WILLOW HERB TRIBE 9,^ 



Evening Primrose, are eatable. In all, the number 4 predominates 

 in the arrangement of the parts. 



1. Epilobium (Willow Herb). — Calyx 4-parted, the lobes not 

 combined after expansion ; fclah 4 ; slamens 8 ; capsule long, 

 4-sided, 4-celled, 4-valved ; seeds numerous, tufted with down. 

 (Name from the Greek, epi, upon, and lobos, a pod, the flowers being 

 placed on the top of the pod-like seed-vessel.) 



2. CEnothera (Evening Primrose). — Calyx 4-parted, the lobes 

 more or less combined after expansion, and bent back ; stamens 8 ; 

 capsule 4-celled, 4-valved ; seeds numerous, not bearded. (Name 

 in Greek signifying catching the flavottr of the wine.) 



3. IsNARDiA. — Calyx 4-parted ; petals 4 or none ; stamens 4 ; 

 capsule inversely egg-shaped, 4-angled, 4-cclled, 4-valved, crowned 

 with the caly.x. (Named after a French botanist of the eighteenth 

 century, Antoine d'Isnard.) 



4. CiRC.EA (Enchanter's Nightshade). — Calyx 2-parted ; petals 2 ; 

 stamens 2 ; capsule 2-celled, each cell containing a seed. (Name 

 from Circe, the enchantress so celebrated in Greek Mythology.) 



I. Epilobium (Willow Herb) 



1. E. angustifolium (Rose Bay, or Flowering Willow). — Leaves 

 narrow pointed, smooth, or hoary. A tall, handsome species 2-4 

 feet high, not often met with in a wild state, but common in gardens, 

 where it is cultivated for the sake of its long racemes of handsome 

 rose-coloured flowers. Caution should be^ used in introducing it 

 into a small garden, as its roots creep ex^tensively, and are very 

 difficult to eradicate. Damp woods ; rare, except as an escape. 

 — Fl. July. Perennial. 



2. E. hirsidum (Great Hairy Willow Herb, Codlins-and-cream). — 

 A handsome species 4-6 feet high, with large rose-coloured flowers ; 

 petals all equal ; stamens erect ; stigma 4-cleft ; whole plant woolly ; 

 leaves clasping the stem, narrow oblong, serrated ; stem much 

 branched ; root creeping. Well marked by its very downy stems 

 and leaves and creeping roots. Wet places by streams and ditches ; 

 common. — Fl. Julj', August. Perennial. 



3. E. parviflorum (Small-flowered Hairy Willow herb). — Downy; 

 leaves sessile, narrow, toothed ; stem 1-2 feet high, nearly simple ; 

 root fibrous ; flowers pink. Distinguished from the last by its 

 smaller size, unbranched mode of growth, and fibrous roots. Wet 

 places ; common. — Fl. July, August. ' Perennial. 



4. E. montanum (Broad Smooth-leaved Willow Herb). — A small 

 species about a foot high. Leaves egg-shaped, acute, smooth, 

 toothed, the lower ones shortly stalked ; stem round, slightly downy; 



