PRIMULACE^. 



543 



3. Moneywort Lysimachia. Lysimachia nummularia, Linn. 



(Fig. 648.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 528.) 



Stems prostrate, trailing to the length 

 of 1 or 2 feet, often rooting at the 

 nodes. Leaves opposite, broadly ovate or 

 rounded, usually obtuse, on short stalks. 

 Flowers yellow, large and handsome, on 

 axillary peduncles not so long as the 

 leaves ; the divisions of the calyx broadly 

 ovate and pointed ; the corolla concave, 

 deeply divided into 5 ovate lobes. Sta- 

 mens erect in the centre, with the fila- 

 ments slightly connected at the base. 



On banks, under hedges, and in moist 

 pastures, all over Europe, except the 

 extreme north, and eastward to the Cau- 

 casus. Common in England, extending 

 apparently to the southern counties of Scotland, rare in Ireland. 

 PI. summer and autumn. 



Fig. 648. 



4. Wood Lysimachia. Lysimachia nemorum, Linn. 

 (Fig. 649.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 527.) 



A procumbent plant, with the habit 

 and rotate corolla of the common Pim- 

 pernel, but with the yellow flowers and 

 the capsule of a Lysimachia. Stem slen- 

 der, often rooting at the base, 6 inches 

 to a foot long. Leaves opposite, broadly 

 ovate, on short stalks. Pedicels slender, 

 axillary, rather longer than the leaves, 

 each with a single, rather small flower. 

 Calyx-segments narrow and pointed. 

 Corolla rotate, of a bright yellow. Sta- 

 mens quite free, with slender filaments. 

 As the capsule ripens, the pedicels roll 

 round, as in ihejleld Pimpernel. 



In woods and shady places, not un- 

 common in western Europe, extending far northward in Scandinavia, 

 and eastward through central Europe to Transylvania. Generally dis- 

 tributed over Britain. Fl. all summer. 



Fig. 649. 



