39© 



labiAtve 



filaments. (Name said to be from a German word for the quinsy, 

 for which complaint it was considered a specific.) 



i. P. vulgaris (Self-heal). — The only British species, easily dis- 

 tinguished by its whorls of blue-purple, or rarely white, flowers, 

 which are collected into a cylindrical head, having two kidney- 

 shaped, acuminate, purple-edged bracts beneath each whorl, and a 

 pair of ovate leaves at the base of the head. — Pastures and waste 

 ground ; very common. — Fl. July — September. Perennial. 



SCUTELLARIA GALERICUlATA 



{Greater Skull-caf). 



prunella vulgaris {JS elf -heat). 



ii. MeliTtis (Bastard Balm), represented by only one species, 

 M. Melissophyllum, a very handsome plant, i — 2 feet high, with 

 large, oblong-ovate, serrate, slightly hairy leaves, and conspicuous 

 white flowers, spotted or variously variegated with bright rose- 

 colour. The calyx is membranous and inflated. — Woods in the 

 south and west : rare. — The foliage has an offensive smell while 

 fresh, but in drying acquires the flavour of new hay or Woodruff. 

 (Name from the Greek melitta, a bee, another form of melissa 



