slightly notched : the flowers are 

 gathered in small, round heads, blue with a slight tinge of 

 purple, occasionally white : the name refers to the character of 

 the underground stock, which ends abruptly, as if bitten off : a 

 common plant of dry pastures, flowering in late summer and 

 autumn. 



166. Sea Starwort, Aster Tripolium, Daisy family. A plant 

 of salt-marshes near the sea : the stem is 1 to 2 ft. high, with 

 long, elliptical leaves, which are usually somewhat fleshy : the 

 flowers are in large handsome heads, with a bright blue ray and 

 yellow disc : flowers in autumn. 



167. Corn-flower, Bluebottle, Centaurea Cyanus, Daisy 

 family. One of the most beautiful plants of our corn-fields, 



