siuppiA. TETRANDRIA. TETRAGYNIA, 19J> 



arising from the sheathing base of the leaves, which 

 performs the office of a spath. 



R. maritima L» Willd, Spec. 1. p. 717. Smith Fl, 

 Brit. I. p. 198. Eng. Bot, t. 136. Hook. Fl. Scot. p. 59. 

 Mzch, FLl.ip. 102. Pursh Fll. p. 121, Muhl.Cat, 

 p. 17. Roem, >^ Schult. Ul.p, olS. 



Hoot perennial. Stem very slender, much branched. Leaves 

 setaceous, flat, 2 — 3 inches long ; sheaths long, inflated, mem- 

 branaceous, Spadix at first included in the sheaths, 2-flower- 

 ed. Anthers large, sessile, bursting horizontally. Germens 

 minute, situated between the anthers ; stigmas sessile. Alter 

 flowering the spadix becomes very much elongated, and (in 

 tide water) spirally twisted. Seeds (dru/ies. Ho ok. J ovate, 

 acuminate, gibbous, on pedicels about an inch long. 



Hab. In salt water ditches, and in shallow bays. Common about 

 Hoboken, New-Jersey. July. 



The North-American plant resembles, in every respect, the 

 European. 



