iMARANTHACK.E. 321 GOMPHRFNA. 



2. A. Blitum. 



Stem diffusely spreadincr ; leaves ovale, retuse ; Jloioers triandrous, some- 

 what spiked. A weed of similar habit with A. hybridus, spreading or 

 prostrate. July. Low Amnrunth. 



3. A. olera'ceus. 



Leaves rugose, oblong, very obtuse, emarginate ; dusters axillary , branching ; 

 _/Zoj«e/-s sometimes pentandrous. Stem 18 — i24 inches high. Jl. Put Amur unth. 



* * Flowers pentandrous. 



4. A. hy'bridus. 



S<t'w furrowed, erect; leaves ovate-lanceolate; racemes pentandrous, de- 

 compound crowded, erect. A common weed in waste and cultivated grounds. 

 Stem 3 feet high, or more, leaves alternate, lonij stalked, mostly entire, 

 obtuse, emarginate, mucronale, the lowest ones refuse Flowers minute, in 

 large green oblong spikes becoming at lemrili a dull red, axillary and terminal. 

 June — Sept. Hybrid Amarunlh. 



5. A. retrofle'xus. 



Leaves ovate, undulate ; Irnnches downy; rnc(rncs pentandrous, triply 

 compound, compact, erect. Waste grounds. Stem 2 leet higli. Aug. Ann. 



Rough Aiuarunth. 



6. A. pu'milus. 



Leaves ovate, obtuse, smooth and fleshy, often retuse; chi sters ^yiWlnry; 

 flowers pentandrous; ciilyx 5-leaved, concave. Stem 8 — \2 inches high, 

 with obscure, green flowers. Dirarf Amaranth. 



7. A. HYPOCHONDRI'ACUS. — Leaves oblong, lanceolate, mucronate ; 

 racemes pentandrous, compound, compact, erect. This species is native in 

 the Middle States, and cultivated often as a garden annual. Tlie whfile plant 

 is dark red, 3 — 4 feet liigh, with long, plume-like clusters. Prince's Pcalher. 



8. A. MELANCHO'LICUS. — ieftvfs ovate-lanceolate, colored; racemes 

 axillary, peduucled, roundish. From India The whole plant purple, 18 

 inches high. Several other species are rarely cultivated. Luvc-lies-bieeding. 



2. GOMPHRE'NA. 



Brads 5. colored, the 3 outer ones ronnivenf, carina(e; 

 sepals 5. villous, disk (nectar}) c^lindric, 5-iooilied ; uliicle 

 circumscissile, 1 -seeded. 



An ancient name of obscure meaning, once applied to a species of Amaran- 

 thus. Herbs and shrubs with opposite leaves. None of the species native. 



1. G. GLOEO'SA. — S;f7?7. erect, hairy ; leaves oblong, pubescent ; heads 

 globose, solitary, 2-leaved ; In els of the brads winged. A tender annual from 

 India, valued for its heads of flowers, which, if gathered before too far ad- 

 vanced, will retain tlieir beauty several years. Hight 18 inches. Branches 

 opposite, axillary. Flowers purple. Globe Amuruiith, 



2. G. PF.RE'nNIS. — Leaves lanceolate ; /icr7f/.9 2-leaved ; ^ojcfir.v distin- 

 guislied by a peculiar calyx. Plant about 2 feet high, native of S. America. 

 The heads, 2-leaved and terminal, resemble heads of clover. Tiie crowded, 

 purple perianths are chiefly conspicuous. Gathered like the former species, its 

 flowers are equally fadeless and durable. Jl. — Oct. Perennial Globe Amaranth. 



