BOEAGINE^E. 



573 



3. Lesser Dodder. Cuscuta Epithymum, Linn. (Fig. G84.) 

 (C. europcea, Eng. Bot. t. 55. C. Trifolii, Bab. Man.) 



The thread-like stems are much finer 

 than in the greater D. ; the heads of 

 flowers small, globular, and very compact. 

 Mowers often considerably less than a 

 line in diameter, and very seldom attain- 

 ing that size ; the calyx smaller in pro- 

 portion ; 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 the greater D., and extending into southern Scotland, 

 but unknown in Ireland. Fl. summer. 



Fig. 684. 



LI. THE BORAGE FAMILY. BORAGINE^I. 



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

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

 tire leaves ; the flowers in one-sided spikes or racemes, rolled 

 back when young, and usually forked or dichotomous. Calyx of 

 5 divisions or teeth. Corolla regular or slightly irregular, mono- 

 petalous, with a 5-cleft limb. Stamens 5, inserted in the tube of 

 the corolla, and alternating with its divisions. Ovary deeply 4- 

 lobed (or, in some exotic genera, 2-lobed), with a simple style 

 inserted between the lobes. Emit consisting of as many small, 

 1-seeded nuts, having the appearance of seeds, and enclosed with- 

 in or surrounded by the calyx. 



A numerous family in the northern hemisphere, with a few repre- 

 sentatives in the tropics or in the southern hemisphere ; easily distin- 

 guished by the 4 seed-like nuts from all but Labiates, and from these 

 by their alternate leaves and more regular flowers. 



