188 Class XI. Order I. 



The root has an agreeable, aromatic flavour, not unlike thai 

 of ginger. 



195. PORTULACA. 



PORTULACA OLERACEA. L. Purslane. 



Leaves wedge shaped ; flowers sessile. L. 



A succulent, annual plant, common in gardens, cultivated fields, 

 and waste grounds. Stems procumbent, spreading, smooth, fleshy. 

 Leaves wedge shaped, rounded at the end, fleshy, smooth, ses- 

 sile. Flowers sessile, scattered, yellow. Capsule opening 

 transversely. 'Flowers all summer. Annual. 



196. LYTHRUM. 

 LYTHRUM VERTICILLATUM. L. Grass Poly. 



Leaves opposite or ternate, lanceolate, petioled ; 

 flowers axillary, forming a sort of whorls. 



Stems woody at base, two feet high. Leaves opposite or in 

 threes, lanceolate, entire. Flowers on axillary, subdivided pe- 

 duncles, nearly surrounding the stem. Calyx ending in ten or 

 twelve teeth, accompanied by the same number of long stamens. 

 Petals five or six, of a fine purple, spreading, inserted on the ca- 

 lyx, short in duration. In watery places near Fresh pond. Ju- 

 ly, August. 



LYTHRUM HYSSOPIFOLIUM. L. Dwarf Grass Poly. 



Leaves alternate, linear lanceolate ; flowers axillary, 

 solitary, hexandrous. 



Stem slender, six to ten inches high, square, with spreading 

 branches, which are mostly opposite, at base. Leaves linear ob- 

 long, obtuse, sessile, the lower ones deciduous. Flowers small, 

 axillary, sessile, appressed to the stalk, with three minute 

 bractes. Calyx subcylindrical, angular, with twelve minute 

 segments, the alternate ones longer. Corolla small, purple. 

 Stamens commonly six, rarely five. In low gi'ounds and dried 

 ponds. August, September. Annual. 



This plant was returned to me by the late Dr. Muhlenberg as 

 L. linearc of Michaux. Are the two plant? different 1 



