Galium.] XL. STELLATE. 213 
of Britain, but not a very common plant, and very rare in Ireland, for 
although indicated in almost all Floras within the geographical range 
of G. palustre and G. saxatile, it is probable that varieties of the one or 
the other are often mistaken for it. Fl. swmmer. 
5. G. saxatile, Linn. (fig. 475). Heath G.—A small perennial, 
much branched, leafy, and often tufted at the base; the flowering 
stems numerous, weak, 5 or 6 inches high, rarely attaining nearly a 
foot, and smooth, or nearly so, on the angles. Leaves usually 6 in a 
whorl, sometimes 7 or 8, and occasionally on the barren shoots only 
4 or 5; the lower ones small and obovate, the upper narrow, and, 
when the stem lengthens much, mostly linear ; all have a little point 
at fhe tip, the edges are smooth or rough, the length seldom exceeds 
3 lines. Flowers numerous and white, in short terminal panicles, 
the lobes of the corolla scarcely pointed. Fruits small, more or less 
granulated. | 
In open heaths and pastures, very common in western and central 
Europe, but seldom mentioned in the more eastern Floras. In Britain, 
one of the most universally distributed species. Fl. summer. Varieties 
with narrower leaves, more often 8 in a whorl, have been distinguished 
as G. pusillum, Sm., sylvestre, Poll., montanum, Vill., commutatum, Jord., 
&c. [Of these G. sylvestre (pusillum, Sm.) is the most distinct, 
having more rigid and erect stems with narrower awned and ciliate 
leaves. ] 
6. G. Mollugo, Linn. (fig. 476). Hedge G.—Very near G. saxatile, 
but on a much larger scale. Stems, from a perennial stock, 1 to 2 or 
3 feet long, smooth and shining, and more or less branched. Leaves 
usually 8 in a whorl, varying from obovate to oblong or linear, more or 
less rough on the edges, and always terminated by a little point. 
Flowers white and numerous, in large terminal panicles. Corolla 
varying from 1 to 2 lines in diameter, each lobe bearing a little point, 
sometimes rather long, sometimes scarcely prominent. Fruit small 
and smooth, or slightly granulated. 
In hedges, thickets, and rich pastures, widely spread over Europe and 
western Asia, but neither an Arctic nor perhaps a Siberian species. 
Very common in England, but extends only into the southern counties 
of Scotland,and very rare in Ireland. Fl.swmmer. In shady situations 
and rich soils the stems are very straggling, swollen above each node, 
with broader leaves, and spreading panicles. This is-considered by 
many botanists as the only true G. Mollugo. In drier, more open 
situations, the stem is more erect, the leaves narrower, the panicles 
closer, and more oblong, and the points of the corolla more prominent. 
This form is often described as one or more distinct species, under the 
name of G. erectum, Huds., and G. aristatum, Sm. 
7. G. anglicum, Huds. (fig. 477). Wall G.—Somewhat resembles a 
very slender G. Mollugo, but the root is only annual, and the flowers and 
fruits are very much smaller. Stems about 6 inches high, the branches 
almost filiform, spreading, and rough on the edges. Panicles spreading, 
with filiform pedicels. Corolla white, very minute; the lobes less 
spreading than in most species, and not pointed. Fruits small, 
granulated. 
In stony wastes, on old walls, &c., very common in the Mediterranean 
region, and eastward to the Caucasus ; less abundant in central Europe, 
