ONAGRACE^L 



69 



Water Purslane — Peplis Portula 



(Plate XXXV) 



This little plant is common in most parts of 

 Europe in ditches and swampy places, sometimes 

 actually floating on the water. It has a creeping 

 fibrous root, and creeping stems, which generally 

 throw out roots at the joints. The leaves are 

 stalked, smooth, oval, with the upper end 

 rounded, and the flowers stand at the base of 

 the leaves. The corolla is very small, or wanting; 

 the petals, when present, are purplish. The calyx 

 is smooth, dentated, greenish white, with red 

 stripes. 



Order XXVIII. Tamariscinacece (1 genus) 



Although the Tamarisk is called Tamarix 

 anglica, it is not believed to be indigenous in 

 Britain. It is a green, feathery shrub, always 

 found near the sea, and is planted abundantly 

 for ornament on sea-slopes in many seaside resorts 

 of the South of England. 



Order XXIX. Onagracece (4 genera) 



These are erect plants, growing to a height of 

 from 1 to 5 feet, with large and handsome (or 

 sometimes small) flowers, and long narrow leaves, 

 generally entire, and not unlike those of a willow. 

 In the flower the calyx is usually adherent to 

 the ovary, and the sepals and petals are equal in 

 number. The stamens may be equal in number 

 with the petals, or more or less numerous. There 

 is one filiform style, and the seed capsule is 

 composed of 2 or 4 divisions. 



Several species of Willow-herb (Epilobiuni) are 

 found in the British Islands, chiefly in damp 

 places, and they derive their name from the 

 resemblance of their leaves to those of a willow, 

 as already mentioned. The flowers in all the 

 species are red or pink. 



The Rose-Bay {Epilobhcm angustifoliuni) is found 

 in damp woods in many places, but is not one of 

 the commonest British species ; it grows to the 

 height of 3 or 4 feet. It has long, lanceolate, sessile 

 leaves, entire, or with the margins finely denticu- 



