FAMILIES OF FLOWEEING PLANTS 



213 



over 150 species, more abundant in the Old World than in North Amer- 

 ica. They are scapose, with a tnft of basal leaves and several or many 

 umbelled flowers of many different colors, ranging, moreover, in size 

 from the tiny dwarf Canadian primrose to the stout English cowslip 

 (P. veris). An east Asiatic species (P. obconica), called the Chinese 

 primrose in cultivation, has furnished many horticultural varieties. 

 The most attractive of our native forms is Parry's primrose, * which is 



Fig. 185. The Marsh Rosemary {Limontum Carolinianum) , greatly reduced. 



Original. 



found in abundance throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The yel- 

 low loosestrifes (Lysimachia) are familiar weeds in our Eastern states. 

 Cyclamen, which also belongs to this family, is a well-known greenhouse 

 plant ; within the last few years florists have succeeded wonderfully in 

 developing the size and substance of the flowers, and the colors are 

 beautiful, embracing many shades of pink and blush-white. Mention 



*See article (with plate) by Dr. F. H. Knowlton, "A Primrose at Home." 

 PI.ANT WoRi,D, 5 : 32. 1902. 



The 



