BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
195 
GENUS III. 
THE RED VALERIAN. (Centranthus, Dec.) 
Lin. Syst. MONANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Corolla five-lobed, regular, with a spur. Stamon one. Fruit one-celled, crowned with the limb of the calyx, 
which changes into a feathery pappus. (Dec.) 
Description, &c. —This genus has been separated from Valeriana , partly on account of its having only one 
stamen, and partly from the flower terminating in a spur. The name of the genus alludes to the latter 
peculiarity; the word Centranthus signifying a spurred flower. This genus is placed in the Linnaean class and 
order Monandria Monogynia, from its single stamen and single style. 
1.-—-THE COMMON RED VALERIAN. (Centranthus latifolius, Dufresne.) 
Synonyme. —Valeriana rubra, Lin. Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1531 ; 2nd ed., t. 37. 
Specific Character.— Leaves ovate-lanceolate. ( Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —This very beautiful plant grows in the greatest profusion in the old chalk-pits in Kent, 
particularly on the banks of the Thames. It also frequently grows on ruined walls ; but it appears only to 
thrive where it can have access to chalk or lime. It is a perennial, and flowers all the summer. 
CHAPTER XLVII. 
THE SCABIOUS FAMILY. (Dipsace^, Just.) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx superior, membranous, resem¬ 
bling pappus ; surrounded by a scarious involucellum. Corolla mono- 
petalous, tubular, inserted on the calyx ; limb oblique, four or five- 
lobed, with an imbricated aestivation. Stamens usually four or five, 
alternate with the lobes of the corolla ; anthers distinct. Ovarium 
inferior, one-celled, with a single, pendulous ovulum ; style one ; 
stigma simple. Fruit dry, various, indehiscent, one-celled, crowned 
by the pappus-like calyx; embryo straight in the axis of fleshy albumen; 
radicle superior.—Herbaceous plants or under-shrubs. Leaves opposite 
or whorled. Flowers collected upon a common receptacle, and sur¬ 
rounded by a many-leaved involucrum. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —There are three British genera in this order, two of which were formerly included in the 
genus Scabiosa. They are all in the Linnsean class and order Tetrandria Monogynia, having each four stamens 
and a single style. 
GENUS I. 
THE TEASEL. (Dipsacus, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Involucellum with four sides, and eight little I tudinal. Leaflets of the involucrum longer than the bractese. Recep- 
exeavations. Calyx with a somewhat cyathiform limb. Stigma longi- | tacle with spiny palete. (Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —The British species belonging to this genus are herbaceous plants, with small flowers 
collected in large terminal heads, and broad connate leaves, which contain a considerable quantity of 
water in their hollow, and hence give rise to the scientific name of the genus; the word Dipsacus signifying 
to be thirsty. 
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