8 4 
WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
II. TOOTHWORT. (LATHR/EA. Linn.) — A genus differing from the Broom-rape 
(Orobanche) in the flowers being more regular, less markedly 2-lipped ; the calyx of 4 sepals, 
united into a widely bell-shaped 4-lobed tube ; the corolla of 4 petals, with the upper lip concave 
and entire ; and the capsule always opening at the top by 2 valves. Fleshy parasites with under- 
ground stems. 
Common Toothwort. (Lathrsea squamaria. Linn.)— The only British species. 
As just described. The flowers are about f inch long, numerous, flesh-colour or stained 
with purplish-red, drooping, stalked, with a broad egg-shaped (ovate) bract at the base of each 
stalk, and arranged in 2 rows in a spike-like cluster ; the bell-shaped, 4-lobed calyx is hairy ; the 
upper lip of the corolla is entire or slightly notched, and the lower lip is 3-lobed ; the anthers are 
2-celled, with the cells diverging from one another, and fringed with hairs ; the style is smooth, and 
the 2-lobed stigma is purple ; the capsule is egg-shaped (ovate), pointed, and flattened, containing 
largish seeds ; the stem is 3 inches to 1 foot high, thick, fleshy, and brittle, whitish tinged with rose 
or purple, and with a few broad egg-shaped bracts, which as they near the root pass into short thick 
scales with which the root is covered. \Plate 28. 
Rather rare. A parasite on the roots of the hazel and other trees ; distributed through England and 
Ireland, and the southern and central counties of Scotland. April — May. Perennial. 
