BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
173 
GENUS XXXYI. 
THE BLADDER-SEED. (Physospermum, Cusson.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx a five-toothed margin. Petals obovate, 
somewhat emarginate, indexed. Fruit contracted at the side, double. 
Carpella roundish, uniform, with five fine equal ridges, of which the 
lateral are placed within the margin. Channels with single vittse. 
Seed involute, lunate.—Universal and partial involucra manv-leaved. 
Flowers white. ( Lindley .) 
Description, &c. —The Cornish Bladder-seed (P. cornubi&nse) is a very singular plant, which has only been 
found in the fields near Bodmin, in Cornwall, and which is the sole representative of the genus. The seed lies 
loose in the cavity of the carpellum, and hence the plant has received both its English and its generic name ; the 
latter being derived from two Greek words which signify bladder-seed. 
GENUS XXXVII. 
THE PRICKLY SAMPHIRE. (Echinophora, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx a five-toothed margin. Petals obovate, 
emarginate, inflexed, or the external larger than the rest and bifid. 
Flowers of the ray male with long stalks, of the centre a solitary 
female. Fruit ovate, nearly taper, included in a hollow receptacle, 
with a short projecting beak. Carpella with five, equal, depressed, 
wavy, streaked ridges. Channels with single vittse, which are covered 
by an arachnoid membrane.—Involucra both of many leaves. ( Lindl .) 
Description, Sec. —There is only one species in this genus, and that is a doubtful native. It is a perennial 
plant, growing on the sea-coast, and flowering in July. The roots taste like parsneps ; but the stem is so bushy, 
and so beset with spiny leaves, that it is difficult to approach the plant. Echinophora is derived from two Greek 
words, signifying to bear a hedgehog; in allusion to the spiny leaves of the plant. 
GENUS XXXVIII. 
THE ALEXANDERS. (Smyrnium, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx an obsolete margin. Petals lanceolate, 
or elliptical, entire, with a long inflexed point. Fruit contracted at the 
sides, double. Carpella roundish, reniform, with the three dorsal 
Description, &c. —There is only one species in this 
ridges prominent and sharp ; the two lateral forming an obscure margin. 
Channels with many vittas. Seed involute.—Involucra various. 
(Lindley.) 
genus which is a native of Britain, and it was formerly 
used as a potherb. Smyrnium is derived from Myrrh , in allusion to the smell of the bruised leaves. 
1.—THE COMMON ALEXANDERS. (Smyrnium Olusatrum, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 230; 2nd ed., t. 440; and our fig. 8, I Specific Character. — Stem-leaves ternate, stalked, serrated, 
in PI. 38. I (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This is a biennial plant, growing vigorously in many parts of the kingdom, and 
flowering in May and June. The whole plant is greenish ; but the flowers and flower-leaves have a warm 
yellowish tint, which harmonises very well with the deep green of the lower part of the plant, and gives a shaded 
