AMARANTHACE^. 95 



QUERIA. L. 5. 1. 



Q. Canadensis. L. Forked Chickweed. Stem 6-12 

 inches high, erect or spreading, dichotomous, pubescent, with 

 opposite, lanceolate, smooth leaves ; flowers solitary, very mi- 

 nute, terminal and axillary ; blossoms in July ; dry soil, in fields. 

 The genus is named from Quer, a Spanish botanist. Some 

 other species are found in this country, but not in this State. 



ORDER 151. AMARANTHACE^. The Amaranth 



Tribe. 



Calyx 3 or 5 leafed, persistent, hypogynous, without a corolla ; 

 stamens 5, or twice as many, distinct and monadelphous ; ovary 

 superior ; flowers in heads or spikes. A rather numerous family, 

 chiefly in the tropical regions, which contain about 150 species, 

 and about 50 are in other parts of the world ; seem to have few 

 distinguishing and valuable properties ; some are used for pot- 

 herbs, some for their singular flowers and inflorescence, and the 

 long continuance of their blossoms ; a few as medicines. 



Amaranthus. L. 19. 5. Amaranth. 



Named from the Greek, which means not withering^ as the 

 flowers retain their colors long. About 40 species are described ; 

 only 8 or 10 natives of North America, and stiU fewer of New 

 England. 



Jl. hybridus. L. A coarse weed about gardens, 2 or 3 feet 

 high, unsightly, with ovate and lanceolate leaves, flowers crowded, 

 small, obscure ; turning reddish in maturity ; blossoms in August. 

 Probably introduced. 



A. oleraceus. L. Pot Amaranth. A smaller weed about 

 gardens, with insignificant flowers ; rarely used as a pot-herb. 



,3. blitum. L. Low Amaranth. Smaller than the others, 

 spreading or prostrate ; supposed to be introduced. 



