MORNIN"Gi GLORY FAMILY 181 



Metastelma scoparimn. Similar to above species, but leaves 

 are 1-2 in. long. Stems often become leafless. Fla. to S. C. 



Seutera palustris. Flowers small, greenish brown or pur- 

 plish, in stalked umbels from leaf-axils. Pods slender, 1-2 in. 

 long. Leaves narrow, smooth, somewhat fleshy, 1-3 in. long. 

 Near the coast. Blooming from spring to fall. Fla. to N. C. 

 and Texas. 



MORNING GLORY FAMILY (Convolvulaceae) 



Twining or trailing plants. Leaves alternate. Flowers from 

 leaf-axils, petals united, stamens 5. Fruit a capsule. 



From Palm Beach and the Okeechobee region southward 

 the most common wild flowers in winter — aside from the 

 weeds — are the morning glories and their beautiful rela- 

 tive the moonflower. Twining over underbrush, and climb- 

 ing high upon shrubs and trees, they grace their accom- 

 modating supports with additional tapestry of flowers 

 and leaves while northern trees bear the cold ornament 

 of snow. 



One of the most common in this part of the state, 

 Ipomoea cathartica, produces an unending supply of 

 purplish pink morning glories. Here, also, the moon- 

 flower, with the characteristic pallor and fragrance of 

 night bloomers, grows in profusion in thickets and swamps, 

 often climbing the trees and opening large flowers from 

 the topmost branches. 



Near the coast in the southern part of the peninsula 

 the prostrate Jacquemontia spreads in matted growth, and 

 bears a quantity of small white or violet flowers. 



The adventurous Ipomoea littoralis opens white, yellow- 

 throated flowers on ocean beaches, in danger from waves 

 and from drifting sand. Another seaside morning glory, 

 the cosmopolitan Ipomoea pes-caprae, is conspicuous even 

 when not in bloom, for it stretches stout rope-like stems, 

 well anchored by roots, far over the sands, and bears 



