BRITISH WILD PLOAVERS. 
107 
1.—THE WILLOW HERB, OR COMMON PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE. (Lythrum Salicaria, Lin .) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1061 ; 2nd ed., t. 682 ; and our Jig. I Specific Character. —Leaves opposite, lanceolate ; heart-shaped at 
5, in PI. 24. I the base. Flowers in wliorled leafy spikes. Stamens twelve. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —In every pai’t of the kingdom where there is marshy land, roadside ditches, or shallow 
ponds, this plant may be found abundantly about July and August ; and its tall stems, which grow three or 
four feet high, terminating in long spikes of beautiful purple flowers, are extremely ornamental in a landscape. 
The plant is called the Willow Herb, from its tall straight stems, with their long narrow leaves, bearing, when 
not in flower, a considerable resemblance to a plantation of osiers or basket willows. The flowers are very 
curiously formed, the petals having a somewhat ragged and crumpled appearance, and the stamens are in two 
series, six long and six short, all within the tube of the calyx. The plant is a perennial. 
2_ THE HYSSOP-LEAVED LYTHRUM. (Lythrum hyssopifolium, Sibth .) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 292 ; 2nd ed., t. 683. 
Specific Character. —Leaves alternate, linear-lanceolate. Flowers axillary, solitary. Stamens six. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —A dwarf annual plant, which is only found in the eastern counties of England in 
partially dried up pools or other shallow stagnant water. It flowers in August. 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE BUCKTHORN FAMILY. (Rhamnacejs, Lindley .) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx monophyllous, 4-5 cleft, with 
a valvate aestivation. Petals distinct, cucullate, or convolute, inserted 
into the orifice of the calyx, occasionally wanting. Stamens opposite 
the petals. Disk fleshy. Ovarium superior, or half-superior, 2, 3, or 
4-celled ; ovula solitary, erect. Fruit fleshy, indeliiscent, or dry, 
separating in three divisions. Seeds erect; albumen fleshy, seldom 
wanting ; embryo about as long a9 the 9eed, with large flat cotyledons, 
and a short inferior radicle. Trees or shrubs, often spiny. Leaves 
simple, alternate, very seldom opposite, with minute stipulas. Flowers 
axillary or terminal. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —There is only one genus in this order which contains British plants. 
GENUS I. 
THE BUCKTHORN. (Rhamnus, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx urceolate, 4-5-cleft. Petals wanting, 4, distinct or united. Fruit fleshy, with 3 or 4, or in consequence of 
or emarginate. Anthers ovate, 2-celled. Disk thin, overspreading abortion 2, fibrous indeliiscent stones. (Brongniart.) 
the tube of the calyx. Ovarium superior, 3 or 4-celled. Styles 3 or 
Description, &c. —The only two species of this genus which are natives of Britain, are the Common 
Buckthorn, and the Berry-hearing Alder; both shrubs, with inconspicuous flowers, and rather handsome berries. 
The name of Rhamnus signifies a branch, in allusion to the shrubs composing the genus having numerous 
branches. The genus is placed in the Linnsean class Pentandria, on account of its five stamens ; and in the order 
Monogynia, from its single style. 
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