Ricotia
(probably named after M. Ricot, an obscure botanist). ORD. Cruciferae. A small genus (four species) of closely-allied, hardy, glabrous, branched herbs, natives of North Africa, Syria, and Asia Minor. Flowers pale lilac, in elongated, ebracteate racemes; sepals valvate, the lateral ones saccate at base; petals obcordate, unguiculate. Pods sessile, oblong, much compressed. Leaves almost bipinnatisect. R. Lunaria, the only species known in gardens, is a pretty annual, well adapted for ornamenting rockwork. A light, sandy soil suits it best. Seeds should be sown either on the rockwork or in the open border.
R. Lunaria (moon-podded). fl., petals lilac, with white claws; pedicles filiform. June and July. Pods ovate-lanceolate. l. with oblong, sinuated, angular lobes. h. 9in. Syria, Egypt, 1757. (B. R. 49, under name of R. aegyptiaca.)