BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 1 
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§ 3. —Stem and branches, if any, forked, leafy. 
4.—THE NIGHT-FLOWERING CATCHFLY. (Silene noctiflora, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 291; 2nd ed., t. 627. I cloven, abrupt scale. Calyx with ten hairy ribs; its teeth linear, 
Specific Character.— Stem forked. Petals cloven, each with a | almost as long as the tube. ( Smith .) 
Description, &c. —This is an annual plant, growing from one to two feet high, and flowering in July. It 
is easily distinguished from the other species by the peculiar construction of its calyx, which is formed of ten 
hairy, connecting ribs. The petals are of a pale pink or white, and they are rolled inwards during the day, but 
expand at night, at which time the flowers become very sweet-scented. It is only found in sandy soils; but in 
such situations it is tolerably abundant, particularly in the neighbourhood of Lichfield, and in other parts of the 
midland counties of England, where the soil is sandy. 
THE CORN CATCHFLY. (S. conica, Lin.) 
This is an annual plant, which is only found in Kent, in the vicinity of Sandown Castle ; but it has grown 
there for the last hundred years, or more. The flowers are purple, but very small, and have no particular 
beauty; and the calyx is large, and tapering upwards from the base. It flowers in July. It takes its name 
from the curious, conical shape of the calyx. S. conoidea , Lin., is supposed to be a variety of this species. 
§ 4.— Panicle forked, corymbose, leafless. 
5. —LOEEL’S CATCHFLY. (Silene armeria, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1398 ; 2nd ed., t. 628. Calyx and leaves smooth. Capsule not longer than its stalk. 
Specific Character. — Panicles forked, level-topped, many- (Smith.) 
flowered. Petals cloven, each with a double awl-shaped scale. 
Description, &c. —This plant is very well known as a garden flower ; and it is found occasionally wild in 
England on the hedge-banks of fields, and on old walls. It takes its name from L’Obel, a native of Flanders, 
who was botanist to James I. Armeria is the botanic name of the Thrift, which has its flowers in panicles, 
somewhat like those of this plant. The species is sometimes called the Wild Sweet William. It is an annual, 
and flowers in July and August. 
§ 5 .—Stem panicled, imperfectly forked. 
6.— THE NOTTINGHAM CATCHFLY. (Silene nutans, Lin.) 
Synonymes.—S. paradoxa, Smith ; Cucubalus viscosus, Huds. forked branches. Petals deeply cloven, with linear segments, and 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 465 ; 2nd ed., t. 625. acute, cloven scales. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, downy. (Smith.) 
Specific Character. —Panicle with drooping, unilateral, partly- 
Description, &c. —This species has received its popular name from its being particularly abundant near 
Nottingham. It is, however, found in various other parts of the kingdom, but always growing on limestone 
rocks at some distance from the sea. It is rather a gloomy-looking plant, but it has an elegant appearance from 
the graceful curl of its flower-stem. It bears some slight resemblance to the Sea Campion, but it is easily 
distinguished from that plant by its calyx not being bladdery. It is a perennial, and flowers in June and July. 
THE DOVER CATCHFLY. (S. patens, Peete.) 
a his is supposed to be a variety of the preceding species. 
