Potentilla.] XXVI. R0SACE2E. 139 



spot on the Breidden Hill in Montgomeryshire. [This very rare plant 

 has quite recently been found in another locality in the eastern counties 

 of Wales. Fl. May and June. ] 



10. P. palustris, Scop. (fig. 322). Marsh P. — A perennial, 1 to 1£ 

 feet high, often assuming a bluish-purple colour, glabrous or more or 

 less hairy in the upper part ; the stems decumbent and rooting at the 

 base. Stipules not distinct from th^ enlarged base of the leafstalk. 

 Leaflets mostly 5, shortly pinnate at the end of the stalk, oblong, 

 toothed, nearly glabrous above and hoary underneath, or softly hairy 

 on both sides, and often near 2 inches long. Flowers in a loose, irre- 

 gular corymb, of a dingy purple ; the inner segments of the calyx 

 broad, with long points, the outer ones narrow and much smaller. 

 Petals shorter than the calyx. Carpels numerous and small, on a some- 

 what enlarged, rather spongy receptacle, on which account this plant 

 was considered by Linnseus as forming a distinct genus, Comarum 

 palustre, Linn. 



In marshes, peat-bogs, and wet places, in northern and central 

 Europe, Asia, and a portion of North America, penetrating far into the 

 Arctic regions. Widely distributed over Britain, but rare in the south 

 of England. Fl. summer. 



VIII. ALCHEMILLA. ALCHEMIL. 



Tufted herbs, either annual or with a perennial, almost woody stock, 

 and annual flowering-stems, palmately lobed or divided leaves, and 

 small green flowers, in loose panicles or in small sessile heads. Calyx 

 free, double, that is, of 8 divisions, of which 4 alternate ones are outside 

 and smaller. No petals. Stamens 4 or fewer. Carpels 1 or 2, 1 -seeded, 

 and enclosed in the dry tube of the calyx. 



The species are very few, but widely spread over the northern hemi- 

 sphere, chiefly in mountainous districts. The palmate, not pinnate 

 leaves, and inflorescence, readily distinguish them from the two follow- 

 ing apetalous genera. 



Perennial. Flowers in terminal panicles. 



Leaves green on both sides, with short, broad, palmate lobes . 1. A. vulgaris. 



Leaves silvery shining underneath, deeply palmate . . . 2. A. alpina. 



Small annual. Flowers minute, in sessile axillary heads . . . 3. A. arvensis. 



1. A. vulgaris, Linn. (fig. 323). Lady's-rnantle. — A perennial, 

 either glabrous or more or less hairy, but always green, not silvery. 

 Radical leaves large, on long stalks, broadly orbicular or reniform, 

 divided only to a fourth or a third of their depth into 7 or 9 broad, 

 regularly toothed lobes. Flowering-stems decumbent or ascending, 

 seldom above 6 inches high, bearing a few small leaves on short stalks, 

 with large, green, toothed stipules, and a loose panicle of small, green 

 flowers, each borne on a little pedicel, generally at least as long as the 

 tube of the calyx. 



In meadows and pastures, in northern and Arctic Europe and Asia, 

 becoming more restricted to mountain-ranges in central and southern 

 Europe and central Asia. Generally distributed over Britain, but 

 scarce in south-eastern England. Fl. spring and summer. [A. hybrida, 

 Mill, (montana, Willd.), is a dwarf mountain form with very silky or 

 pubescent leaves.] 



