CARYOPnTLLACE^E. 7l 



SPECIES I.-LYCHNIS PLOS-CUCULI. 



Plate CCXII. 



Reich. Ic Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. VI. Caryoph. Tab. CCCVI. Fig. .5129. 

 Coronaria Flos-cuculi, Braun. Garcke, Fl. von Nord- und Mittel-Deutschland, ed. vi. 

 p. G5. 



riowers in a terminal dichotomous cyme, with branches below 

 it, so as to form a loose panicle. Calyx tubular-bellshaped, ovoid 

 in fruit, with deltoid teeth. Petals cleft beyond the middle into 

 4 linear segments. Gynophore rudimentary. 



In marshes and moist meadows. Common. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Early Summer. 



Rootstock slender, producing decumbent barren shoots and 

 erect flowering stems, li to 2^ feet high. Leaves of the barren 

 shoots and those at the base of the stem narrowly-oblanceolate, 

 attenuated at the base into short footstalks. Upper stem-leaves 

 strapshaped-lanceolate, 2 to 4 inches long. Bracts small, linear- 

 lanceolate. Elowers about ^ inch long, IJ to 1| inch across, in 

 a dichotomous cyme, which has generally an opposite pair of dichoto- 

 mous cymes in the axils of the pair of leaves next below those at 

 the base of the terminal cyme. Peduncles long and slender. Calyx 

 usually tinged with dull red, with 10 purplish veins, and terminating 

 in 5 short acuminated teeth with membranous margins. Petals rose- 

 colour, with the lamina? palmately cleft into 4 very narrow segments, 

 with 2 long bifid subulate scales at the base. Capsule roundish- 

 ovoid, opening widely at the aj^ex by 5 revolute teeth. Seeds very 

 small, reniform - roundish, covered with small tubercles. Leaves 

 green, flaccid, glabrous, scarcely glaucous. The upper part of the 

 stem rough with small points. 



Ragged JRobin, Rose of Heaven, Smooth Lychnis, 

 Meadoio Fink, Wild IFilliams. 



French, Lychnide Laciniee. German, KukuJcs Kranzrade. 



Tlje common name of this wayside and pretty plant, " Ragged Robin," is perhaps 

 a corruption of its more poetical epithet, " Rose of Heaven." It is also called Crow- 

 flower, Cuckoo-flower. Many of the species of the genus Lychnis are cultivated in 

 gardens, but they are chiefly foreigners; this species, however, is an elegant hardy 

 perennial, the seeds of which only require to be sown in an open border. 



Section II.— VISCAEIA. 



Calyx sub-membranous, with 5 short teeth at the apex. Petals 

 with scales at the base of the lamina, which is slightly notched or 

 bifid. Capsule with imperfect partitions. 



