We have already noticed the Lesser Skull-cap (p. [275]), which is rather common on damp heaths, and there is another British member of the same genus—the Common Skull-cap (Scutellaria galericulata)—that is frequently seen on the banks of streams and in other wet places. The latter is a slightly downy plant, with a creeping stock, and a slender, branched stem from eight to sixteen inches high. Its leaves are opposite, as in other plants of the same order (Labiatæ), with very short stalks, and crenate or slightly-toothed edges. The flowers are in pairs in the axils of the leaves, almost sessile, and all turned towards the same side of the stem. On the back of the two-lipped calyx is a hollow, scale-like projection which gave rise to the popular name, for when the corolla falls, the lips of the calyx close over the ripening fruit, and the projection above mentioned then presents somewhat the appearance of a cap. The corolla is over half an inch long, of a dull blue colour without, but much paler inside. This plant flowers from July to September.
On the banks of streams and ditches we may often meet with the Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)—a coarse and rough but pretty plant belonging to the Boraginaceæ. It has a stout, branching stem, two or three feet high; and the stem-leaves extend downward on its surface forming wing-like ridges. The lower leaves are stalked, broader than the upper ones, generally from six to eight inches long; and all the leaves are rough with bristly hairs. The flowers are of a yellowish white or, sometimes, of a purple colour, and are arranged in forked, drooping, one-sided racemes. The calyx is deeply cleft into five lobes; and the corolla consists of a tubular portion, the top of which is closed by five narrow, fringed scales; and, above this, a wider bell-shaped part, of about the same length, with five small, reflexed teeth. This plant blooms during May and June.
The Common Skull-Cap.
The Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris), of the order Primulaceæ is a beautiful river-side plant, common in most parts, flowering during July and August. Its stem is stout, erect, branched, slightly downy, from two to three feet high; and its leaves are ovate or lanceolate, sessile, and arranged in opposite pairs or in whorls of three or four. The flowers are rather large, of a bright yellow colour, dotted with orange, and arranged in a large, pyramidal, leafy panicle. The calyx is deeply cleft into five pointed segments with hairy margins; and the broadly bell-shaped corolla is deeply divided into five wide lobes. All the five stamens are united by their filaments, forming a kind of cup around the ovary.
The Comfrey.
There is another beautiful Loosestrife—the Purple Loosestrife—that is often seen on river-banks; but as it is not particularly partial to this habitat, but rather grows in marshes and wet places generally, it is described in another chapter ([XV]). It should be noted, however, that the two plants are not so nearly allied as the popular names suggest; for while the one described above is of the Primrose family, the latter is a member of the Lythraceæ, and differs in having a corolla of free petals.
Passing now to the order Polygonaceæ we have to note the Great Water Dock (Rumex Hydrolapathum)—a smooth plant, varying from three to six feet in height, much resembling other Common Docks in general appearance, but found almost always on the borders of streams and ponds. Its leaves are lanceolate in form, usually pointed, and either flat or slightly curled at the margins. The upper ones taper down into the stalk; but the lower ones, which are from one to two feet long, are often heart-shaped at the base. The reddish-green flowers are closely-whorled, and form long panicles. The perianth is cleft into six parts, of which the three outer are smaller and covered with little tubercles, while the inner become enlarged and close over the triangular fruit. Each flower has six stamens and three very short styles. This plant is in flower during July and August.