Class XXI. Order VIII. 



sessile about the axils of the upper leaves. August, Septem- 

 ber. Annual. 



256. AMARANTHUS. 

 AMARANTHUS HYBRIDUS. L. Hybrid Amaranth. 



Racemes pentandrous, decompound, crowded, 

 erect ; leaves ovate-lanceolate. Willd. 



This is a common weed in waste and cultivated grounds. 

 Stem erect, furrowed, somewhat hairy. Leaves alternate, on 

 long petioles, green, ovate, mostly entire, mucronatcd, the low- 

 er ones retuse at the end. The flowers are crowded, small, and 

 obscure, forming large, green clusters, axillary and terminal, 

 which turn to a dull red as the plant grows old. Annual. 



POLYANDRU. 



257. SAGITTARIA. 

 SAGITTARIA SAGITTIFOLIA. L. Jlrrow heads 



Leaves sagittate, acute. L. 



Common in meadows, by the sides of brooks and ditches, 

 putting out its white flowers in July and August. The root is 

 fleshy, and has been used as food in times of scarcity. The- 

 leaves are radical, large, smooth, and entire, very distinctly ar- 

 row shaped, with an acute point and lobes. Scape somewhat 

 triangular, bearing whorls of three flowers each, on simple foot- 

 stalks. Petals three, roundish, very thin and deciduous, and 

 difficult to preserve. Stamens in the upper flowers ; pistils in 

 the lower. Fruit in globular heads. Perennial. 



258. MYRIOPHYLLUM. 

 MYRIOPHYLLUM SPIOATUM. L. Spiked water MillfoiL 



Leaves all pinnate, capillary , spike terminal, 

 whorled, jinked. Willd, 



