72 CARYOPHYLLACE^E 



*2. SaponAria (Soapwort). — Herbs with conspicuous flowers in 

 panicled or fascicled cymes ; calyx tubular, ebracteate ; capsule 

 2-chambered at the base, 4-valved at the top ; seeds rounded. 

 (Name from the Latin sapo, soap, the plant abounding in a 

 soapy juice.) 



1.* S. officinalis (Common Soapwort). — A robust, succulent 

 plant, 2 — 4 feet high, with broad, pointed, smooth, leaves^ and 



SAPOvXria officinalis (Common Soapwort). 



handsome flesh-coloured flowers, which are often double. — Hedges 

 near villages ; not indigenous. — Fl. August, September. Perennial. 



3. Silene (Catchfly). — Herbaceous, often viscid, plants ; calyx 

 ebracteate, inflated, 5-toothed, 10- veined; petals 5, with long 

 narrow claws, and usually a double ligule at the base of the blade ; 

 styles usually 3 ; capsule usually 3-chambered in its lower half and 

 6-valved above. (Name said to be from the Greek sialon, saliva, 



