366 



S C R P H U L A R f N M 



1. R. Crisia-gdlli (Yellow-rattle, Cock's-comb). — An erect, 

 somewhat rigid plant, 12 — r8 in. high, Stjldorn branched; leaves' 

 oblong-lanceolate, serrate ; flowers yello\v,,in a loose spike, with 

 green, ovate, dt^eply serrate bracts, and coijspicuous, pale, inflated 

 calyces. — Pastures; common. The rattling of the ripe seeds in 

 the capsule is a sign in Sweden that the hay is ready to cut ; but 

 in England hay-making begins when the plant is in lull flower. — 

 Fl. June. Annual. 



2. R. major (Large Yellow-rattle), a taller, much-branched 



species,^ has its fln~ccrs in 

 crowded spikes, and a yellowish 

 bract, ending in a fine green 

 point, below each flower. — 

 Cultivated fields ; local. — Fl. 

 July, Atigust. Annual. 





15. Mel.mhpvkum (Cow- 

 wheat). — Parn'ally jiarasitic 

 plants with opposite leaves : 

 calyx tubular, with 4 naiTow 

 teeth ; corolla much as in 

 Fediculdris, but with the sides 

 of the upper lip reflexed ; seeds 

 2 —4, not winged. (Nauie 

 from the Greek melas, black, 

 piiros, wheat, the seeds being 

 said to' make flour black when 

 ground'and mixed with it.) 



I. ili. crisidluiu (Crested 

 Cow-wheat). — A handsome 

 plant, about a foot high, with 

 linear-lanceolate, entire leaves 

 and yellow flowers tipped with 

 purple, in dense, 4-sidcd spikes, 

 with cordate, toothed, ovate 

 bracts rose-coloured at the base, the lower ones recurved — Woods 

 in eastern counties ; rare. — Fl. September, October. — Annual. 



2. M. arvcnse (Purple Cow-wheat). — Also a liandsome species, 

 taller, with rosy flowers with a yellow throat and deep red li|is, in 

 loose spikes with ovate-lanceolate, jDinnatilid, rose red bracts. — 

 Cornfields in the south-eastern counties ; very rare. — I'd. Jul}-, 

 August. Annual. 



^,. M. prathise ((Jommon ^'ellow (.*ow-wheat). - A slender 

 plant, about a foot high, with (i[)posite pairs of straggluig branches 



uhin.Intuus cin'';TA-G.\Lr.] 

 {Ccck's-ccnd't } 'illow-ratiU). 



