135 
two (I—3) short slender branches, or the outer branch elongated 
as a spreading prolongation of the stem and again branched. Oc- 
casionally a simple stem is developed, its spathe sometimes show- 
ing a slightly elongated outer bract. Leaves rather firm and stiff, 
narrow, I” wide or less, attenuate often arcuate, from 4-34 the 
length of the stem. Stem-leaf much smaller and narrower than 
in S. graminoides, scarcely or not at all broadened above. Branches 
slender, even filiform, narrowly margined, especially the outer one, 
1%4’-4’ long, mostly short and subequal, either parallel or some- 
what spreading, when branched again often widely spreading, 
geniculate at the node and bearing a secondary leaf. Stem and 
branches usually purple-spotted and slightly constricted at the 
nodes and below the spathes. Spathes as a rule plumper and 
more narrowed at the base than in S. graminoides, often deflected, 
the bracts subequal, somewhat membranous, usually purplish; 
outer bract commonly with white scarious margins extending to 
the tip; inner. bract 5-8” long, broader than in S. granunoides, 
the tip white-scarious, rounded or truncate, or even retuse, the 
midvein excurrent asa minute point. Hyaline floral scales mostly 
longer and broader than in S. graminoides, clear white. Divisions 
of perianth generally shorter and broader than in S. graminoides, 
4”-4%” long, 1144”-2%4” wide, finely pubescent on outer surface. 
Capsules 2-7, usually 5, oblong, 34’-114” wide, 1/’-2’’ long, at 
maturity more contiguous than in gvaminoides on shorter sub- 
erect pedicels, the valves usually thicker; pedicels often flattened 
and finely margined. Seeds .02~.04 inches in diameter, subglo- 
bose, dark, finely wrinkled-pitted to nearly smooth. (Plate 264). 
East Massachusetts to Florida, mostly near the coast in sandy 
soil, or about the borders of salt marshes. It may be either densely 
caespitose or of scattered growth. 
I have observed this plant closely for a number of years in — 
Van Cortlandt Park, New York City, where it grows inabundance 
over a low field bordering a brackish marsh often in company with 
S. graminoides. The two plants as they grow together are seen 
to be clearly distinct and no intergrading forms are found. I have 
also collected the plant on the New Jersey coast, and Dr. Britton 
informs me that it isthe common species on Staten Island. 
SISYRINCHIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM Miller. 
™ Low, commonly 6’—8’ high (3’-14’), pale and glaucous, usually . 
strict and stiff. Leaves narrow, from almost setaceous to 1” wide 
(rarely more lax, and 114” wide), sometimes equalling or exceed- 
ing the stem but mostly about one-half its length; edges ofleaves 
and stem either smooth or minutely serrulate or denticulate. Stem 
simple (rarely with a short lateral | branch), narrow, 74” or less to 
