BORAGE TRIBE 



203 



are common, but these do not grow in watery places, and are of a 

 different habit. 



2. M. arvensis (Field Scorpion-grass).— Calyx covered with 

 spreading, hooked bristles, closed when in fruit, divided deeply 

 into five narrow segments ; stalks of the fruit spreading. The whole 

 plant roughish with spreading bristles ; the stems are from 6-18 

 inches high or more ; the flowers blue, small, but very beautiful. 

 In cultivated ground, hedges, etc. This is the commonest species 

 of all. — Fl. June to August. Annual. 



3. M. collina (Early Field Scorpion-grass). — Calyx covered with 

 spreading, hooked bristles, open when in fruit ; cluster with a soli- 

 tary flower in the axil of the uppermost leaf. The whole plant 

 rarely exceeds 3 inches in length ; the stems usually spread near 

 the ground, and terminate in clusters of very minute bright blue 

 flowers (never pink or yellow). On its first appearance, in April, 

 the flowers are buried among the leaves, but the stems finally 

 lengthen into clusters, and as the season advances the whole plant 

 dries up and disappears. Dry banks, not uncommon, but fre- 

 quently overlooked in consequence of its =minute size. — Fl. Aprfl, 

 May. Annual. 



4. M. versicolor (Parti- 

 coloured Scorpion-grass), — 

 Calyx covered with spread- 

 ing, hooked bristles, closed 

 when in fruit ; cluster on a 

 long, leafless stalk; stalk of 

 the fruit erect. A very dis- 

 tinct species, 3-6 inches 

 high ; the stem is leafy be- 

 low, naked above, and ends 

 in a cluster of flowers, which 

 are singularly coiled up 

 when in bud, and when they 

 first expand are yellow, 

 changing to blue as they 

 fade. Fields and banks ; 

 common. — Fl. April to Jdne. 

 Annual. 



Myosotis 



Versicolor 



[Parti-coloured 



Scorpion-grass) 



Myosotis 



Alpestris 



{Mountain 



Forget-me-not) 



5 . M. sylvatica (Wood For- 

 get-me-not). — Hairs of the 

 calyx spreading and hooked; calyx deeply cleft into narrow seg- 

 ments ; corolla bright blue, and as large as the Water Forget- 

 me-not. A rare species, growing in woods in Scotland and the north 

 of England. An Alpine form known as M. Alpestris, of dwarf 



