84 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
NOTES—Easily recognised by relatively large 
flower-head of small, purple flowers with two 
opposite leaves, adjacent, on same stem. Children 
will remember name easily from the words “prune” 
and “Ella” (girl's name). 
PENNYROYAL 
GENERAL—Perennial. Usually found in patches, 
sometimes covering several square feet of ground. 
LEAVES—Similar to those of the Prunella, but 
smaller; sometimes three or four joining the main 
stem at the same point. 
FLOWERS—Clusters of tiny mauve flowers 
grow at three or more different places on each of 
the plant stems. Strong, minty smell. These are 
the characteristics which distinguish it from the 
Prunella, which is frequently miscalled Pennyroyal. 
Stems, some trailing and some upright. 
NOTES—It is a bad weed for the pastures for 
two reasons: its “mat” habit of growth produces 
much waste land: its juice is harmful to stock, 
especially cows. 
FAIRY FLAX 
GENERAL—Also called “Wild Linseed” and 
“Wild Flax.” One- of the commonest of wild 
flowers in New Zealand. Found growing in waste 
places, by the road-side and in meadow-land. 
LEAVES—Insignificant, narrow, lance-shaped, | 
to 1 inch long. 
FLOWERS—5 pale blue petals on a long, thin, 
tough stem. These sooii fall, after flower is picked, 
