212 DODECAXDRIA TRIGYNIA. [cL. XI- 



generally simple : flowers very numerous, yellow, in a close taper- 

 ing spike, with divided bracteas. Perennial : flowers in June and 

 July : grows by road-sides, and in hedges, and the margin of fields : 

 common. This plant is slightly bitter, aromatic, and astringent, 

 and was formerly in great repute for its medicinal properties. 

 Eng. Bot. vol. xix. pi. 1335. Eng. Fl vol. ii. p. 346. 726. 



TRIGYNIA. . 



4. RE'SEDA. YELLOW WEED. 



Calyx inferior, of one leaf, deeply divided into several nar- 

 row, irregular, permanent segments. Petals three, four, five or 

 six, unequal, deciduous, variously jagged. Nectary a flat, erect, 

 permanent coloured gland, between the uppermost petal and 

 the stamens. Filaments variable in number, hair-like, drooping, 

 short ; anthers oblong, erect. Germen superior, angular. Styles 

 terminal, short ; stigmas obtuse. Capsule pitcher-shaped, an- 

 gular, leathery, one- celled. Seeds numerous, kidney-shaped, 

 stalked, on three lateral receptacles. Named from resedo, to 

 calm, from its supposed effect on the system. 244. 



1. E. Luteola. Wild Woad. Dyers Weed. Yellow Weed. Leaves 



lance-shaped, undivided ; calyx with four segments. Stems two 



or three feet high, striated, smooth, branched : leaves frequently 

 furnished with a small tooth on each side at the base : clusters ter- 

 minal, erect, of numerous small flowers, with three greenish- white 

 petals, of which the uppermost is variously lobed, the lateral ones 

 of three acute lobes. Annual : flowers in July : grows in waste 

 ground : common. This plant affords a beautiful yellow dye, and 

 is cultivated for that purpose. Eng. Bot. vol. v. pi. 320. Eng. Fl. 

 vol. ii. p. 347. 727. 



2. R. lutea. Rocket Yellow Weed. Base Rocket. Leaves deeply 



three-lobed, lower ones pimiatifid ; calyx with six divisions. 



Stem about two feet high, bushy, branched, striated, smooth: leaves 

 somewhat stalked : clusters terminal, many-flowered, tapering : 

 petals six, buff-coloured, variously lobed. Perennial: flowers in 

 July and August : grows in waste places and dry pastures : fre- 

 quent. Eng. Bot. vol. v. pi. 321. Eng. Fl. vol. ii. p. 348. 728. 



3. R.fruticuUsa. Shrubby Base Rocket. Leaves all pinnate, waved, 

 glaucous ; calyx deeply five-cleft ; petals five, three-cleft at the 



summit. Root woody, tapering : stems two or three feet high, 



leafy: flowers in terminal racemes, yellowish- white. Perennial: 

 flowers in June: found in various parts of England and Ireland: rare. 

 It is an introduced plant. Eng. Bot. Suppl. pi. 2628. Brit. FL 4th ed. 

 p. 192. 729. 



DODECAGYNIA. 

 5. SEMPERVITUM. HOUSE-LEEK. 



Calyx inferior, of one leaf, deeply divided into several acute 

 segments, permanent. Petals from six to twelve, corresponding to 

 the segments of the calyx, somewhat larger, lance-shaped, acute, 

 equal, withering. Filaments as many, or twice as many, as the 



