48 CARTOPHTLLACE^. (PlNK FAMILY.) 



1. S. rubra, Pcrs. — Sands or marshes along the ooiust, Florida s>nd north- 

 ward. April and May. i, — Stems prostrate, much branehed. Leaves linear, 

 longer than the joints. Seed with or without a membranaceous margin. 



6. SPERGULA, L. Spuukey. 



Sepals 5. Petals 5, entire. Stamens 5 or 10. Styles 5. Capsule 5-valvcd, 

 the valves opposite the sepals. Embryo forming a ring around the albumen. — 

 Leaves whorled. Flowers cymose, white. 



I. S. arvensis, L. Stem erect; leaves fleshy, narrow-linear, several in a 

 whorl; cyme loose, long-pcdunded ; fruiting pedicels reflexed ; stamens 10; 

 seeds rough. — Cultivated fields, Florida and northward : introduced, (l) . 



7. POLYCARPON, L. 



Sepals 5, carinate. Petals 5, emarginate, shorter than the se))als. 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. Slay 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. 



1 . M. verticillata, L. Smooth ; leaves spatulate-lanceolate, unequal, ia 

 whorls of 4-8; fruiting peduncles reflexed; stamens 3. — Cultivated ground, 

 common. Introduced. May - August. 



9. SAGINA, L. 



Sepals 4-5. Petals 4-5, entire, or wanting. Stamens 4-10. Styles 4-5, 



alternate with the sepals. Capsule 4 - 5-valved ; the valves entire, opposite the 



sejjals. — Small herbs, witli fdiform forking stems, subulate leaves, and solitary 

 flower.s. 



1. S. Elliottii, Fonzl. Smooth; stems erect or ascending, tufted ; jK'dun- 

 clcs erect ; i)Ctals and sepals 5, equal, obtuse; stamens 10. (Spergula dccum- 

 bens, AV/ )-:- Damp oultivated ground, common. April -June. " — Stems 

 2' -6' high. Peduncles 2-3 times as long as the sharp-pointed leaves. 



10. ALSINE, Tourn. 



Sepals 5. Petals 5. Stamens 10. Styles 3. Capsule 1 -celled, 3-valvod, the 

 valves entire, opposite the inner sepals. — I-ow slender herbs, with linear or sub- 

 ulate leaves, and white cymose or solitary flowers. 



