Samphire (crithmum Maritimum Linn)


Like the members of the preceding group, the species of the Umbelliferae

are principally natives of mild climates of the old world, but many of

them extend farther north into the cold parts of the continent, even

beyond the Arctic Circle in some cases. They have cylindrical, usually

hollow stems; alternate, generally compound leaves the basis of whose

stalks ensheath the branches or stems; and small flowers almost always

> arranged in compound terminal umbels. The fruits are composed of two

seedlike dry carpels, each containing a single seed, and usually

separating when ripe. Each carpel bears five longitudinal prominent ribs

and several, often four, lesser intermediate ones, in the intervals

between which numerous oil ducts have their openings from the interior

of the fruit. The oil is generally found in more or less abundance also

in other parts of the plant, but is usually most plentiful in the

fruits.



The members of the Compositae used as sweet herbs are, with the exception

of tarragon, comparatively unimportant, and except for having their

flowers in close heads "on a common receptacle, surrounded by an

involucre," have few conspicuous characters in common. No further space

except that required for their enumeration need here be devoted to them.

And this remark will apply also to the other two herbs mentioned further

below.





COMPOSITAE



Marigold, Pot (Calendula officinalis, Linn.). Tansy (Tanacetum

vulgaris, Linn.). Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus, Linn.).



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