By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 



263 



9. G. palustre, (Linn.) Marsh-Bed-straw, White-Water- Bed- 

 straw. Engl. Bot. t. 1857. G. donga turn (Presl.) 



Locality. Wet places by the Avon, and canal, also sides of 

 ditches and rivulets. P. FL July, August. Area, L 2. 3. 4. 5. 

 Frequent in all the Districts. Leaves varying in size and number 

 on different parts of the plant; smooth, except a few scattered 

 bristles on the edges and back. Panicles widely spreading. Fruit 

 of two turgid lobes, minutely dotted. G. Witheringii (Sm.), Engl. 

 Bot. t. 2206, appears to be chiefly distinguished by the more 

 numerous and apparent reflexed bristles of the stem and leaves, 

 and is not unfrequent in the county. A stronger form, much 

 larger in all its parts, is the G. elongatum (Presl.) 



ORDER. VALERIANACEiE. (JUSS.) 

 Valeriana, (Linn.) Valerian. 

 Linn. CI. iii. Ord. i. 

 Name. Probably from valere, to be in health ; in allusion to its 

 medicinal properties. 



1. V. officinalis, (Linn.) officinal, or great wild Valerian. 

 Reich. Icones, xii. 727. St. FL 9. 



Locality. Sides of the Avon, ditches, and moist woods. P. FL 

 June, July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. In all the Districts. Whole 

 plant 2 to 4 feet high. Stems striated. Lower leaves on long foot- 

 stalks. Flowers pale, flesh-coloured. V. sambucifolia (Mikan.), 

 V. officinalis (Smith), Engl. Bot. t. 698, may be distinguished by 

 having fewer and broader segments to the leaves, and will possibly 

 be found to be the more common form throughout Wilts. 



2. V. dioica, (Linn.) dioecious, or small marsh Valerian. Dioica 

 is derived from (dis) two, and (oikos) a house, the barren and fertile 

 plants being distinct. 



"Two houses hold this fashionable pair." — Darwin. 



Engl. Bot. t. 628. St. FL 9. 



Locality. In moist boggy meadows. P. FL May, June. Area, 

 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Generally distributed. Stem simple, 6 or 8 inches 

 high. Leaves and their segments mostly entire, occasionally ser- 

 rated. Flowers of a pale rose colour. 



