i 3 2 WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
round, 2-celled, separating when ripe into 2 1 -seeded cases. Herbs with square, weak stems, and 
stalkless (sessile), undivided (simple) leaves, growing in circles of 4-12 round each joint 
(whorls). 
Sweet Woodruff. (Asperula odorata, Linn.)— As just described. The flowers 
\ inch across, white, in terminal clusters; the fruit separating into 2 round, 1 -seeded cases 
covered with white hairs. Stems 6-18 inches high, square, brittle, hairy below each joint ; with 
lance-shaped leaves, fringed with hairs, polished, stalkless, 6-9 in a circle round each joint. When 
dried having the scent of new-mown hay. \Plate 61. 
Common. Woods and banks. May — June. Perennial. 
*Four-leaved Woodruff. (Asperula taurina, Linn.)— Not a native. Flowers \ inch 
across, flesh-colour, with stamens with long filaments. [As described in the genus Asperula.] 
Fruit without hairs but rough. Stems 6 inches to 2 feet high, with egg-shaped leaves, 4 in a circle 
round each joint. 
Very rare. An escape from cultivation. May — June. Perennial. 
Quinsey-wort. (Asperula cynanchica, Linn.)— Flowers white or pink, in little 
clusters terminating the stems. [As described in the genus Asperula.] Fruit without hairs, rough. 
Stems 2-8 inches high, with narrow, stalkless, unequal leaves, 4 in a circle round each joint. 
Common on downs, especially on chalk or limestone. June — August. Perennial. 
*Blue Field Woodruff. (Asperula arvensis, Linn.)— Not a native. Flowers blue, in 
small, close clusters, with stamens with long filaments. [As described in the genus Asperula.] 
Fruit smooth, without hairs. Stems 3-12 inches high, weak and slightly hairy, with very narrow 
leaves with hairy margins, 6-8 in a circle round each joint. 
Very rare. An escape from cultivation. June — July. Perennial. 
FIELD MADDER. (SHERARDIA, LINN.) — Differing from the Bedstraws in having the long 
tube, like the Woodruff, and fruit crowned with the calyx -teeth. A genus consisting of only one 
species — 
Common Field Madder. (Sherardia arvensis, Linn.)— Flowers £ inch across, pale 
lilac, stalkless, 4-8 growing in round, flat clusters, surrounded by a number of leaf-like bracts. 
Sepals 4-6, combined with the seedcase and separating into 5 teeth ; petals 4, united at the 
base into a long tube and separating into 4 spreading lobes ; stamens 4. Fruit small, dry, round, 
2- celled, crowned with the 4-6 calyx-teeth, separating when ripe into 2 1 -seeded cases. Stems 
3- 18 inches high, square, hairy, numerous, spreading; with narrow leaves, abruptly pointed, hairy, 
4- 6 in a circle round each joint. \Plate 61. 
Common. In waste places, sides of fields, and cultivated ground. May — October. Annual. 
