194 XXV. ELATINACEZ, 
2. P. pitosa, 8. Scarlet-flowered Purslane.—Sts. ascending, much branched ; 
branches suberect, enlarged upwards; lvs. linear, obtuse, the axils villose with 
long, woolly hairs; fls. terminal, sessile, 1 or few together, surrounded by an 
irregular circle of leaves and dense tufts of wool; pet. obovate ; sta. about 15.— 
A very delicate plant, with purple stems, and large, bright purple flowers.—— 
P. australis, with broader leaves and scarlet fils. is also popular in house cul- 
tivation. The species are mostly natives of S. Africa. + 
2, CLAYTONTIA. 
In memory of John Clayton, a botanist of Virginia. 
Sepals 2, ovate or roundish; petals 5, emarginate or obtuse; sta- 
mens 5, inserted on the claws of the petals; stigmas 3-cleft; capsule 
3-valyed, 2—5-seeded.—Small, fleshy, delicate, early-flowering plants. 
1. C. Caronintina. Michx. Spring Beauty. 
Iws. ovate-lanceolate; sep. and pet. obtuse; 7¢. tuberous.—2 A delicate 
little plant, flowering in April, common in woods and rocky hills, Can. to N. 
Car. W. to the Miss. Root a compressed, brown tubercle, buried at a depth in 
the ground, equal to the height of the plant. Root-leaves very few, if any, 
spatulate. Stem weak, 2—3’ high, with a pair of opposite leaves half-way up, 
which are 1—2’ by }—?’, entire, tapering at base into the petiole. Flowers in. 
a terminal cluster, white, with a slight tinge of red, and beautifully penciled 
with purple lines. Apr. May. 
2. C. Vireinica. Virginian Spring Beauty. 
Iwvs. linear, or lance-linear; sep. rather acute; pet. obovate, mostly 
emarginate or retuse; ped. slender, nodding.—72, In low, moist grounds, Mid. 
and S. States. W. to Mo., Everett! rare in N. Eng. Tubercle or cormus as 
large as a hazelnut, deep in the ground. Stem 6—10’ long, weak. with a pair 
of opposite, very narrow leaves 3—5’ long. Flowers 5—10, rose-colored, with 
deeper colored veins, in a terminal cluster. Sepals acute or obtuse. Petals 
often elliptical, subacute. Apr. May. 
3. TALINUM. Adans. 
Sepals 2, ovate, concave, deciduous ; petals 5, sessile; stamens 10 
—20, inserted with the petals into the torus; style trifid; capsule 
subglobose, 3-valved, many-seeded. 
1. T. TERETIFOLIUM. 
St. simple or branched, short and thick; lws. terete, subulate, crowded at 
the summit of the stem, on short branches; ped. elongated; fis. in a dichoto- 
mous cyme; pet. purple-—2 An interesting little plant, on rocks, Penn. Dr. 
Darlington! to Ark. Rhizoma or perennial stem firm and fleshy, with fibrous 
roots. Branches 1—3/long. Leaves 1—2/ long, incurved, fleshy. Bractsovate- 
lanceolate, minute. Peduncles 5—8’ high. Flowers small, ephemeral. Sta- 
mens about 20. Jn.—Aug. 
2. T. patens.—Spreading-flowered Talinwm.—St. erect or decumbent at base, 
slender; Jvs. ovate, flat, fleshy; panicle terminal, with spreading, dichotomous 
peduncles.—2, Native in S. America. A handsome plant, sometimes cultivat- 
ed. Stem 1—2f high, round, purple, terminating in a naked, spreading pani- 
cle of small purple flowers. Leaves 2—3/ long, tapering tothe base. Aug.—Oct. 
Orver XXV. ELATINACE A).—Warter Peppers. 
Herbs small, annual, with opposite leaves and membranaceous stipules. Fs. minute, axillary. 
Cal.—Sepals 2—4, distinct or slightly coherent at base, persistent. : 
Cor.—Petals hypogynous, as many as the sepals. ; 
Sta. equal in number to, or twice as many as the petals. Amth. introrse. 
a. 2—6-celled. Stigmas 2—5, capitate ; placente in the axis. 
Fr. capsular. Secds numerous. 
Genera 6, species 22, found in every part of the globe, growing in marshes. “The following is the only 
northern genus : 
