96 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Ji. pumilus. Nutt. A low plant, somewhat decumbent, dif- 

 fuse, with ovate leaves, which are obtuse and fleshy ; on Nashawn 

 Island. T. Jl. Greene. A. retrojlexus, L., has been found in 

 several parts of the country. 



In the gardens several species are cultivated, as 



A. melancJioUcus. W. Melancholy, from the East Indies. 



*^. lividus. W. Lead Amaranth, from North America. 



^^. tricolor. W. Three-colored Coxcomb, from the East 

 Indies. 



t^. caudatus. W. Love-lies-bleeding, from the East Indies. 



GOMPHRENA. L. 5. 1. 



G. globosa. L. Globe Amaranth, or Bachelor's Buttons. 

 Well known for its beautiful heads of red flowers, and easily cul- 

 tivated as an annual. India. If the heads are picked before 

 maturity, they preserve their beauty for years. Loudon. 



ORDER 152. SCLERANTHE^. The Knawel Tribe. 



Only 2 genera belong to the order. The species grow over 

 Europe, Asia, and North America ; only 3 of Scleranthus are 

 described ; all useless plants ; the name means hard Jiower. 



Scleranthus. L. 10. 2. 



S, annuus. L. Common Knawel. Stems procumbent, 

 spreading, somewhat pubescent, numerous ; flowers in axillary 

 fascicles, green and very small ; leaves linear, opposite, acute ; 

 July, in sandy fields. 



ORDER 153. CHENOPODE^. The Goose Foot 



Tribe. 



From the Greek, Goose- Foot, on account of the resemblance 

 of the leaves of many species to the webbed feet of water birds. 

 The plants have little of interest in their appearance, and their 

 flowers are insignificant. 



