DAPHNE FAMILY 423 



green, in crowded whorls, forming very large, almost leafless 

 panicles; inner perianth-segments triangular, netted, with oblong 

 tubercles. — River-banks ; frequent. — Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



* Acid herbs (Sorrels) with leaves generally hastate a;:d imperfect 

 flowers 



11.* R. alpinus (Monk's Rhubarb). — A slightly downy plant, 

 with thick rhizome ; stem stout, 2 — 4 feet high ; leaves roundish- 

 cordate, not hastate, on long channelled stalks ; flowers monoe- 

 cious, in crowded but not confluent whorls, forming a panicle with 

 numerous erect branches, leafy at the base only ; inner perianth- 

 segments ovate, cordate, membranous, without warts.- — Near 

 cottages, formerly cultivated for its astringent rhizome and as a 

 pot-herb. — Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



12. R. Acetbsa (Common Sorrel). — A slender, smooth plant, 

 about 2 feet high, with simple, juicy stems ; radical leaves on very 

 long stalks, sagittate, glaucous beneath; upper leaves sessile; stipules 

 brown ; flowers reddish-green, dioecious, in leafless panicles with 

 erect branches ; outer perianth-segments reflexed in fruit ; inner 

 round, membranous, with a minute wart at the base. — Meadows ; 

 abundant. Well known for its pleasing acid taste. — Fl. May — 

 August. Perennial. 



13.* R. scutdtus (French Sorrel). — The species chiefly cultivated 

 as a pot-herb or salad, with hastate-ovate, slightly fiddle-shaped 

 leaves, is occasionally naturalised. 



14. R. Acetosella (Sheep's Sorrel). — Much smallef than R. 

 Acetbsa ; 6 — 10 in. high ; often tinged, especially in autumn, with 

 a deep red ; leaves lanceolate-hastate ; stipules silvery, torn ; 

 flowers dioecious, in leafless panicles with erect branches ; outer 

 perianth-segments ascending, inner without warts. — Dry gravelly 

 places ; abundant. — Fl. May — August. Perennial. 



Ord. LXV. Thymel^ace^e. — Daphne Family 



A small Order of plants, mostly shrubby, remarkable for their 

 tough inner bark, which is of a highly acrid nature, causing 

 excessive pain if chewed, and raising a blister if applied to the 

 skin. They have undivided, exstipulate, laurel-like leaves ; flowers 

 generally perfect ; perianth tubular, 4- rarely 5-cleft, coloured, 

 imbricate ; stamens 2 — 10, inserted in 2 rows in the perianth- 

 tube ; ovary superior, i-chambered ; stigma undivided ; fruit a 

 1 -seeded nut or drupe. The bark of several species is used for 

 making rope and paper, that of Lagetta lintedria, the Lace-bark 

 tree of Jamaica, for instance, which can also be pulled out under 



