Part 9

After the flowers are withered, the seeds still cling to the end of the stalk, and each seed is winged with a tuft of dingy white cotton down. When the seeds are ripe, the wind blows them away from the plant.

3. VIPER'S BUGLOSS

The first thing you will notice about the Viper's Bugloss is the way the rows of flower-buds curl like a scorpion.

The plant is common in most parts of the country, in waste places, by shingly sea beaches, and on chalky soil. It flowers in summer and autumn.

The Viper's Bugloss is a stout, upright plant, with a curious pale green hairy stem, which is dotted all over with red spots. From this thick stem others, small and thin, branch on alternate sides, and drooping from the end of each stem is a double row of bright pink buds. The pair of buds nearest the main stem open first, and when in full bloom the flowers are usually bright blue, but sometimes you will find them deep purple or white. These flowers are bell-shaped and they open wide at the mouth, which is unevenly divided into five graceful points.

Each flower sits in a green calyx-cup edged with five sharply pointed teeth.

There is a row of narrow green pointed leaves, standing up like a cockscomb behind each row of flowers. These leaves curl over at the tip, along with the buds, and they uncurl as the flowers open.

The leaves of the Viper's Bugloss are rough and hairy, with smooth edges.

PLATE XLVIII: 1. RED POPPY 2. SCARLET PIMPERNEL 3. COMMON SORREL

1. RED POPPY

The Red Poppy is known and beloved by children. You find it in all parts of the country in summer and autumn, growing among the corn, on the railway banks and under the hedges.

The flower has four bright red petals, and of these the two outer are larger than the two inner.

These petals are soft and silky, with wavy edges. When they first burst their green covering they are tightly folded and are much crinkled all over. But after a day in the sunshine they unfold, and all the crinkles disappear.

Sometimes you find a bright purple spot at the bottom of each scarlet petal.

In the centre of the flower sits a curious green cup with a lid, and this lid is covered with dark rays which look like the legs of a spider. This green cup is the seed-vessel, and as soon as the seeds are ripe, they pour out through a row of little holes which open just beneath the green lid.

There is a ring of black-headed stamens standing up all round the green seed-cup.

The Red Poppy has two green sepals. These are very thin and hairy, and they drop off almost as soon as the flower opens.

Each Poppy grows on a long slender stalk which is covered with hairs. The leaves are divided into many narrow fingers, and they are rough and hairy.

2. SCARLET PIMPERNEL

This fragile plant is very common. You find it in cultivated fields as well as by the roadside and in waste places. It blooms in summer and autumn.

This Scarlet Pimpernel is one of our few red flowers. It has five round scarlet petals, which are joined together like a wheel. In the centre of the wheel there is a seed-vessel, the size of a tiny green pea, and closely clustered round its thread-like pillar are five yellow-headed stamens. The slender stalks of the stamens are covered with hairs, and so are the edges of the scarlet petals.

The calyx consists of five narrow green sepals, with sharp points: these you can see appearing between the edges of the petals as you look down into the flower.

Each flower grows singly on a short, fine stalk, and these flower-stalks always rise between a leaf and the stem. The stem is four-sided, and it is very easily broken. It is a very feeble stem, and straggles along the ground.

The leaves of the Scarlet Pimpernel are small and oval, with smooth edges and blunt points. They have fine lines running from base to tip, and underneath they are a blue-green colour, with little dots all over them.

3. COMMON SORREL

You find the dull crimson Sorrel everywhere. It grows in meadows and pastures and open woods, and it is abundant all spring and summer.

The flowers are small and unattractive. They grow on a spike in whorls or circles, with five to eight flowers in each circle, and these circles are separated at short distances.

Each flower droops from a tiny stalk. It has three narrow green sepals, which fold back close to the stalk when the seed is ripening. Inside these sepals are three dull crimson petals, also small and narrow. But when the flowering time is past, these three petals grow broad and oval, and become thicker, and at the base of each petal you see a tiny swelling, which is the seed.

The stem of the Common Sorrel is tinged with pink. It is ribbed all over, and is very juicy. Both it and the leaves are acid to taste and are often eaten in salads.

The leaves are quite smooth, with the edges uncut. They are dark green above, but much lighter underneath. Each leaf is shaped like an arrow-head, and those close to the root have a long stalk.

INDEX

Agrimony, Common, 23.

Alkanet, Evergreen, 144.

Anemone, Wood, 47.

Angelica, Wild, 56.

Asphodel, Bog, 39.

Aster, Sea, 147.

Autumnal Hawkbit, 25.

Avens, Common, 15.

Avens, Water, 99.

Bedstraw, Yellow, 32.

Bethlehem, Star of, 73.

Bindweed, Small, 128.

Birdsfoot Trefoil, 17.

Biting Stonecrop, 31.

Black Knapweed, 107.

Bladder Campion, Common, 79.

Bluebell or Harebell, 138.

Blue Bottle or Corn Flower, 135.

Blue Meadow Crane's-bill, 133.

Bog Asphodel, 39.

Borage, Common, 143.

Broad-leaved Willow Herb, 130.

Brooklime Speedwell, 141.

Broom, 12.

Bryony, Red-berried, 84.

Bugle, Common, 112.

Bugloss, Viper's, 148.

Burdock, Greater, 89.

Burnet Rose, 125.

Butterbur, Common, 88.

Buttercup, Bulbous, 2.

Buttercup, Meadow, 3.

Butterwort, Common, 111.

Campion, Common Bladder, 79.

Campion, Red, 117.

Campion, Sea, 80.

Carrot, Sea, 61.

Celandine, Lesser, 1.

Chervil, Wild, 60.

Chickweed, Common, 52.

Chickweed, Mouse-eared, 53.

Chickweed, Wintergreen, 85.

Cinquefoil, Creeping, 21.

Cinquefoil, Marsh, 98.

Cleavers or Goosegrass, 66.

Clover, Red, 123.

Coltsfoot, 27.

Comfrey, Common, 43.

Corn Cockle, 131.

Corn Flower or Blue Bottle, 135.

Cow Parsnip, 59.

Cowslip, 38.

Crane's-bill, Blue Meadow, 133.

Crane's-bill, Dove's-foot, 118.

Cress, Hairy Rock, 51.

Cross-leaved Pink Heath, 132.

Crosswort, 30.

Crowfoot, Water, 48.

Cuckoo Flower or Lady's Smock, 97.

Cuckoopint or Wake Robin, 86.

Daffodil, 42.

Daisy, 70.

Daisy, Ox-eye, 69.

Dandelion, Common, 35.

Dead Nettle, White, 82.

Dog Rose, 124.

Dog's Mercury, 94.

Dog Violet, 100.

Dove's-foot Crane's-bill, 118.

Dropwort, Hemlock Water, 58.

Early Purple Orchis, 109.

Evergreen Alkanet, 144.

Everlasting, Mountain, 45.

Eyebright, Common, 81.

Field Gentian, 146.

Field Scabious, 105.

Figwort, Knotty, 92.

Fingers, Lady's, 19.

Forget-me-not, Great Water, 142.

Foxglove, 129.

Fumitory, Common, 115.

Gentian, Field, 146.

Germander Speedwell, 140.

Goatsbeard, Yellow, 26.

Golden Saxifrage, Opposite-leaved, 10.

Goosegrass or Cleavers, 66.

Gorse or Whin, 11.

Goutweed, 55.

Grass of Parnassus, 78.

Grass, Scurvy, 50.

Greater Burdock, 89.

Greater Stitchwort, 54.

Great Water Forget-me-not, 142.

Great Wild Valerian, 127.

Ground Ivy, 113.

Groundsel, Common, 28.

Hairy Rock Cress, 51.

Hairy Water Mint, 114.

Harebell or Bluebell, 138.

Harrow, Rest, 121.

Hawkbit, Autumnal, 25.

Heartsease, 101.

Heath, Cross-leaved Pink, 132.

Heather or Common Ling, 106.

Hedge Mustard, 7.

Hedge Parsley, Upright, 57.

Hemlock, Common, 62.

Hemlock, Water Dropwort, 58.

Herb-Robert, 119.

Holly, Sea, 139.

Honeysuckle, 40.

Hop Trefoil, 18.

Horned Poppy, Yellow, 8.

Hyacinth, Wood, 145.

Intermediate Wintergreen, 77.

Iris, Yellow Water, 41.

Ivy, Ground, 113.

Joy, Traveller's, 46.

Knapweed, Black, 107.

Knotty Figwort, 92.

Lady's Fingers, 19.

Lady's Mantle, 93.

Lady's Smock, 97.

Lesser Celandine, 1.

Ling, Common, or Heather, 106.

Loose-strife, Purple, 110.

Lousewort, or Red Rattle, 126.

Mallow, Common, 102.

Mantle, Lady's, 93.

Mare's Tail, Common, 87.

Marsh Cinquefoil, 98.

Marsh Marigold, 4.

Marsh Pennywort, 76.

Marsh Plume Thistle, 104.

Mayweed, Scentless, 71.

Meadow Buttercup, 3.

Meadow Crane's-bill, Blue, 133.

Meadow Sweet, 63.

Meadow Vetchling, 20.

Mercury, Dog's, 94.

Mignonette, Wild, 34.

Milkwort, 134.

Millfoil, or Yarrow, 68.

Mint, Hairy Water, 114.

Mossy Saxifrage, 75.

Mountain Everlasting, 45.

Mouse-eared Chickweed, 53.

Mouse Tail, 90.

Mugwort, 33.

Mustard, Hedge, 7.

Mustard, Wild, 6.

Needle Whin, 13.

Nettle, Common, 95.

Nettle, White Dead, 82.

Nipplewort, Common, 24.

Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, 10.

Orchis, Early Purple, 109.

Orchis, Spotted, 83.

Ox-eye Daisy, 69.

Parnassus, Grass of, 78.

Parsley, Upright Hedge, 57.

Parsnip, Cow, 59.

Pennywort, Marsh, 76.

Pimpernel, Scarlet, 150.

Pink Heath, Cross-leaved, 132.

Plantain, Ribwort, 91.

Plume Thistle, Marsh, 104.

Poppy, Red, 149.

Poppy, Yellow Horned, 8.

Primrose, 37.

Purple Loose-strife, 110.

Purple Orchis, 109.

Purple Sea Rocket, 96.

Purse, Shepherd's, 49.

Ragged Robin, 116.

Ragwort, Common, 29.

Ransoms, 74.

Red-berried Bryony, 84.

Red Campion, 117.

Red Clover, 123.

Red Poppy, 149.

Red Rattle, or Lousewort, 126.

Rest Harrow, 121.

Ribwort Plantain, 91.

Robert, Herb, 119.

Rock Cress, Hairy, 51.

Rocket, Purple Sea, 96.

Rock Rose, 9.

Rose, Burnet, 125.

Rose, Dog, 124.

Saintfoin, 122.

St. John's Wort, 14.

Saxifrage, Mossy, 75.

Saxifrage, Opposite-leaved Golden, 10.

Scabious, Field, 105.

Scarlet Pimpernel, 150.

Scentless Mayweed, 71.

Scotch Thistle, 103.

Scurvy Grass, 50.

Sea Aster, 147.

Sea Campion, 80.

Sea Carrot, 61.

Sea Holly, 139.

Sea Rocket, Purple, 96.

Shepherd's Purse, 49.

Silver Weed, 22.

Small Bindweed, 128.

Smock, Lady's, 97.

Sneezewort Yarrow, 44.

Snowdrop, 72.

Sorrel, Common, 151.

Sorrel, Wood, 65.

Speedwell, Brooklime, 141.

Speedwell, Germander, 140.

Spotted Orchis, 83.

Star of Bethlehem, Common, 73.

Stitchwort, Greater, 54.

Stonecrop, Biting, 31.

Stork's Bill, 120.

Strawberry, Wild, 64.

Succory, Wild, 137.

Sweet, Meadow, 63.

Tail, Common Mare's, 87.

Tail, Mouse, 90.

Tansy, 36.

Thistle, Marsh Plume, 104.

Thistle, Scotch, 103.

Thyme, Wild, 108.

Tormentil, 16.

Traveller's Joy, 46.

Trefoil, Birdsfoot, 17.

Trefoil, Hop, 18.

Tufted Vetch, 136.

Upright Hedge Parsley, 57.

Valerian, Great Wild, 127.

Vetchling, Meadow, 20.

Vetch, Tufted, 136.

Violet, Dog, 100.

Viper's Bugloss, 148.

Wake Robin, or Cuckoopint, 86.

Wallflower, 5.

Water Avens, 99.

Water Crowfoot, 48.

Water Dropwort, Hemlock, 58.

Water Mint, Hairy, 114.

Water Iris, Yellow, 41.

Weed, Silver, 22.

Whin, or Gorse, 11.

Whin, Needle, 13.

White Dead Nettle, 82.

Wild Angelica, 56.

Wild Chervil, 60.

Wild Mignonette, 34.

Wild Mustard, 6.

Wild Strawberry, 64.

Wild Succory, 137.

Wild Thyme, 108.

Wild Valerian, Great, 127.

Willow Herb, Broad-leaved, 130.

Wintergreen, Chickweed, 85.

Wintergreen, Intermediate, 77.

Wood Anemone, 47.

Wood Hyacinth, 145.

Woodruff, 67.

Wood Sorrel, 65.

Wort, St. John's, 14.

Yarrow, or Millfoil, 68.

Yarrow, Sneezewort, 44.

Yellow Bedstraw, 32.

Yellow Goatsbeard, 26.

Yellow Horned Poppy, 8.

Yellow Water Iris, 41.

Edinburgh: Printed by T. and A. Constable

End of Project Gutenberg's Flowers Shown to the Children, by C. E. Smith