420 WOODRUFF. 



brown towards the base, and about six inches in height. The 

 leaves are from seven to nine in a whorl, usually eight, bright 

 green, lanceolate, acute, rough only at the margin, and on the 

 midrib ; the lower ones smaller, obovate-lanceolaic, commonly 

 seven in a whorl. The flowers are disposed in a terminal, erect, 

 naked corymb, which is generally composed of three principal 

 branches, and four secondary ones. The calyx is a small su- 

 perior margin upon the germen, with an obsoletely four-toothed 

 limb. The corolla is snow-white, funnel-shaped, with a very 

 short tube and a four-parted limb, the segments ovate-lanceo- 

 late, obtuse, spreading*. The stamens are four, with short 

 white filaments, and oblong, obtuse, erect anthers, situated be- 

 tween the segments of the corolla. The germen is inferior, 

 roundish, obsoletely didymous, supporting two filiform styles, 

 united above the middle, terminated by globose stigmas. The 

 fruit is rough with ascending bristles, not crowned by the calyx, 

 separable into two carpels, each of which is dry, indehiscent, 

 and contains a single seed. Plate 47, fig. 4, (a) corolla opened 

 to show the stamens, (b) pistil, (c) fruit. 



The pure snow-white blossoms of this plant appear in their 

 greatest profusion in May, peeping up among the dead leaves 

 in woods and shady places. It seems to prefer a calcareous 

 soil, and is very abundant in the beech woods of Bucks and 

 Herts. 



The generic name is derived from asper, rough, in allusion 

 to the rough leaves of some of the species. The common name 

 Woodruff, corrupted into Woodroof and Woodrooffef, refers to 

 the whorled position of the leaves, like an old fashioned ruff; 

 also compared to the rowel of a spur, whence the names Wood- 

 rowel and Woodrow. 



The only British species of the genus, besides that here de- 

 scribed is the Squinancy Woodruff {A. cynanch'ica), distinguished 

 by its linear leaves, four in a whorl, the upper whorls of two 

 opposite leaves reduced to bracteae. It was so named because 

 of its reputed efficacy as a gargle in sore throat and quinsy. 



* The corolla under a slight magnifying power, appears covered with 

 shining frosted particles having a beautiful appearance. 



+ Another orthography, which affords amusement to children learning to 

 spell, is Woodderowffe. 



