358 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



2. R. luteola, (Linn.) Dyer's Rocket. Yellow Weed. Weld. 

 Luteolus signifying yellowish, a diminutive of luteus. Engl. Bot. t. 

 320. Reich. Icones, ii. 99. 



Locality. Waste chalky ground, frequent. B. Fl. July, August. 

 Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



General throughout all the Districts in waste places, particularly 

 on chalk or limestone. The whole plant gathered in the flowering 

 season yields a rich yellow dye, much employed by our manufac- 

 turers of cotton and woollen stuffs, for which purpose it is cultivated 

 in some parts of England. 



ORDER. CISTACE.33. (JUSS.) 

 Helianthemum, (Gaert.) Rock Rose. 

 Linn. CI. xiii. Ord. i. 



Name. From Helios, (Gr.) the Sun, and Anthemon, a flower; 

 the flowers opening only in bright sunshine. 



1. H. vulgare, (Gaert.) Common Sun Rose or Rock Rose. Dwarf 

 Cistus. Cistus Helianthemum, Engl. Bot. t. 1321. C. tomentosus, 

 Engl. Bot. 2208. Reich. Icones, 4547, 4548. 



Locality. Dry hilly pastures on gravelly soil, and pretty gene- 

 ral wherever the chalk comes to the surface, increasing in fre- 

 quency northwards. P. Sh. Fl. May, September. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



General in all the Districts. Yarying much in the size and shape 

 of its leaves, and the amount of hoariness and pubescence. 



The corolla consists of five roundish petals, that are large in 

 comparison to the size of the plant, and which burst from the con- 

 finement of the small calyx with such velocity, that although they 

 instantly expand to a horizontal position, their crumpled petals 

 never become smooth, which circumstance forms a general charac- 

 ter in nearly all the species. 



The Rock Roses of our gardens are chiefly varieties of H. vulgare, 

 which under cultivation varies much in the colour of its flowers. 



grance. The author of the " Task " soon afterwards celebrates it as a favourite 

 plant in London, 



" the sashes fronted with a range 

 Of orange, myrtle, or the Fragrant Weed." 



Elsewhere he calls it 



" The Fragrant Weed, 

 The Frenchman's darling." 



