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O E N A N T H E fiftulofa.
Common Water-dropwort.
P E N J A N D R 1 A Digynia.
G en. C har. Florets irregular: thofe of the diflt fef-
file and barren. Fruit crowned with the calyx.
Spec. Char. Root fending forth runners. Stem-
leaves pinnated, cylindrical, tubular. General
involucrum, for the moft part, wanting.
Syn . Oenanthe fiftulofa. Linn. Sp, PI. 365. Hudf,
FI. An. 121. With. Bot, Arr, 256, Relh. Cant,
1 1 7. Sibth. Ox. 98.
O. aquatica. Raii Syn. 210.
E X C E E D IN G L Y common in wet ditches, ponds and rivers,
flowering in July. The root is fibrous and perennial, fending
forth under water feveral creeping runners, by which it is in-
creafed, and throwing up tall branching items to a confider-
able height above the furface. Thefe items are tubular, con-
trafted at the joints, ftriated, of a glaucous hue. Radical
leaves bipinnate; the leaflets flat, wedge-lhaped and lobed:
ftem-leaves alternate, pinnate; their leaflets and common foot-
ftalks cylindrical and hollow. Umbels on long, ftrong, alternate
ftalks, lateral and terminal: general rays from 3 to 7 or 8,
moftly naked, but fometimes furnilhed with one linear leaf of
an involucrum : partial umbels with many rays, and a partial
involucrum of feveral membranous leaves. Calyx-teeth fharp
and always fpreading. Petals very unequal, with incurved
points. Stamina long. Styles after impregnation much elongated,
and erect, giving the ripening umbels a bur-like appearance.
Stigmas capitate.
The variety 0 of Hudfon is a very trifling one. Dr. Stokes
obferves that in fome fituatiUns this fpecies acquires the habit of
O. pimpinelloides, but may be readily known by the want of a
general involucrum. We prefume this remark alludes to our
O. peucedanifelia, fee t. 348.