156 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



about ponds ; scape erect, rigid ; August. Of the other species, 

 U. gibba, Gron., with small yellow flowers, has been found in the 

 western part of this State. U. inflata, Walt., and purpurea, 

 Walt., are not uncommon ; U. striata, Le Conte, occurs near 

 Connecticut River. U. resupinata, Greene, was first detected by 

 Dr. B. D. Greene in ponds in Tewksbury, and has since been 

 found by the side of the ponds in Plymouth. 



ORDER 210. OROBANCHE.E. The Broomrape 



Tribe. 



Calyx 1-leafed, divided, peristent ; corolla commonly 2-lipp- 

 ed, irregular, inferior ; stamens 4, 2 longer than the others ; 

 style J , stigma 2-lobed ; on a fleshy disk sits the ovary ; fruit 

 capsular ; leafless, parasitic plants, growing from the roots of other 

 plants ; stems scaly, whitish or brownish. 



This order is found chiefly in the middle and northern parts 

 of Europe and Asia, North of Africa, and North America ; proper- 

 ties of no great value. 



Orobanche. L. 13. 2. Broomrape. 



From the Greek, for vetch and to strangle, because, being parasites, 

 they often destroy the plants they feed on. Some of the species 

 in Europe fasten upon the roots of broom, furze, clover, and legu- 

 minous plants, and destroy them. In Flanders, 0. major, L., 

 has prevented the culture of clover in some places. Loudon. 

 The plants of this genus are found in the Middle and South of 

 Europe, North of Africa, and North America. About 4 species 

 are found in this country, and 2 in this State ; singular and curi- 

 ous plants, found in woods and moist grounds. 



O. Americana. L. Cancer Root. Because it has been used 

 as a remedy for this dreadful disease. Stem simple, covered 

 with scales ; flowers in a spike ; brownish yellow ; blossoms in 

 July. Common in woods of beech, in Berkshire County. 



O. unijlora. L. Small Cancer Root. Stem 1 inch to 4 or 

 5 inches high, 1-flowered, sometimes 2, pubescent ; woods ; 

 June. 



