340 BRITISH FLOWERING PLANTS 



VEEBENACE^ 



Verbena (Vervain) 



Homogamous bee flowers. Nectar secreted by tlie 

 base of the ovary, and protected by a ring of hairs. 



V. oflacinalis is the only representative of the 

 family in the British flora. The flowers are small, but 

 are rendered less inconspicuous by being collected into 

 a long slender spike. The corolla-tube is 3-4 mm. 

 long. The lower half is turned upwards, the upper 

 outwards, thus protecting the stigma, anthers, and 

 nectar. The stem is quadrangular, and bears opposite 

 leaves. 



PLUMBAGIISrACE^ 



The flowers are small, but conspicuous by association. 

 Calyx and corolla tubular ; nectar secreted by the base 

 of the flower. 



Armeria (Thrift) 



Small red or sometimes white flowers collected in 

 a terminal globular head. The calyx has a petal-like 

 border. 



A. vulgaris. — The flowers are sweet-scented. The 

 calyx is 5 mm. long, the upper part thin, violet, and 

 supported by five ribs ending in short teeth. The corolla- 

 tube is lined with hairs which protect the nectar. 

 When the flower opens the five stigmas are in the centre 

 surrounded by the anthers, which are over the honey. 

 Subsequently they change places, the stigmas moving 

 outwards, the anthers approaching the centre of the 

 flower. Finally the stigmas wind spirally, and touch 

 the anthers. The membranous calyx serves as a 

 parachute for the dispersal of the seed. This species 

 has two well-chosen haunts — mountains and the seaside. 



