3 66 



SCROPHULARIN^E 



i. R. Crista-gdlli (Yellow-rattle, Cock's-comb). — An erect, 

 somewhat rigid plant, 12 — 18 in. high, seldom branched; leaves 

 oblong-lanceolate, serrate ; flowers yellow, in a loose spike, with 

 green, ovate, deeply serrate bracts, and conspicuous, pale, inflated 

 calyces. — Pastures; common. The rattling of the ripe seeds in 

 the capsule is a sign in Sweden that the hay is ready to cut ; but 

 in England hay-making begins when the plant is in full flower. — 

 Fl. June. Annual. 



2. R. major (Large Yellow-rattle), a taller, much-branched 

 species, has its flowers in 

 crowded spikes, and a yellowish 

 bract, ending in a fine green 

 point, below each flower. — 

 Cultivated fields ; local. — Fl. 

 July, August. Annual. 



15. Melamp^rum (Cow- 

 wheat). — Partially parasitic 

 plants with opposite leaves ; 

 calyx tubular, with 4 narrow 

 teeth ; corolla much as in 

 Pediculdris, but with the sides 

 of the upper lip reflexed ; seeds 

 2 — 4, not winged. (Name 

 from the Greek melas, black, 

 puros, wheat, the seeds being 

 said to make flour black when 

 ground and mixed with it.) 



1. M. cristdtum (Crested 

 Cow-wheat). — A handsome 

 plant, about a foot high, with 

 linear-lanceolate, entire leaves 

 and yellow flowers tipped with 

 purple, in dense, 4-sided spikes, 

 with cordate, toothed, ovate 

 bracts rose-coloured at the base, the lower ones recurved. — Woods 

 in eastern counties ; rare. — Fl. September, October. — Annual. 



2. M. arvense (Purple Cow-wheat). — Also a handsome species, 

 taller, with rosy flowers with a yellow throat and deep red lips, in 

 loose spikes with ovate-lanceolate, pinnatifid, rose- red bracts. — 

 Cornfields in the south-eastern counties ; very rare. — Fl. July,. 

 August. Annual. 



3. M. pratense (Common Yellow Cow-wheat). — A slender 

 plant, about a foot high, with opposite pairs of straggling branches 



rhinXnthus crIsta-gXlli 

 {Cock's-comb, Yellow-rattle). 



