288 THE ALPINE FLORA 



It requires a porous, well drained chalk soil, under 

 partial shade. In sandy peat and loam English specimens 

 are found to surpass the alpine type. Beautiful examples 

 are to be seen at Friar Park, where it is used for borders 

 and carpet-work and flowers prodigally. 



P.dJpeffrir(PI.XYlIl). "Herbe au laitier": an annual 

 species with very slender, thread-like stems, with sparse 

 leaves, those springing from the root being short and 

 obovate in shape, those on the stalk being oblong and 

 lance-like. It bears a spike of 10-20 blue flowers, the wings 

 (sepals) traversed by veins which branch towards their 

 end. June-July. Pastures of the Alps and Jura. 



The milkwort root has an exceedingly bitter taste, and 

 is used for lung troubles, especially chronic bronchitis, 

 and as a purgative. 



