ALS, Fe} PURSLANES. 
a abitat. Europe, in fields and on hills ; an annual, 
Quality and Uses. Roots contain saponine ; herbage said to increase the milk of cows. 
Natural Order, Purslanes ; Portulacacee (V. K., p. 500.) 
Prevailing Quality. Insipidity. 
arti Portutaca. Linneeus. 
Calya bifid, deciduous, leaving behind a circular base. Stamens 8-15, 
__ distinct. Stigmas 6. Capsule circumscissile. 
l. P. oleracea Linnewus.—(Purstane.) Fig. 177. 
Stem and branches fleshy, prostrate ; leaves wedge-shaped, succulent ; 
flowers solitary, sessile, yellow ; sepals bluntly keeled. 
V7 
Habitat. Cultivated in gardens. 
Antiscorbutic, refrigerant. 
Uses, ves a common potherb, and salad. 
Natural Order, Bucktoheats ; Polygonacee (V- K., p. 502.) 
Prevailing Quality. Purgative, astringent. 
- Potyeonum. Linneeus. 
Calyee 4.5-cleft, more or less coloured. Stamens variable in number, in 2 | 
rows, generally with glands at the base. Styles more or less united at 
- P. Hydropiper Linneus.—(Water Perrer.) Fig. 179. 
ous ; flowers hexandrous, with glandular dots. 
si tn 
Fig. 177.—a, a twig of Portulaca oleracea, natural size; b, section of the flower of Portulaca olerace - ‘ 
the bas ie Mut invested by the permanent calyx. Embryo lateral. | wae : 
es lanceolate; ochree with short fringes ; spikes filiform, lax, pendu- oo 
