82 WILD FLOWERS 



183. Great Wood-Rush, Luzula sylvatica, Rush family. A 

 very common plant in shady woods, where it often covers large 

 patches of soil : the leaves, which arise in tufts, are sword- 

 shaped, and dark, shining green, the edges covered with long, 

 silky hairs : the flowers are small, pale brown, and occur in a 

 branched cluster, at the apex of the flowering stem : flowers in 

 spring and early summer. 



184. Reed-Mace, Typha latifolia, Reed-mace family. A typical 

 plant of the margins of ponds and lakes : the stem may be 6 ft. 



183. Great Wood-Rush. 184. Reed-Mace. 



high, and bears at its tip 2 inflorescences : the lower is firm, 

 cylindrical, dark brown, and consists of female flowers ; the 

 upper is looser, paler, and consists of male flowers : the leaves 

 are broad and long, overtopping the inflorescences : a species 

 with narrower and shorter leaves is also found : flowers in 



GREEN FLOWERS, 185-195 



185. Lady's Mantle, Akhemilla vulgaris, Rose family. A 

 common plant of moist pastures, flowering in summer : it is 

 readily recognised by its leaves, which are almost round and 

 palm-lobed, with about 7 serrate lobes : they are unwettable, 

 and when plunged in water or covered with rain-drops take on 

 a silvery appearance : they are provided with stipules, and when 

 young are plaited: the flowers are small, star-like, yellowish 

 green, and occur in brushes at the end of the flowering stems. 



