TETRANDRIA Monogynia.
G en. Char. Cal. 4-cleft.' Cor. 4-cleft, inferior 5
its limb reflexed. Stamina very long. Caps, with
2 cells, bursting all round.
Spec. Char. Leaves ovate, downy, depressed, .with
very short footstalks. Stalk round. Spike cylindrical.
Seeds solitary.
Syn . Plantago media. Linn. Sp. PL 163. Sm. FI.
Brit. 183. ILuds. 63. With. 196. Hull. 34.
Beth. 59. Sihth. 56. Abbot. 31. Curt. Lond.
fasc. 4. t. 14.
P. major incana. Rail Syn. 314.
T h i s is extremely common, and not unornamental on dry
chalky hills and pastures, flowering throughout the summer.
In lawns on a dry soil it is often a great nuisance, occupying
much space, and leaving unpleasant vacancies when eradicated.
The Rev. Mr. Watts of Ashill, who is possessed of one of
the finest grass-plats in England, has found it worth while to
apply a drop of oil of vitriol on the crown of each of the roots
of this plant, to destroy it effectually.
The root is perennial, very large and woody. Leaves pressed
close to the ground, ovate, about 5-ribbed, entire, downy
and hoary, more or less blunt. Footstalks broad and short.
Flowerstalks_ tall, hoary. Spike much thicker and shorter
than in P. major. Filaments long, conspicuous for their
pale purple, shining hue. Antherse whitish, pointed. Seeds
only one in each cell of the capsule.