BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
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GENUS I. 
THE EPILOBIUM. (Epilobium, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx tubular, with a 4-parted limb, which 
falls off after flowering. Petals 4. Stamens 8. Capsule linear, 
bluntly 4-cornered, with four cells, four valves, and many seeds. 
Seeds pappose. Herbaceous plants. Leaves opposite, or alternate. 
Flowers axillary and solitary, or terminal in spikes, purple or rose- 
colour. ( Lindley .) 
Description, &c. —The plants belonging to this genus are some of the commonest of our British weeds, and 
they spring up in astonishing abundance wherever the ground happens to be moist and somewhat rich. The 
name of Epilobium, is from two Greek words, signifying upon the pod, in allusion to the position of the flower, 
which appears to be seated upon the seed-vessel. The genus is placed in the Linmean class Octandria, on account 
of its eight stamens ; and in the order Monogynia, from its single seed-vessel. 
* Flowers irregular. 
1.—THE PERSIAN, OR FRENCH WILLOW HERB. (Epilobium angustifolium, Lin.) 
Synonyme. —The Rose-bay Willow Herb. Specific Character. —Leaves scattered, linear-lanceolate, veiny, 
Engravings. — Eng. Bot., t. 1947; 2nd ed., t. 542; and our fig. 1, smooth. Petals unequal. Stamens declining. (Smith.) 
in PI. 37. 
Description, &c.— This is one of the most showy of the British wild flowers ; and it may be seen growing 
to a considerable height, and producing abundance of its bright purple flowers, in every piece of marshy ground 
throughout the kingdom, in the months of July and August. 
* * Flowers regular. Stigma deeply 4,-cleft. 
2. —CODLINGS AND CREAM. (Epilobium hirsutum, Lin.) 
Synonymes. —E. ramosum, Hudson ; the Great Hairy Willow Specific Character. —Leaves half clasping the stem, ovate, lanceo- 
Herb. late, hairy. Stem copiously branched. Root creeping. (Smith.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 838; 2nd ed., t. 543; and our fig. 
2, in PI. 37. 
Description, &c. —This species of Epilobium is, if possible, still more common than the French Willow 
Herb, and it is almost as ornamental. It is generally found in watery places; growing in ditches, or in half- 
dried pools, where its gay flowers are particularly acceptable from the dreary character of the surrounding- 
scenery. It is a perennial, and spreads rapidly by its creeping roots. The whole plant is hairy, and slightly 
sticky when touched ; it has also a somewhat acid but agreeable smell, bearing considerable resemblance to that 
of apples, and hence its popular English name of Codlings and Cream. The flowers appear in July. The seed- 
pods, which, when unripe, look like the stalks of the flowers, are remarkably long in this plant. The Small- 
flowered Willow Herb (E. parvijlorum), is only distinguished from this species by its smaller flowers, narrower 
leaves, and unbranched stem. 
3.— THE BROAD SMOOTH-LEAVED WILLOW HERB. (Epilobium montanum, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1177 ; 2nd ed., t. 545 ; and our fig. i Specific Character. — Leaves stalked, ovate, toothed. Stem 
3, in PL 37. I round. Stigma iu four deep segments. (Smith.) 
Description, &c.— This plant differs from most of the other species in being only found in dry, stony 
situations ; whereas they almost always grow in marshy ground. It is a perennial, and produces its small rose- 
coloured flowers in July. The stem is crimson, and the leaves generally change to the same colour in autumn. 
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