UMBELLIFER.E. 



339 



The general range is nearly the same 

 as that of the common P., but it is more 

 frequent in mountainous districts and 

 shady situations, or rich soils. In Bri- 

 tain, chiefly in southern and eastern 

 England and southern Ireland. Fl. sum- 

 mer, rather late. It is probable that a 

 further study of intermediate forms, 

 which are frequent in the south of Eu- 

 rope, will induce its reunion with the 

 common P. as a marked variety. 



Fig. 411. 



XY. BUPLEVER. BUPLEYRUM. 



Leaves quite entire. Umbels compound, or sometimes small and 

 irregular, with partial and usually also general involucres. Petals 

 broad, entire, yellow, Eruit ovoid or oblong, somewhat laterally com- 

 pressed, without visible calycine teeth. Carpels with 5 more or less 

 prominent ribs, with or without vittas. 



A considerable genus, widely diffused over the temperate regions of 

 the old world, and one of the few natural ones among Umbellates, but 

 distinguished more by its entire leaves, with parallel veins and yellow 

 flowers, than by the carpological characters, which in different species 

 correspond to different short-fruited genera. 



Leaves broad and perfoliate. Bracts of the partial involucres 



broadly ovate 1. Karens-ear B. 



Leaves narrow and grasslike. 



Annuals. Rays of the umbel few, very short, or incon- 

 spicuous. 

 Umbels of 3 or 4 short rays. Bracts lanceolate, longer 



than the flowers 2. Narrow B. 



Flowers 2 or 3 together, in little heads along the 



slender wiry stems. Bracts very small 3. Slender B. 



Perennials. Umbels of 4 to 8 rays. Bracts shorter than 



the rays 4. Falcate B. 



2 D 2 



