SiLENALES.] 



PORTULACE^E. 



501 



have been more than once compared to Primworts ; and the same author states, in 

 another place, that the genera with mdefinite stamens and hairy axils approach the 

 Torch-thistles. 



These plants inhabit the Cape of Good Hope and South America, 1 species occurs 

 in Guinea, 2 in New Holland, 1 m Eui'ope, and the remainder in various pai'ts of the 

 world. They are always found in dry parched places. 



Insipidity, want of smell, and dull green colom* in the foUage, are usual qualities of this 

 Order, of which the only species of any known use is the common Pm-slanc {avSpaxvri) 

 of the Greeks, (Portulaca oleracea, Z.), which has been used from all antiquity as a 

 potherb, and in salads, on account of its cooling and antiscorbutic qualities ; the ancients 

 tliought the seeds, steeped m wine, to be emmenagogue. Talinum patens in Brazil, 

 and Claytonia perfohata in North Amei*ica, and some Calandrmias have similar 

 quaUties. The tuberous root of Claytonia tuberosa, a Sibeinan plant, is eaten where 

 it grows wild. Many of the species are beautiful objects on accoimt of their lai'ge gay 

 flowers. 



GENERA. 



Portulaca, Tourn. 



Meridiana, L. 



Merida, Neck. 



Lamia, Vand. 

 Portulacaria, Jacq. 



Hcenkea, Salisb. 

 Anacampseros, Linn. 



Telephiastru m , D ill . 



Rulingia, Ehrh, 



Avonia, E. Mey. 

 Grahamia, Gill. 



Xeranthus, Miers. 

 Talinum, Adans. 



Phemeranthus, Raf. 



Talinastrum, DC. 



Talinellum, DC. 



Eutmon, Raf. 



Calandrinia, H. B. K. 



Cosmia, Domb. 



Cistanthe, Spach. 



Tegneria^ Lilj. 



Rhodopsis, Lilj. 



Phacosperma, Haw. 



Geunsia, Flor. mex. 

 Claytonia, Linn. 



Limnia, Linn. 

 Monocoamia, Fenzl. 

 Montia, Michel. 



Cameraria, Dill. 



Alsinoides, Vaill. 

 Calj'ptridium, Nutt. 

 ? Ullucus, Lozan. 

 ? Leptrinia, Ra/. 



Numbers. Gen. 12. Sp. 184. 



PrimuliiceeB. 

 Position. — lUecebraceae. — Portulace^. — Cai'yophyllacete. 

 Mesemhryaceoe. 

 Cactacece. 



