370 



THE UMBELLATE FAMILY. 



Fig. 446. 



bruised. Leaves large and much divided 

 into numerous small ovate or lanceolate 

 deeply-cut segments ; the upper leaves 

 gradually smaller and less divided. Um- 

 bels terminal, not large for the size of 

 the plant, of 10, 12, or even 15 rays. 

 Bracts short and lanceolate ; those of 

 the general involucre variable in num- 

 ber ; those of the partial ones almost 

 always 3, turned to the outside of the 

 umbel. Fruit about 2 lines long. 



On the banks of streams, along hedges, 

 and the borders of fields, etc., widely 

 spread over Europe and temperate Asia, 

 though not always common. Generally 

 distributed over Britain. Fl. summer. 



XXXVI. PHYSOSPERM. PHYSOSPERMUM. 



Leaves dissected. Umbels compound, with general and partial in- 

 volucres. Flowers white. Fruit 2-lobed, the carpels nearly globular, 

 and attached by a narrow edge, each with 5 scarcely visible rays, and 

 single vittas to the interstices. Albumen with a longitudinal furrow 

 on the inner face. 



A genus of very few species, from Europe and temperate Asia. 



1. Cornish Physosperm. Physospermum cornubiense, 



DC. (Fig. 447.) 



(Ligusticum. Eng. Bot. t. 683.) 



Stock perennial. Stem erect, almost leafless, 1\ to 2 feet high, 

 slightly branched. Radical leaves on long stalks, twice or thrice ter- 

 nate ; the segments ovate or cuneate, and deeply cut. Umbels ter- 

 minal, of 10 to 12 rays, with rather large, white flowers. Involucres, 

 both general and partial, of very few linear bracts. The fruits have 

 the appearance of two little smooth' bladders, placed face to face, with 

 a loose seed in each. 



