DROPWORT. 26< 



whitish*. The stem is erect, simple, somewhat angular, smooth, 



and rises about a foot in height. The leaves are chiefly radical, 



spreading, alternate;, interruptedly pinnate, bright green above, 



glaucous beneath ; the pinnae opposite, sessile, lanceolate, 



deeply cut, and serrated ; the alternate pairs much smaller, but 



each set uniform ; the petiole is channelled above, and has at 



Its base two amplexicaul stipulae. The flowers are disposed 



in a paniculate corymb at the top of the stem. The calyx 



is monophyllous, inferior, five-cleft, striated, and persistent. 



The corolla consists of five obovate, spreading petals, of a 



yellowish white, tipped with rose colour. The stamens are 



numerous, with setaceous filaments, nearly as long as the 



petals, inserted into the calyx, and tipped with two-lobed 



anthers. The germens are five or more, superior, ovate, 



pilose, each surmounted by a white, reflexed style, terminated 



by a capitate, compressed, truncated stigma. The capsules are 



equal in number to the germens, elliptical, pointed, compressed, 



one-celled, and two-valved, containing a few small oblong 



seeds. Plate 17, fig. 1, (o) the calyx; (6) petal; (c) stamen ; 



(rf) pistil ; (e) capsules. 



Dropwort grows in open pastures, particularly in a chalky or 

 gravelly soil, in many parts of England, and on hills to the south- 

 west of Arthur's Seat, Scotland. It flowers in July. 



Spiraea, is the name given by Pliny to a plant whose blos- 

 soms were used for garlands, derived from cntci^aix of Theo- 

 phrastus. This species was named Filipenduld, on account of 

 its curious tubers, which are suspended as it were by threads ; 

 hence, also, the English name Dropwort. It is supposed to be 

 the Molon of Pliny. 



A variety with double flowers is cultivated in gardens. 

 The herb is eaten by cows, sheep, goats, and swine, but. 

 refused by horses. Hogs are very fond of the roots, and are 

 very dexterous in extirpating them from the soil. 



Qualities.— The tubers, taken up late in autumn, have a plea- 

 sant odour, resembling that of orange flowers, and a sweetish 

 agreeable taste, similar to hazel-nuts, combined with a slight 

 bitterness. In spring they are bitter, and less fragrant. The 



• These singular ovoid lumps appear to be designed as reservoirs of 

 nourishment to the plant, enabling it to resist drought, its usual habitat 

 being dry gravelly pastures. 



u 2 



