302 ACANTiiACt:.!':. (acXmiius family.) 



sprcadinjr, biconvex, with three short lobes. Stamens 4, didynamous, under tho 

 upper lip : anthers approximate, oblong, hairy ; the cells nearly equal, slightly 

 pointed at the base. Ovary with 2 ovules in each cell. Capsule conipre.>ised, 

 obli(iue, loculicidally 2-valvcd, 1 -4-.seedc(l. — Annual herbs, with opjjosite lan- 

 ceolate or linear leaves, and solitary axillary (lowers. 



1. M. AmeriCEnum, Michx. Stem naked below, leafy and commonly 

 branched above the middle ; leaves lanceolate, entire, short-petioled ; the u|)per 

 ones broader and sharply toothed at the base; flowers greenish-yellow. — Dry 

 woods along the mountains, Georgia, and northward. Aug. — Stem G'-12' 

 high. Leaves 2' long. Flowers 4" - 5" long. 



Ordku 92. ACANTIIACE.!]]. (Acaxtiiu.s Family.) 



Chiefly lierb.s, ■with opposite (rarely alternate or clustered) undivided 

 exstipulate leaves, and bractcd, often showy flowers. — Caly.x 5-parted. 

 Corolki more or loss bilabiate, 5-lobcd, twisted in the bud. Fertile sta- 

 mens 2 or 4, inserted on the tube of the corolla : anthers 2-celled. 

 Ovary free. Style single : stigma entire or 2-lobed. Cajisule loculici- 

 dally 2-valved, 2-celled, 4 -several-seeded, opening clastically. Seeds 

 anatropous, Hat, rounded, without albumen, mostly supported by curved 

 appendages of the placentaj. lladicle inferior. — Stems commonly swol- 

 len between the joints. 



Synopsis. 



• Capsule oblong, bearing the Feeds at the bape. Appendages of the placentas none. 



1. ELYTR.\RIA. Spiko borne on a closely -bracted scape. Leaves radical. 



# • Capsule club-shaped, bearing the .seeds above the base, appcndaged. 



2. DIPTEIIAOANTUUS. Corolla nearly regular. Stamens 4. Flowers axillary, solitary or 



clustered. 



3. DIANTIIEllA. Corolla bilabiate. Ptinicns 2. Cells of the anthers placed one lower than 



the other. Flowers in long-pedunclcd axillary spikes. 



4. DICLll'TERA. Corolla bilabiate, rcsupinate. St.-iniens 2. Cells of the anthers placed 



OQO buliiad the other. Flowers in leafy -bractcd heads or clusters. 



1. ELYTRARIA, Vahl. 



Calyx 4 - .'i-partcd, the lateral lobes narrower. Corolla salver-shaped or 

 bilabiate, O-lobcd. Fertile stamens 2, the 2 anterior ones sterile : anilRM--ccll8 

 parallel. Stigma 2-clcft. Capsule sessile, about 8-sccded ; the seeds fixed near 

 the base of the capsule, without appendages. — Low herbs. Leaves all radical, 

 clustered. Scape covered with imbricated bracts. Flowers spiked, 2-bractcd. 



1. E. virgata, Michx. Leaves oval or oblong, narrowed downward, 

 entire or wavy on the margins, smooth or pubescent ; bracts of tlio scapo 

 alternate, rigid, lanceolate, acuminate, clasping ; those of tho spike ovate ; 

 corolla white, Kalvcr-sluqicd, the lobes nearly ecpial ; capsule cylindrical — 

 Banks of rivers, Florida to South Carolina. Aug. IJ. — Scapes 6'- 12' high. 

 Leaves 2' -4' long. 



