DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS 57 



a. A. Douglasli Torr. & Gray. Slender, low, much-branched 

 annuals. Leaves very narrow, thread-like. Flowers \ in. in 

 diameter, on long, slender pedicels. Pod globose, equaling the 

 calyx. Seeds flat, smooth. Throughout California. 



b. A. Califor'nica Brewer. Similar to the preceding, but wdth 

 lanceolate, very short, obtuse leaves, flowers half as large, capsule 

 oblong, seeds small and rough, with minute points. Throughout Cali- 

 fornia. 



V. SPER'GULA, Com Spurry 



Sepals separate. Petals 5, entire. Stamens 10. Styles 5, 

 alternating with the sepals. Capsule 5-valved, with valves 

 opposite the sepals. 



S. arven'sis L. Annual, branching herbs, with fleshy, thread- 

 like leaves in whorls. Flowers small, white, on long pedicels that 

 become reflexed. Sepals as long as the petals and a little shorter 

 than the capsule. This is a common weed, blooming more or less 

 throughout the year. 



VI. SPERGULA'RIA (TISSA, BUDA, LEPIGONUM), Sand Spurry 



Sepals separate. Petals 5. Stamens 10. Styles 3-5. Cap- 

 sule 3-valved. Leaves usually fleshy, with papery stipules. 

 Flowers white or rose-color. Low herbs, usually growing near 

 the coast or on alkaline soil. 



S. macrothe'ca Robinson. Perennial, much branched from the 

 base, rather stout. Flowers white or rose-color, nearly ^ in. in 

 diameter, on pedicels that become nodding. Capsule slightly sur- 

 passing the calyx. Seeds smooth with a narrow wing. The large 

 ovate stipules are quite noticeable. In salt marshes from Marin 

 County to San Diego. 



ILLECEBRA'CEiE 



This family is similar to CaryophyllacecB, and is included 

 under the latter by some botanists. It has an undivided or 

 2-cleft style, a 1-seeded fruit (like an akene), and the petals 

 wanting or minute. 



