196 COROLLIFLOR^ 



C. Batatas is no less valuable in tropical connliies, supplying 

 the sweet potato, the roots of which abound in starch and sugar, 

 and are a nourishing food. Cusctita (Dodder) is a j arasitic genus, 

 with branched, climbing, cord-like stems, no leaves, and globular 

 heads of small wax-like flowers. The seeds germinate in the 

 ground, and the young plants climb the stems of the adjoining 

 plants ; and when they have taken root in them Icse their connec- 

 tion with the ground. One British species is very abundant on the 

 Furze ; another on Flax, with the seeds of which it is supposed to 

 be introduced ; and a third grows on Thistles and Nettles. 



1. Convolvulus (Bindweed). — Cordla trumpet-shaped, with 5 

 plaits and 5 very small lobes ; calyx without bracts ; style i ; 

 stigmas 2 ; capsule 2-celled, 2-vajved. (Name from the Latin, 

 convolvo, to entwine, from the twisting habit of many species.) 



2. Calystegia (Bindweed). — Corolla as in Convolvulus ; calyx 

 enclosed within 2 bracts ; style i ; stigmas 2 ; capstde i-celled, 

 2-valved. (Name in Greek, denoting a beautiful covering.) 



3. CuscuTA (Dodder). — Calyx 4 to 5-claft ; corolla bell-shaped, 

 4 to 5-cleft, with 4-5 scales at the base within. (Name said to be 

 derived from the Arabic, Kechout.) 



I. Convolvulus (Bindweed) 



I. C. arvensis (Field Bindweed). — Stem climbing ; leaves arrow- 

 shaped, with acute lobes ; flowers 1-3 together ; bracts minute, dis- 

 tant from the flower. A common weed in light soil, either trailing 

 along the ground among short grass, or climbing wherever it finds 

 a support. The flowers are rose-coloured with dark plaits, hand- 

 some and fragrant, opening only in sunny weather. — Fl. June, July. 

 Perennial. 



2. Calystegia [Bindweed) 



1. C. sepitim (Great Bindweed). — Stem climbing ; leaves anow- 

 shaped, with abrupt lobes ; flowers solitary on square stalks ; 

 bracts large, heart-shaped, close to the flower. The flowers are 

 among the largest which this country produces ; while in bud they 

 arc entirely enclosed in the large bracts, and when expanded are 

 pure white and very handsome. The fruit is not often perfected. 

 In bushy places, common ; and a most mischievous weed in gar- 

 dens, not only exhausting the soil with its roots, but strangling with 

 its twining stems the plants which grow near. — Fl. July to Sep- 

 tember. Perennial. 



2. C. Soldanella (Sea Bindweed). — Stem not climbing ; leaves 

 fleshy, roundish, or kidney-shaped ; flowers solitary, on 4-sided, 

 winged stalks ; bracts large, egg-shaped, close to the flower. A very 



