Crass. XX._DIOECIA. 
ee < 
ih 
Orver I.—DIANDRIA, 
779. VALISNERIA. Micheli. Le 
Mase. Spathe ovate, 2 parted. | Bpadix co- 
vered with minute flowers. 3-parted, FEM. 
Spathe bifid, 1 flowered, ‘Calix: $-parted, © 
wi perior. Corolla of 3 petals. Stigmas 8, Lila- 
7 semibifid. Capsule valveless, 1- celled. seeus 
erous, parietally attached. (Stamina 2 
J aquatics; leaves all radical; scapes axillary. ad 
emale flowers solitary, mostly furnished with a spiral 7 
orm scape, stretching or contracting (as in Ruppia and ps 
dora) in order to admit the emersion of the flower; ; 
ale seape very short, and always submersed, the minute © 
scarcely (larger than the anthers of the Rose) at 
ing connexion with the parent plant, rise to 
e, and instantly Sxpentinyees light, acciden- 
-around the other sex quickly perish; the 
of inflorescence passed, the female at Se mane 
ath the water and matures the fruit. — 
‘Spectres. 1. V. americana. Leaves linear and obtuse, 
equal from the base, 3-nerved, margin minutely and acu- 
Textely serrulate; male peduncles very short, female ones 
.—Apparently a mere variety of V. spiralis. —_ me 
ts yery minute, 3-valved, valves concave; s 
or 2. Has. Common in still water, on then 
- vivers from New York to Florida, also in Lake 3 
* ee territory, — 
