242 



C,OROTJJFT,0'RiE 



The leaves spread horizontally from the crown of the root, and lie 

 so close to the ground as to destroy all vegetation beneath, or to 

 leave the impression of their ribs on the gromid ; the spike, which 

 is shorter than in P. major, grows on a longer stalk, and the flowers, 

 which are fragrant, are rendered conspicuous by their light purple 



anthers. Meadows; common. — Fl. June, 



July. Perennial. 



3. P. /awcfc'o/rtte (Ribwort Plantain). — Leaves 

 narrow, tapering ; flowers in a short spike, 

 the stalk of which is angular ; cells of the 

 capsule i-seeded. Under the name of Cocks 

 and Hens this plant is well known to chil- 

 dren, who amuse themselves by striking the 

 heads one against another until the stalk 

 breaks. The flowers are dark brown. 



Meadows ; abundant. — Fl. June, July. 

 Perennial. 



4. P. war;7w;!a (Sea plantain). — Easily dis- 

 tmguished from the rest of the genus by its 

 long, linear, fleshy leaves, which are grooved 

 and woolly at the base. Seashores, and in 

 the north on the tops of mountains. — Fl. 

 June to September. Perennial. 



Pr.ANTAP.O Lanceol.^ta 

 (Ribwort riuutain) 



5. P. coronopus (Buck's-horn Plantain 

 capsule imperfectly 4-celled, 4-seeded. 

 The only British species which has 

 divided leaves ; these are more or less 

 downy, and usuaUy prostrate. Waste 

 ground; common. — Fl. June, July. 

 Annual. 



2. LiTTORELLA (Shore-weed) 



1. L. lacustris (Shore-weed). — The 

 only species. Not unlike Plaiitago 

 maritima in habit, but at once distin- 

 guished by its solitary barren flowers, 

 raised each on a stalk 2-4 inches high ; 

 the fertile flowers are sessile among the 

 leaves. Marshes and banks of lakes. — 

 Fl. June to September. Perennial. 



■Leaves pinnatifid ; 



LiTTORELLA LaCUSTRIS 



{Shun- weed) 



