60 



ONAGEACEiE. (EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY.) 



4. CENOTHERA, L. 



Calyx tube more or loss prolonged beyond the ovary; segments reflexed. Petals 4; in 

 our species yellow. Stamens 8, equal, or those opposite to the petals shorter. Style 

 filiform; stigma 4-lobed or capitate. 



* Acaulescent. Calyx-tube filiform above the undcr-(jround ovary. 



Leaves ovate to lanceolate CE. ovata. 1 



Leaves linear CE. graciliflora. 2 



* * Caulescent. Calyx-tube obconic; capsule sessile, linear. 



Leaves thick; flowers small; capsule thick CE. cheiranthifolia. 3 



Flowers large; j^ctals with a spot at the base CE. bistorta. 4 



Flowers small; capsule contorted CE. micrantha. 5 



Slender, leajy annuals; leaves linear; flowers small; capsule narroivly linear. 



Flowers rarely reddening CE. dentata. 6 



Flowers usually reddening CE. strigulosa. 7 



1. CE. ovata, Nutt. The radical leaves 4 to G inches long; calyx-tube scape-like, 

 1 to 4 inches long. 



2. CE. graciliflora, Hook & Am. Canescently villous; calyx-tube equaling tlie 

 leaves, G to IS lines long; petals obcordate, 3 to 5 lines long, smaller than the last. 



3. CE. cheiranthifolia, Horn. Canescently i^ubescent; stems decumbent or ascend- 

 ing, 2 ft. long or more; leaves oblong or narrowly oblanceolate, sometimes broadly ovate 

 or cordate, h, to 2^ inches long, mostly entire, the lower petioled, the upper often clasp- 

 ing; ovary and calyx villous; flowers 2 to 5 lines in diameter; capsule 4 to 8 lines long. 

 Near the sea on drifting sands. 



4. CE. bistorta, Nutt. Less common than the last; distinguished by its petals, 4 

 to G lines long, usually with a brown spot. 



5. CE. micrantha, Horn. A variable species distinguished from the last by its 

 flowers, only 2 to 4 lines in diameter, with the petals sometimes 3-lobed; and by the con- 

 torted slender capsules, 8 to 18 lines long. 



6. CE. dentata, Cav. A span high or less; leaves linear, sessile, denticulate, G to 

 18 lines long; petals roimded, 2 to 4 lines long; capsule slender, attenuate, an inch long 

 or more. 



7. CE. strigulosa, Torr. & Gr. Like the last; the capsule obtuse, scarcely attenu- 

 ate. More common than the last. 



CEnothera, biennis, L. , the Evening Primrose, if found, may be known by its tall, 

 erect stem and large flowers. 



