s i [ 9iS ]
AC T ^EA fpicata.
Herb Chrijiopher; or Bane Berries.
POLYANDRIA Monogyma.
G en. Ch a r. Cal. of 4 leaves. Pet. 4 . Berry fuperior,
of 1 cell. Seeds numerous, flat.
S pec. Char. Clufter of flowers ovate.
S yn. Afiasa fpicata. Linn. Sp. Pi. 722. Sm. FI.
Brit. 562. Hudf. 228. With. 483. Hull. 113.
Chriftophoriana. Raii Syn. 262.
T H I S very rare plant is fcarcely to be met with in Britain,
except among the wild mountainous woods and thickets of
the north-weft part of Yorkfhire. Our fpecimen, gathered
at King Arthur’s force, near Afkrigg, in that county, was
communicated by Mr. W . Brunton, flowering in May.
The root is creeping and perennial. Whole plant fmooth,
or very flightly pubefcent, about a foot and half high, upright.
Stem triangular, leafy, but little branched. Leaves on ftalks,
twice or thrice ternate, the leaflets ovate, unequally and fharply
ferrated and lobed. Flowers white, in a terminal, folitary,
ovate, Ample clufter or fpike, upon the form of which, oppofed
to the very long many-flowered cylindrical clufters of the
other fpecies of A£taa, Linnasus founds his fpeciflc character.
The partial flower-ftalks are undivided, downy, each fund died
at the bafe with a fmall ovate braftea. Calyx of 4 concave
leaves, which fall off very foon after they expand. Petals fpa-
tulate. Stamina tapering, round. Antherae approaching to
the ftru£ture of thofe of the Epimedium, fee our 7 th vol. t. 438,
to which we cannot help thinking this plant allied. Germen
oval, with a round feflile ftigma. Berries purplifh-black,
juicy, containing feveral feeds.
The berries, and indeed the whole herb, which is foetid and
naufeous, are univerfally allowed to be poifonous.