376 



HOTANKWL SURVEY OF DISMAL SWAMP KKiiloN. 



able size, usually about a meter (.'> feet) high (fig. <>X). The somewhat 

 one-aided panicles bend in a graceful manner. The largo form of 

 Spartina patens (jtineea) sometimes grows on and among the dunes. 

 The other predominant herbaceous plants are mostly small, and are 

 best, developed in the depressions and on the sides of 1 he dunes. Short- 

 rooted annual or biennial species, with prostrate sit-ins forming mats, 

 such as Oenothera humifiisa, Kuphorbia polygon if olict, Triplasis pur- 

 purea^ Molluyo rerficillata, and Diodia tins, are abundant, the last 



Fkj. 08.— Punicum, uinurum anions tho duuva near Ocoauviow, Va. 



attaining an unusual size. Depauperate hinaria vanadi n.si.s (mostly 

 H to 12 centimeters (H too inches) high) is conspicuous in spring with 

 its bright blue flowers, but disappears by midsummer. It is probably 

 a winter annual. 1 1 1 naphaliu m jm rpu r< inn , a biennial species, is not 



1 The small si/o and early maturity of this species is what would be expected 

 from its lack of special adaptations to the strand environment. It is in this respect 

 similar to many annuals of the deserts, as described by Volkens (Flora der iigypt- 

 arab. Whsten, pp. 20, 40) and Coville (C'ontr. IT. S. Natl. Herb. 4:44, 45). 



