48 CARYOPHYLLACEX. (PINK FAMILY.) 
1. S. rubra, Pers. — Sands or marshes along the coast, Florida and north- — 
ward. Apriland May. (1)— Stems prostrate, much branched. Leaves linear, _ 
longer than the joints. Seed with or without a membranaceous margin. 
- 6. SPERGULA, L. Srurrey. 
Sepals 5. Petals 5, entire. Stamens 5 or 10. Styles 5. Capsule 5-valved, — 
the valves opposite the sepals. Embryo forming a ring around the albumen.— _ 
Leaves whorled. Flowers cymose, white. 
1. S. arvensis, L. Stem erect; leaves fleshy, narrow-linear, several in a 
whorl; cyme loose, long-peduncled ; fruiting pedicels reflexed ; stamens 10; 
seeds rough. — Cultivated fields, Florida and northward : introduced. g). 
7. POLYCARPON, L. 
Sepals 5, carinate. Petals 5, emarginate, shorter than the sepals, Stamens 
3-5. Styles 3, very short. Capsule 3-valved. — Low annuals, with whorled 
leaves, and minute flowers, in terminal cymes. 
1. P. tetraphyllum, L. Stems (3/- 6’) forking, diffuse; leaves spatu- 
late-obovate, the lower ones 4 in a whorl, the upper opposite; sepals acute; 
stipules conspicuous. — Near Charleston. Introduced. May and June. 
8. MOLLUGO, L. : 
Sepals 5. Petals none. Stamens 5 and alternate with the sepals, or 3 and 
alternate with the cells of the ovary. Styles 3, short. Capsule 3-valved, 3-celled, 
many-seeded. — Prostrate diffusely-branched annuals. Leaves whorled. Flow- 
ers white, on slender axillary peduncles. — — a 
1. M. verticillata, L. Smooth; leaves spatulate-lanceolate, unequal, in 13 
whorls of 4-8; fruiting peduncles reflexed ; stamens 3. — Cultivated ground, — 
common. Introduced. May - August. L. 
i S. Elliottii, Fenzl. Smooth; stems erect or ascending, tufted ; pedun- - 
cles erect ; petals and sepals 5, equal, obtuse ; stamens 10. (Spergula decum- 
bens, Ell.) — Damp cultivated ground, common. April-June. (i — Stems. 
2'-6' high. Peduncles 2—3 times as long as the sharp-pointed leaves. 3 
..10. ALSINE, Tourn, 
