Cuscuta.'] LII. CONVOLVULACEJE. 307 



characters derived chiefly from the size and form of the corolla and of 

 the scales. 



Corolla more than a line in diameter, with short, broad lobes, 

 and inconspicuous, appressed scales. 

 Calyx shorter than the corolla-tube, which is not much swollen 



when first flowering 1. CI europcea. 



Calyx as long as the globular corolla-tube. Plant growing on 



flax only . . 2. C. Epilinum. 



Corolla usually less than a line in diameter, with pointed, spread- 

 ing lobes ; the scales prominent, and nearly closing the tube . 3. C. Epithymum. 



1. C. europaea, Linn. (fig. 689). Greater D. — The whole plant is of 

 a pale greenish-yellow, tending more or less to redden in many situa- 

 tions. Flowers in sessile, globular clusters, 4 or 5 lines in diameter ; 

 each flower a little more than 1 line in diameter, sessile or borne on an 

 exceedingly short pedicel. Sepals broad and rounded. Tube of the 

 corolla at first broadly cylindrical, longer than the calyx, with broad 

 and short lobes, and very minute, scarcely perceptible scales inside. 

 Styles and stamens usually enclosed in the tube. As the capsule en- 

 larges, the tube of the corolla becomes nearly globular. 



Parasitic on a great variety of plants, more especially on herbaceous 

 stems, in Europe and the temperate parts of Asia. Not very abundant 

 in England, nor found north of York, nor in Ireland. Fl. summer. 



2. O. Epilinum, Weihe. (fig. 690). Flax D.— Differs slightly from 

 G. europcea in its flowers rather larger and more succulent but fewer in 

 number, the calyx rather longer, the corolla-tube globular even when 

 young, and the lobes still shorter in proportion. 



Said to grow exclusively on flax, in Europe and Kussian Asia, and 

 introduced into Britain with the cultivation of that plant. 



3. 0. Epithymum, Linn. (fig. 691). Lesser 2). —The threadlike 

 stems are much finer than in G. europcea; the heads of flowers small, 

 globular, and very compact. Flowers often considerably less than a 

 line in diameter, and very seldom attaining that size ; the calyx smaller 

 in proportion ; the lobes of the corolla pointed, spreading, and about 

 as long as the tube ; the scales of the inside more prominent, almost 

 closing the tube, and the style and stamens usually slightly protruding, 

 though shorter than the lobes. 



In open, sunny situations, chiefly on thyme, heath, and other small 

 shrubby plants, in Europe and temperate Asia. More frequent in 

 England than G. europcea, and extending into southern Scotland, but 

 unknown in Ireland. Fl. summer. G. Trifolii, Bab., is a variety found 

 in clover fields, with smaller distant scales on the corolla. 



LIII. BORAGINEJ3. THE BORAGE FAMILY. 

 Herbs, usually rough with coarse hairs (rarely shrubs or even 

 trees, in some exotic genera), with alternate, simple, usually 

 entire leaves ; the flowers in 1 -sided spikes or racemes, rolled 

 back when young, and usually forked or dichotomous. Calyx 

 of 5 divisions or teeth. Corolla regular or slightly irregular, 

 monopetalous, with a 5-cleft limb. Stamens 5, inserted in the 



