298 CHENOPODIACE^. 



2. ATRIPLEX. Linn.— Omch. 

 (From the Greek a, not, and rpafeip, to nourish.) 



Flowers monoecious or dioecious, rarely perfect. Sterils Fl. 

 without bracts. Perianth 3 — 5-parte(l, without appendages. 

 Stamens 3 — 5. Fertile Fl. with 2 bracts at base. Perianth 

 none. Styles 2, united below. Utricle compressed, partly 

 included in the bracts, 1 -seeded. 



1. A. Halimus Linn. : stem frutescent; leaves alternate or opposite, ob- 

 long-subrhomboid, entire, decurrent into the petiole. 



N. J. to Virg. Yi. Muhl. A doubtful species. Shrvbby Orach. 



2. A. patula Linn. : stem herbaceous, much branched, procumbent ; 

 leaves triangular-hastate, acuminate, smooth abover, irregularly toothed ; 

 the upper ones entire; perianth of the fruit submuricate on the sides. 

 A. laciniala Pursh. 



N. Y. to Car. Aug. (T).—Stem much branched ; the branches 1 — 2 feet long, 

 striate. Leaves on petioles which are nearly an inch long. Flowers clastered 

 on axillary and terminal spikes. Spreading Orach. 



3. A arenaria Nutt. : stem herbaceous, spreading ; leaves oblong-ovate, 

 subsessile, silvery-mealy beneath, very entire ; upper ones acute or acumi- 

 nate ; perianth of the fruit muricate, dentate, retuse. Obione arenaria 

 Moq- Tand. 



Sea-coast. N. Y. to Car. Aug., Sept. (1). — Stem a foot high, angular, much 

 branched. Lower leaves often cuneate. Flowers monoecious ; the sterile ones 

 in short glomerate spikes at the end of the branches ; the fertile ones in axillary 

 clusters. Sea-beach Orach. 



4. A. hortensis Linn.: stem erect, herbaceous; leaves triangular, dentate, 

 green on both sides ; perianth of the fruit ovate, reticulate, entire ; flowers 

 in terminal interrupted racemes or spikes. 



Cultivated grounds. N. S. ; rare. July. (1). — Stem 3 — 4 feet high. Leaves 

 2 — 3 inches long. Flowers green. Introduced. Garden Orach. 



3. ACNIDA. Linn.— Water Hemp. 



(From the Greek a, tuithout, and Kvi6n, a nettle ; because it resembles a nettle 

 but does not sting.) 



Flowers dioecious, without bracts. Sterile Fl. Perianth 



5-parted. Stamens 5, very short. Fertile Fl. Perianth 3- 



parted. Styles none. Stigmas 3 — 5, spreading. Capsule 1- 



seeded. 



1. A. cannabina Linn. : leaves ovate-lanceolate ; capsules smooth, acutely 

 angled. 



Marshes. Can. to Flor. July, Aug. (!)• — Stem 3 — 6 feet high, slightly an* 

 gled. Leaves alternate, ribbed, 2 — 5 inches long, petioled. Flowers small, green, 

 in large axillary and terminal panicles. Common Water Hemp. 



2. A. ruscocarpa Mich. : leaves oval-lanceolate ; capsules obtusely an- 

 gled, rugose. 



