26 ELEMENTS OF BOTANY. 



at its base, radical leaves numerous, thick, parallel-veined ; 

 petiole long, from a sheathing base ; flowers in terminal 

 spikes, perianth 2-lipped, lobes of the upper lip ovate, of 

 the lower, oblong, spreading; stamens 6, the three upper short 

 and often imperfect, the three lower exserted ; ovary 3-celled, 

 but only 1 cell ovule-bearing; the 1-seeded utricle enclosed 

 by the base of the perianth. 



P. coRDATA L. Pickerel-weed. Stem stout, erect, 2-4 ft. high ; 

 leaves long, from cordate to lanceolate and often hastate, apex and 

 basal lobes obtuse, finely nerved ; spike dense, 2-4 in. long, peduncles 

 enclosed by the spathe ; perianth hairy, blue, the upper lip with two 

 yellow spots, tube 6-ribbed, curved, rather longer than the lobes ; 

 ovary oblong. June-September. In ponds and slow streams. 



11. JUNCACEiE. RUSH FAMILY. 



Grass-like perennial or annual herbs, mostly growing on 

 wet soil ; stems mostly erect but sometimes creeping, simple 

 or branched, naked or leafy and jointed ; leaves terete, sheath- 

 ing at the base, very slender and pointed or flattened and 

 grass-like ; flowers in cymes or panicles which may be very 

 loose and spreading, or so compact as to form a head, some- 

 times with a rigid scape prolonged beyond the flower cluster ; 

 flowers usually bracted, perianth of 6 nearly equal scale-like 

 persistent divisions ; stamens 3 or 6, inserted on the base of 

 the perianth ; ovary free, 1- or 3-celled, many-ovuled, style 

 single, stigmas 3, usually hairy ; fruit a 1- or 3-celled, 3-many- 

 seeded capsule. 



[Most species flower late in the season, and their identification is too 

 difficult for one without considerable experience.] 



12. MELANTHACEiE. COLCIIICUM FAMILY. 



Perennial herbs, usually from a stout rootstock ; stem simple 

 or branched, leafy ; leaves parallel-veined, often with trans- 

 verse veins, broad or narrow and grass-like ; flowers solitary, 



