390 THE SANDALWOOD FAMILY. [Thestwm. 
small, in a terminal raceme, leafy, and sometimes branching at the base ; 
each flower on a distinct peduncle, with 3 linear bracts close under it. 
Perianth cleft almost down to the ovary; the tube of a greenish-yellow 
colour; the segments white, waved or almost toothed on the edges, and 
rolled inwards after flowering. Nut small, ovoid, marked with several 
longitudinal veins or ribs. 7. humifusum, D.C. 
In meadows and pastures, attaching itself to the roots of a great variety 
of plants, generally dispersed over temperate Europe and Russian Asia, 
but not extending into Scandinavia. In Britain, only in the chalky pas- 
tures of the southern counties of England. 7. all summer. 
owes 
LXVII. ARISTOLOCHIACEA, THE ARISTOLOCHIA 
FAMILY. 
Herbs, or, in exotic species, tall climbers, with alternate 
leaves, and often leafy stipules ;- the flowers brown or greenish. 
Perianth combined with the ovary at the base, either 3-lobed 
or very irregular, Stamens usually 6 or 12, inserted on the 
summit of the ovary within the perianth. Ovary and fruit in- 
ferior, 3- or 6-celled, with several seeds in each cell, Albumen 
fleshy, with a minute embryo. 
A small family, widely spread over the globe, chiefly in the warmer 
districts. The principal genus, Aristolochia, remarkable for the tubular 
perianth, often curved, terminating in an oblique, entire limb, is not 
British ; but the tall, climbing 4. Sipho, and some other species, are often 
cultivated in our gardens; and A. Clematitis (Kng. Bot. t. 398), from 
southern Europe, has been occasionally found in stony, rubbishy places in 
some parts of England, where it has strayed from gardens. It is an erect 
perennial, of about 13 feet, with broadly cordate leaves, and slender, yel- 
lowish-green flowers clustered in their axils. 
I. ASARUM. ASARUM. 
Perianth campanulate, regular, 3-cleft. Stamens 12. 
A genus of very few species, dispersed over Europe, temperate Asia, and 
North America. 
1, A. europzeum, Linn, (fig. 882). Common Asarum, Asarabacca,—-. 
A low perennial, with a shortly creeping rootstock, and very short, incon- 
spicuous stems. Leaves usually 2 only, almost radical, on long stalks, 
orbicular-cordate or kidney-shaped, 1 to 2 or even 3 inches broad. Be- 
tween them is a single greenish-brown flower, about half an inch long, on 
a short, recurved stalk; the perianth divided to the middle into 3 broad, 
pointed lobes. 
In woods and shady places, in central and southern Europe and temperate 
Russian Asia, extending northwards into southern Scandinavia. Rare in 
Britain, but believed to be a true native in a few localities in the north of 
England and in Wiltshire. FJ. May. 
