ii8 



CALYCIFLOR/E 



Smyrnium Olusatrum (Common 

 Alexanders) 



5. Smyrnium (Alexanders) 



I. S. Olusatrum (Common 

 Alexanders). — A tall and stout 

 plant, growing in waste ground, 

 especially near the sea. Well dis- 

 tinguished from any other plant 

 of the tribe by its broad, bright 

 green, glossy leaves, which grow 

 in threes, and by its numerous 

 large umbels of greenish yellow 

 flowers. The stem is smooth, 3-4 

 feet high, furrowed, and hollow. 

 The seeds are nearly black when 

 ripe. The young shoots are 

 sometimes boiled and eaten. 

 — Fl. May, June. Biennial. 



6. CicuTA (Cowbane) 

 I. C. virnsa (Cowbane, Water Hemlock). — A poisonous, aquatic 

 species 3-4 feet high ; distinguished by its very stout, hollow stem, 

 pinnate and long-stalked lower leaves, twice ternate upper leaves, 

 and stalked umbels of white flowers. The name Water Hemlock is 

 often applied to several species of 

 Qinanthe, which are also very poison- 

 ous. Ponds and ditches ; rare. — Fl. 

 July, August. Perennial. 



7. Apium [Celery) 

 J. A. graveolens (Celery, Smallage). 

 — -The origin of the garden Celery, and 

 unmistakably distinguished by its 

 strong flavour and odour, which in no 

 respect differ from those of the garden 

 plant. The stem is usually 1-2 feet 

 high, branched, and leafy, but some- 

 times nearly prostrate. The flowers 

 are small and white, and grow either in 

 terminal or axillary umbels, which are 

 often sessile and unequal. In its wild 

 state the plant is not eatable, but 

 when it has been cultivated on rich 

 soil, and the leaf-stalks have been 

 blanched by being " earthed up," and 



so deprived of light, it is a wholesome vegetable. Found mostly 

 in moist places near the sea, but it also occurs as a probable escape 

 in some inland districts. — Fl. June to September. Biennial. 



Apium Graveolens (Celery, 

 Smallage) 



