PORTOLACACE^. 68 PORTOLACA. 



hairy. Native of Europe. From this species probably originated those beau- 

 tiful pinks called pheasants' eyes, of which there are enumerated in Scotland, 

 no less than 3UU varieties. Flowers white and purple. Jn. — Aug. Per. 



aingle Pink. Phtasants'-cycs. 



5. D. caryophy'llus. 



Floicers solitary; scales very short, ovate; petals very broad, beardless; 

 leaves linear-subulate, channeled, glaucous. Stem 2 — 3 feet high, branched. 

 Flowers wliite and crimson ; petals crenate. This species is supposed to be 

 the parent of all the varieties of the splendid Carnation. Over 400 sorts are 

 now enumerated by florists, distinguished mostly by some peculiarity in col- 

 ors, which are crimson, white, red, purple, scarlet, yellow, and arranged in 

 every possible order of stripes, dots, flakes, angles, &c. Carnations are pro- 

 pagated by layers, cuttings and seeds. They thrive best in ricli loam, rather 

 sandy, and should be protected from all extremes of heat or cold, dryness or 

 moisture. Cumutiun Pink. 



6. D. SUPE'RBUS. 



Flowers fastigiate ; scales short, ovate, mucronate ; petals pinnate. A singu- 

 larly beautiful pink, native of Europe. Stem 2 t'eet high, paniculate, branch- 

 ing, with many flowers. Petals white, gashed in a pinnate manner beyond the 

 middle, and hairy at tlie mouth of the tube. Jl. — Sept. Per. Superb Pink. 



The species of this admirable genus are quite numerous, exceeding a hun- 

 dred, nearly all of them valued as well for tlieir fragrance as their beauty, 

 displaying the gentler attributes of their Creator. 



ORDER XXy. PORTULACACEtE. The Purslane Tribe. 



Cal. — Sepals 2, united at the base. 



Cor. — Petals 5, somelimes more or less, imbricated in rostivation, 

 Sta. — Variable in number. Filaments distinct. Anthers versatile or introrse. 

 Ova. — Superior, l-t-elled. Styles several stigmatose along the inner suriace. 

 i'V. — A pyxis, dehiscing by a lid, or capsule, loculicidal, with as many valves as stigmas. 

 A small order of succrjent plants, inhabiting dry places in every quarter of the world. 

 They possess no remarkable properties. 



Genera. 



Stamens 8^90, Porhii/ira. 1 



Slanretis 5, Claytonia. 2 



1. PORTULA'CA. 



Sepals 2, the upper portions deciduous; petals 5, equal; 

 style 3 — 6-cIeft; pyxis subglobose, dehiscing near the middle, 

 many-seeded. 



An ancient name, of unknown origin. Low, herbaceoits weeds. Flowers 

 expanding only in sunshine. 



P. olera'cea. 



Leaves cuneate ; foicrrs sessile. A prostrate, fleshy weed, more common 

 in our gardens than seems desirable. Stem thick and succulent, much branched 

 and spreading, smooth. Leaves fleshy, sessile, rounded at tlie end. Flowers 

 3'ellaw. The herbage of tlie plant is of ft reddish green color. Sometimes 

 used -ds a. pot-herb. Jn.— Aug. Ann. Purslane. 



