CISTACE^E 87 



There are only about 5 species of Biscutella, all characterised by 

 the peculiar circular silicules and long style, but we believe B. 

 lavigata is the only perennial example of the genus ; e.g. B. cichorii- 

 folia Lois, is a handsome annual of hispid growth and wavy leaves 

 embracing the stem, which is often seen in waste or rocky places 

 in the South of Europe. It grows in one or two places in Tessin 

 and the Valais (Capolago, Aubonne). 



HUTCHINSIA R.Br. 



Flowers small, white. Petals equal. Filaments without scales. 

 Leaves pinnatifid. A genus of only 4 species, but represented in all 

 the continents. 



Hutchinsia alpina R.Br. (Nocccea alpina Reich.). 



Stem simple, ascending or recumbent, leafy at the base, 1-4 

 inches high, slender, sometimes pubescent. Leaves glabrous, 

 pinnate, with small oval or oblong lobes. Flowers pure white, 

 rather large for the plant. Petals oboval, twice the length of the 

 calyx. Raceme long and loose when in fruit, with spreading erect 

 pedicels equalling the silicules. Silicules elliptical, acute at both 

 ends. Style short, with 2 seeds in each cell. 



Damp, stony, and often shady places in the Alps, up to 10,000 

 feet and above. Common, especially on limestone. May to August. 



Sometimes carried long distances by Alpine torrents, in the 

 sandy bed of which its roots penetrate far. 



Distribution. Eastern, Central, and Western Alps, Jura, Py- 

 renees, Carpathians. 



CISTACE^ 



Flowers fugacious, usually large. Sepals and petals usually 5. 

 Stamens numerous. Ovary usually i-celled, with 3 parietal 

 placentae. Style i. Stigmas 3. Herbs or shrubs, often fragrant 

 and resinous. 



HELIANTHEMUM L. 



Sepals 3-5, the 2 outer usually smaller. Petals 5, crumpled in 

 the bud. Ovoles numerous. Style jointed at the base. Stigma 

 capitate or 3-lobed. Leaves opposite. 



About 35 species, chiefly spread over Southern and Western 

 Europe and N. Africa, with a few in America. 



Helianthemum alpestre Dunal. 



Shrubby, about 6 inches high, woody at the base. Branches 

 ascending. Leaves opposite, lanceolate, narrowed at the base, 

 more or less hairy, shortly stalked, without stipules. Racemes 

 loose, bracteate. Petals golden yellow, twice as long as calyx. 

 Style as long as. the ovary. 



