150 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 



49. PHYTOLACCACEAE. Pokeweed Family. 



1. PHYTOLACCA L. 



1. Phytolacca americana L. Pokeweed. 



Common in rich moist soil or waste ground. June-Sept. Eastern U. S. (P. 

 decandra L.) 



The young shoots are used as "greens," and are seen abundantly in Washington 

 markets. The roots are used medicinally. 



50. AIZOACEAE. Carpetweed Family. 



1. MOLLUGO L. 



1. Mollugo verticillata L. • Carpetweed. 



Sandy fields or waste ground ; common. July-Sept. U. S. and Mex. 



51. PORTTJLACACEAE. Purslane Family. 



Leaves all clustered at the base of the stem, the blades terete. Plants perennial; 



petals rose-colored; capsule opening by 3 valves 1. TALINUM. 



Leaves not all clustered at the base of the stem, each stem bearing 2 or numerous 

 leaves, the blades flat or terete. 

 Leaves numerous on each stem; annuals with terete or wedge-shaped leaves; petals 

 usually yellow or red; flowers axillary; capsule opening by a lid. 



2. PORTULACA. 



Leaves 2 on each stem; perennials with tuberous roots, the leaves nearly linear, 



flat; petals pink; flowers in loose terminal racemes: capsule opening by 



3 valves 3. CLAYTONIA. 



1. TALINUM Adans. 



1. Talinum teretifolium Pursh. Fame flower. 



Reported by Holm from a "dry moorland beyond Silver Hill.' ' Eastern IT. S. 



2. PORTULACA L. 

 1. Portulaca oleracea L. Purslane. 



Common weed in cultivated ground. Flowering throughoutthe summer. U. S. and 

 tropical Amer. 



The plants are often cooked as "greens. " 



Portulaca grandijlora Hook., with flowers 2-3 cm. wide and terete leaves, is common 

 in cultivation, and is sometimes found as a waif in waste ground. 



3. CLAYTONIA L. 



1. Claytonia virginica L. Spring beauty. 



Moist woods; common. March-May. Eastern N. Amer. 

 The flowers are shown in plate 17 A. 



52. COKRIGIOLACEAE. Whitlow-wort Family. 



Leaves elliptic or oblong. Plants annual; stipules present; sepals not awned. 



1. ANYCHIA. 

 Leaves narrowly linear. 

 Sepals tipped with short spinclike awns; stipules present, white and scariru?; 



plants perennial 2. PARONYCHIA. 



Sepals notawned; stipules wanting; plants annual 3. SCLERANTHUS. 



