THE VEGETATION OF COMMONS 



207 



swing at the end of the long filaments, and the pollen is conveyed 



by the wind to the pistillate flowers, which are easily recognised 



by the red styles. The Cinquefoil is 



abundant on commons, and derives its 



name from the five leaflets which make 



up the compound leaf. It has yellow 



flowers, very like those of the allied 



species, Silver Grass. There is no flower 



of the common more graceful than the 



delicate Harebell. The radical leaves 



are rounded, and generally wither before 



the flowers open, so that one is more 



familiar with the upper leaves, which 



are narrow. 



Just as the grass heath may be in- 

 vaded by plants from an adjoining 

 natural pasture, so too may the com- 

 mon. The Milkwort, Thyme, certain 

 Clovers, Eyebright all pasture plants 

 are often found side by side with the 

 Thistles and Scabious, which are more 

 truly characteristic of dry, exposed situa- 

 tions, like that of a common. When the common is situated on 

 a sloping hillside the Bracken may be the dominant plant. The 



distribution of this Fern is worth noting. 

 It is found in woods composed of trees 

 with an open canopy ; it covers the 

 slopes of treeless hillsides, which were 

 at one time probably occupied by light 

 Oak scrub, or by Pine and Birch ; it 

 will grow on clay, and still better on a 

 sandy soil. The plants associated with 

 it vary with the habitat. On May Hill 

 Common, situated on the borders of 

 Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, the 

 Gorse and the Heather are the two chief 

 sub-dominant forms. In an Oak wood 

 it is found in conjunction with the 



FIG. 67 Milkwort (Polygala 

 vulgaris). 



FlG. 68. Thyme (Thymus 



