342 Clas* XXI. Order V. 



399. BCEHMERIA. 



BEHMERIA CYLiNDRicA. fVilld. Common B&limeria. 



Leaves opposite, ovate-oblong, acuminate, dentate, 

 glabrous ; flowers dioecious ; barren spikes interrupt- 

 ed, fertile ones cylindrical ; stem herbaceous. W'dld. 



Syn. URTICA crLixoRicA. L. 



Stem erect, round, channelled, hairy or subglabrous. Leaves 

 opposite, petioled, ovate, toothed, three nerved, acuminate, 

 Spikes axillary, simple, of many whorls, leafy at top. The bar- 

 ren flowers, while young, appear like white buds or seeds, 

 and consist of a four leaved calyx and four elastic stamens. 

 Fertile flowers more numerous, with ovate germs and pubes- 

 cent styles. Edges of swamps, on the Concord turnpike. 

 July. -Perennial. 



400. ALNUS. 

 ALNUS SERRULATA. Willd. Common Alder. 



Leaves obovate, acuminate, the veins and their ax- 

 ils hairy underneath ; stipules elliptical, obtuse. Willd. 



Syn. BETULA SERRULATE. Mt. 



The Alder grows in wet grounds, and forms large thickets in 

 swamps and about the edges of streams and ponds. Considered 

 as a tree it ranks with those of the smallest size. Its leaves are 

 oval or inversely ovate, serrate, acute, or slightly acuminate, 

 furnished underneath with prominent, parellel, hairy veins. 

 Barren aments pendulous, each scale containing about three 

 flowers which have four petals and four stamens. Fertile ones 

 short, rigid, forming a persistent cone. March, April. 



401. XANTHIUM. 



XANTHIUM STRUMARIUM. -L. Sea Burdock. 



Stem unarmed ; leaves heart-shaped, three nerved. 

 L. 



A very rough plant, growing at the edges of beaches, &c. 

 near the salt water. Stem erect, spotted, bristly. Leaves hard 

 and rough like a file, heart-shaped, serrate, on 'long petioles. 



