VENUS' NAVELWORT 397 



iption of ffeliotropium peruvianum, or Cherry Pie. Fig. 1 is a 



e 192. single flower, enlarged, showing corolla and calyx ; 2, the 

 in section, showing form and position of the organs. 



VENUS' NAVELWORT 



Natural Order Boragine^. Genus Omphalodes 



Omphalodes (Greek, omphalos, the navel, and eidos, resemblance). A 

 small genus — about ten species of hardy annual or perennial herbs with 

 lance-shaped, oval, or heart-shaped alternate leaves, and small white or 

 blue salver-shaped flowers. The name is suggested by the four nutlike 

 fruits, which have a border of membranous character which renders 

 them cup-like. The species are natives of Europe, North Africa, 

 Western and Central Asia, and Japan. 



Omphalodes verna has been in our gardens ever since 

 the year 1633, having been introduced from Southern 

 Europe. Being perennial, and spreading by means of runners, it 

 is quite naturalised in some old gardens, where its bright blue 

 flowers with white star-like centres produce a very pretty efi"ect. 

 0. linifolia was introduced from the same regions about fifteen 

 years later. 0. Lucilice, from the mountains of Greece and Asia Minor, 

 is a modem addition to garden flowers, its introduction having taken 

 place in 1873. 



Omphalodes linifolia (Flax-leaved). Stems erect, 

 ^"'6 to 15 inches high. Radical leaves wedge-shaped, stem- 

 leaves slender-lance-shaped, smooth, the edges fringed. Flowers white, 

 sometimes tinged with blue, |-inch across, in racemes ; May to August. 

 Annual. 



O. LuciLi^ (Lucilia's). Stems 4 

 oblong; radical ones stalked, upper o 

 nearly |-inch across ; June to August. Perennial. 



O. verna (spring). Stems 6 inches high. Radical leaves heart- 

 shaped ; stem-leaves oval-lance-shaped. Flowers bright blue with white 

 centre ; smaller than those of 0. Lucilice ; March to May. Plate 193. 

 There is a var. alha, with white flowers. 



Omphalodes succeed in ordinary garden soil, liking a 

 rather shady aspect. 0. Lucilice is recommended as a rock- 

 plant ; 0. linifolia, being an annual, may be used as a bright bordering ; 

 and 0. verna is very suitable for shrubbery borders, plantations, etc. 



