174 



Chrysanthemum Leucan- 

 THEMUM {While Ox-eye) and 

 Chrysanthemum Segetum 



(Yellow Ox-eye) 



COROLLIFLOR^ 



fair imitation of the feather formerly 

 worn by soldiers. It is said to be de- 

 structive to fleas. Meadows ; abun- 

 dant. — Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



2. C. segetum ,(Yellow Ox-eye, Corn 

 Marigold). — Florets of the ray yellow ; 

 leaves clasping the stem, oblong, acute, 

 toothed, glabrous, glaucous. The whole 

 plant is remarkably smooth and glau- 

 cous ; the flowers arc large, of a brilliant 

 yellow, and contrast beautifully with 

 Poppies and Bluebottles. Cornfields ; 

 abundant, but local. — Fl. June, July ; 

 and, in summer, ploughed fields ; again 

 in October and November. Annual. 



42. Matricaria {Wild Chamomile, Feverfew) 



1. M. Parthenium (Common Feverfew).— 1-2 feet high. Leaves 

 stalked, pinnate; leaflets pinnatifid and deeply cut; stem erect; 

 flowers corymbose. Well marked by its repeatedly cut, curled, 

 delicate green leaves and its numerous small heads of flowers, of 

 which the ray florets are white. The leaves are conspicuous in 

 mid winter, and the whole plant has a powerful and not unpleasant 

 odour, which is said to be particularly offensive to bees. The 

 English name is a corruption of Febrifuge, from its tonic properties. 

 Hedges and waste ground; common. — Fl. July, August. Per- 

 ennial. 



2. M. inodora (Corn Feverfew, Scentless May-weed). — Leaves 

 sessile, repeatedly cut into numerous hair-like segments ; stem 

 branched, spreading, 12-18 inches high ; flowers solitary. Of a 

 very different habit from the last, but resembling it in the colour 

 of the flowers, which are, however, much larger, and remarkable 

 for their very convex disk. Cornfields ; common. — Fl. July to 

 October. Annual. 



A seaside form, perennial, with fleshy leaves, is by some con- 

 sidered a species, under the name M. maritima (Sea Feverfew). 



3. M. Chamomilla (Wild Chamomile). — Flower-heads about 

 \ inch across ; disk yellow ; ray florets white. Oflen confused with 

 M- inodora and Anthemis Cotula, but may be distinguished by the 

 scales of the involucre being not chaffy at the margin, and by the 

 receptacle of the florets being hollow. Not uncommon in corn- 

 fields. — Fl. June to August. Annual. 



