146 PRACTICAL BOTANY. 



and inserted, with the stamens, on the stalk of the ovary. 



Stem swollen at the joints. Leaves opposite or in whorls 



of 4. Silene. 



Calyx not tubular 198 



198. Stamens 9, rarely more, united in 3 sets, which are 

 separated by as many glands. Pod 3-eelled. Flowers flesh- 

 color, in the axils of the leaves. Perennials, in marshes or 

 shallow water. dodea. 



Stamens not in sets, and without intervening 

 glands 199 



199. Tliree parietal placenta3 in the 1 -celled ovary. 

 Stamens G-1 2, very rarely more, distinct or obscurely clus- 

 tered. Petals oblong or linear, small. Sepals narrow, erect. 

 Annuals. Branches 4-angled. Leaves ovate, oblong, or lance- 

 linear, or awl-shaped, usually 1- to 5-nerved. 



Hypericum (In 4 spec.) 



A central or basilar placenta. Stems more or less swollen 

 at the joints. Ovary 1-celled, or, in one case, imperfectly 3- 

 to 5-celled 200 



900. Petals 2-cleft or parted. Stamens usually 10, rarely 

 fewer.' (180) SteUaria (692). 



Petals entire or only slightly emarginate 201 



901. Stipules present, membranaceous, cleft. Styles 3, 

 rarely 5. Stamens 2 to 10. Sepals lanceolate, with scarious 

 edges. Leaves filiform-linear, slightly nmcronate. Flowers 

 small, rose-color, on hairy pedicels. 



Spergularia rubra, Pers. 

 Stipules none 202 



909. Valves of the capsule 3, each 2-toothed. Styles 3.. 203 

 Valves of the capsule entire .'204 



903. Seeds appendiculate at the hilum (strophiolate). 

 The w^hite petals more than twice as long as the sepals. 



Mcehriugia lateriflora, L. 



Seeds not appendiculate. The white petals much 

 shorter than the hairy, 3-nerved sepals. 



Arenaria serpyllifolia, L, 



