2.^6 



RUBIACE/E 



I. R. peregrina (Wild Madder). — The only British species, a 

 long straggling plant, many feet in length ; stems 4-angled, with 

 recurved bristles on the angles ; leaves 4 — 6 in a whorl, ovate, 

 glossy above, with recurved bristles on midrib and margin, nearly 

 evergreen; flowers yellowish, in paniclcd cymes; corolla 5 -cleft ; 

 berries black, about as large as currants, remaining attached till 

 late in winter. — Rocky places in the south and west; uncommon. 

 - — Fl. June — August. Perennial. 



G.4lium (Bedstraw), 



RUBIA PEREGRl'.-iA (M'iAf Dla^th'?'), 



Herbs differing chiefly from Rubia in 

 having a rotate, 4dobed, rarely 5- 

 lobed, corolla and a dry p-vit of 

 2 I -seeded carpels. (Name from 

 the Greek gala, milk, some species 

 being used to curdle it.) 



* Leaves 2,-^veiiied 



1. G- borecile (Cross-leaved Bed- 

 straw). — Stem erect, i — 2 feet 

 high ; leaves 4 in a whorl, smooth, 

 lanceolate ; flowers many, white ; 

 fruit rough, with hooked prickles. 

 — Damp rocky places in the north. 

 — Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



2. G. Crncirila (Crosswort). — 

 Prostrate, about a foot long, hairy ; 

 leaves 4 in a whorl, elliptic, soft 

 and downy ; flowers yellow, in 

 6 — 8-flowered axillary cymes, very 

 fragrant, upper ones having pistils 

 only, lower, stamens only ; fruit 

 smooth. — Dry banks ; common — 

 Fl. May, June. Perennial. 



** Leaves i-vniied: flowers in axillary and terminal panicles : fruit 

 smooth : pereiinied 



3. G. vernm (Lady's Bedstraw). — Leaves ahoui 8 in a whorl, ^'ery 

 narrow (almost thread-like), revolute, downy beneath ; flowers 

 golden-yellow, rarely pale or green, in de,nse a.xillary and terminal 

 panicles. — Dry banks ; abundant. The Highlanders use the roots, 

 in conjunction with alum, to die red, and the flowers to curdle 

 milk — Fl. June — September. Perennial. 



4. G. erectum (Upright Bed.straw).--Sub-ercct ; leaves 6 — 8 in a 

 whorl, lanceolate, with bristly margins ; cyme with ascending 



