This is one of our most curious wild plants. It is common in England and
Ireland, but rare in Scotland. It grows on hedge banks and in open
woods, and blooms in late spring and early summer.
The large glossy leaves are arrow-shaped, and they are covered all over
with dark purple blotches.
From amongst them rises a pale green twisted sheath, which is completely
closed when in bud. Like the leaves, it is spotted all over with purple
blotches, and the edges are stained a pale yellow-brown.
Inside this sheath rises a tall narrow purple cone, on a stout green
stalk. Fastened round this green stalk are three curious collars.
First comes a collar of tiny green pear-shaped glands, of which nobody
knows the use. Then comes a purple collar made up of stamen heads
without any stalks.
And a little way below these there is a deep band of round green
seed-vessels like small beads. These are hidden in the lower part of the
green sheath; but in autumn they grow much larger, and soon burst open
the covering sheath. Then they turn into beautiful scarlet berries.
These berries are very poisonous.
The root of the Cuckoopint is a rough brown knob with many white
rootlets hanging from it.
Plate XXVIII: 1. COMMON MARE'S TAIL 2. COMMON BUTTERBUR
3. GREATER BURDOCK