596 



THE BEOOMRAPE FAMILY. 



base of the calyx. Calyx variously divided, usually into 2 or 4 

 lobes or sepals. Corolla broadly tubular or campanulate, often 

 curved, the lobes more or less 2- lipped. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs. 

 Anthers 2-celled, the cells parallel, and usually pointed at the 

 lower end. Style single, with a 2-lobed stigma. Ovary and 

 capsule 1-celled, the latter opening in 2 valves, with numerous 

 small seeds attached to parietal placentas. 



A small Order, spread over the greater part of the globe, but chiefly 

 in temperate climates, and more abundant in the old world than in 

 America. The floral characters are nearly those of the Scrophularia 

 family, with the exception of the ovary and capsule, which are never 

 divided into cells, the placentas not joining in the centre. The ab- 

 sence of green leaves at once distinguishes it from all British species 

 of that family. 



Calyx deeply divided into 2 or 4, pointed sepals 1. Broomrape. 



Calyx with 4 broad, short teeth or lobes 2. Lathr^a. 



I. BEOOMRAPE, OROBANCHE. 



Calyx divided to the base on the upper side, and often also on the 

 lower side, so as to form 2 lateral sepals, either entire or 2-cleft, either 

 distinct from each other, or more or less connected at the base on the 

 lower side, and sometimes on the upper side also, by the intervention 

 of a fifth lobe, and always pointed. Habit and other characters those 

 of the family. 



It is the principal genus of the Order, extending over the whole of its 

 geographical range. The species are in general difficult to characterize. 

 Some appear to thrive only on the roots of one species, or at most two 

 or three closely allied ones, whilst others will grow on a great variety 

 of plants of the most remote natural affinities. But as the particular 

 stock the plant feeds on, occasions some modification in the habit of 

 the parasite, it is in many cases a matter of great doubt whether the 

 differences observed are owing to this circumstance or to real specific 

 distinction. It is not therefore improbable that some of the species 

 here adopted, although much less numerous than those usually dis- 

 tinguished, may on a more careful observation prove to be mere 

 varieties of each other. 



One bract only under each flower. Plant with little or 

 no blue. 



Stout plant, 1 to 3 feet high, with numerous flowers 

 in a dense spike. 

 Plant dingy-brown, on shrubby Peaflowers. Stamens 



glabrous below 1. Great B. 



