224 



COROLLIFI.OR^ 



base, wavy at the edge and crcnate ; it is rendered conspicuous by 

 its long spikes of purple-blue floivers, the calyces of which are much 

 larger than the corolla. At the base of each flower are 2 heart- 

 shaped, fringed, acute brads. Dry pastures, especially near the 

 sea, or on a chalky soil. — Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



2. 5. pratensis (Meadow Clary). — This is not considered a native, 

 but occurs in Kent, Cornwall, and Oxford. It is distinguished by 

 its handsome spikes of blue flowers ; the corolla twice as long as 

 the calyx. Dry pastures ; rare. — Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



3. Mentha (Mint) 



1. M. sylvestris (Horse Mint). — A strong-scented plant, usually 

 growing in masses 1-2 feet high, with egg-shaped leaves tapering to 

 a point, serrated, downy, and very white with down beneath ; and 

 dense, rather slender spikes of lilac flowers, which are often inter- 

 rupted below ; bracts awl-shaped. A doubtful native ; damp 

 waste ground, more frequent in the south than the north of Eng- 

 land. — Fl. August, September. Perennial. 



2. M. rotundifoUa (Round-leaved Mint). — Leaves sessile, broadly 

 elliptical, blunt, much wrinkled, nearly smooth above, shaggy 

 beneath ; flowers, pale lilac or white, in dense cylindrical spikes. 

 The spikes of this species are more slender than in the last, the 

 stem is somewhat woody, and the leaves are much wrinkled and 

 remarkably blunt ; the scent is strong and aromatic, but scarcely 

 agreeable. Waste ground ; not common. — Fl. August, September. 



Perennial. 



3. M.hirsuta (Hairy Mint). — The com- 

 monest of the mints, 1-4 feet high, grow- 

 ing in extensive masses in wet places, and 

 well - distinguished by its stalked egg- 

 shaped, serrated leaves, which are downy 

 on both sides, and whorls of lilac flowers, 

 which, towards the summit of the stem, 

 are crowded into heads ; hairy ; the 

 scent is strong and unpleasant. A very 

 variable plant. Banks of rivers and 

 marshes ; abundant. — Fl. August, Sep- 

 tember. Perennial, 



4. M. arvensis (Corn Mint). — A branched 

 downy plant, 6-12 inches high, with 

 stalked, egg-shaped, serrated, hairy leaves, 

 and distant whorls of small lilac 'flowers ; 

 calyx bell-shaped., The plant has a strong 



Mentha Hiksuta unpleasant smell. Cornfields ; common. 



{Hairy Mint) — Fl. August,September. Perennial. 



