Meum.] XXXV. UMBELLIFERZE. 193 



Not unfrequent in the Scotch Highlands, in northern England and 

 North Wales, but not recorded from Ireland. Fl. summer. 



XXI. CRITHMUM. SAMPHIRE. 



Leaves succulent, dissected. Umbels compound, with general and 

 partial involucres. Petals entire. Fruit ovoid, not compressed, without 

 distinct calycine teeth. Carpels of a thick, succulent or somewhat corky 

 consistence, with 5 acute ribs becoming prominent when dry, but not 

 winged ; the vittas numerous, slender, and irregular. Seeds loose in the 

 cavity, with numerous fine vittas on the outside. 



A single species, very different from any other British Umbellifcra, but 

 closely allied to the large Mediterranean and Asiatic genus Cachrys, with 

 which some botanists unite it. 



1. 0. maritimum, Linn. (fig. 433). Samphire. — A perfectly glabrous 

 perennial, seldom above a foot high, almost woody at the base ; the 

 young branches, foliage, and umbels, thick and fleshy. Leaves twice 

 or thrice ternate, with thick linear segments about an inch long. Umbels 

 of 1 5 to 20 or more rays. Involucres of several small linear or lanceolate 

 bracts. Petals very minute, fugacious. Fruits about 3 lines long. 



In clefts of rocks, close to the sea, in western Europe and northern 

 Africa, and extending along the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. 

 Abundant in southern and western England and southern Ireland, but 

 rare in northern England, and in Scotland confined to Ayrshire. Fl. 

 summer. 



XXII. ANGELICA. ANGELICA. 



Leaves dissected. Umbels compound, with partial involucres of several 

 bracts. Petals white, entire. Fruit flattened from front to back ; the 

 carpels broad, with 3 ribs on the back, the edges expanded into wings, 

 those of the 2 carpels distinct before they separate, so that the fruit 

 is surrounded by a double wing. 



A genus of few species, dispersed over Europe, Asia, and North 

 America, distinguished from all other British Umbelliferce by the double 

 wing round the fruit. 



1. A. sylvestris, Linn. (fig. 434). Wild A. — A tall, stout, branching 

 perennial, attaining 3 or 4 feet in height, with thick stems, slightly 

 downy in the upper part. Lower leaves large, twice pinnate, with 

 ovate-lanceolate segments, often about 2 inches long, sharply toothed, 

 and sometimes 3-lobed ; the upper leaves shorter stalked, with fewer 

 segments, those under the peduncles often reduced to a broad sheath, 

 with a few small segments at the top. Umbels large, terminal, those 

 of the main stems often with 30 or 40 rays. General involucre of 2 or 

 3 linear bracts ; partial ones of several fine, short bracts. 



In moist woods and marshy places, especially near streams, throughout 

 Europe and Russian Asia to the Arctic regions. Abundant in Britain. 

 Fl. late in summer. 



The garden Angelica {Archangelica officinalis), of northern and eastern 

 Europe, long cultivated for confectionery, is not wild in Britain. 



