FIG-WORT TRIBE 



215 



7. Pedicularis (Red-rattle) 



1. P. paliistris (Marsh Red-rattle).— 

 An herbaceous plant 12-18 inches high ; 

 stem solitary, erect, branched through- 

 out, of a purple tinge ; leaves deeply 

 cut ; calyx downy, with 2 deeply-cut 

 lobes ; floieers large, crimson. It is a 

 conspicuous plant in marshes and bogs, 

 where it often overtops the surrounding 

 herbage with its somewhat handsome 

 flowers. Common. — Fl. June to Sep- 

 tember. Perennial. 



2. P. sylvatica (Dwarf Red-rattle, 

 Louse-wort). — Stems several from the 

 same root, prostrate, unbranched ; calyx 

 smooth, with 5 unequal, leaf-like lobes. 

 Distinguished from the last by its hum- 

 bler growth and rose-coloured fiowers 

 with smooth calyces. A white variety 

 is occasionally found. Damp meadows 

 and heathy places ; common. — Fl. June 

 to August. Perennial. 



Pedicularis Palustris 

 [Marsh Red-rattle) 



8. Rhinanthus [Yellow-rattle) 



I. R. Crista-galli (Cock's-comb, Yellow-rattle). — An erect, some- 

 what rigid plant 12-18 inches high, composed of a single stem and 

 terminating in a loose spike of yellow flowers. Leaves narrow, 

 oblong, tapering to a point, serrated ; flower -bracts egg-shaped, 

 deeply serrated ; calyces inflated. " When the fruit is ripe the 

 seeds rattle in the husky capsule, and indicate to the Swedish 

 peasantry the season for gathering in their hay. In England, Mr. 

 Curtis well observes, haymaking begins when the plant is in full 

 flower" (Sir W. J. Hooker). In cultivated land; common. — 

 Fl. June. Annual. 



A variety, R. major (Large bushy Yellow-rattle), which is of local 

 occurrence, bears the flowers in crowded spikes ; it is a larger and 

 more branching plant, and at the base of each flower is a yellowish 

 bract ending in a fine point. 



9. Bartsia 



I. B. viscosa (Yellow Viscid Bartsia). — An erect plant, from a few 

 inches to a foot or rather more high. Leaves narrow, tapering, 

 deeply serrated, lower opposite, upper alternate. Somewhat re- 

 sembling Yellow-rattle, but at once distinguished by its sohtary 



