164 OXAGRACEJE. (EVEXIXG-PRIMRQSE FAMILY.) 



6. J. hirta, Vahl. Shrubby, hirsute ; branches terete ; leaves broadly 

 lanceolate, acute at each end ; ovary clavate, as long as the 2-bracted pedicel ; 

 calyx lobes 4, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, longer than the tube, shorter than 

 the roundish petals; capsule clavate-oblong, obscurely 4-sided, longer than 

 the bracts. Muddy banks of rivers. South Florida. Shrub 5 -10 



high. 



5. LUDWIGIA, L. SEED-BOX. 



Calyx tube 4-angled or cylindrical, mostly short, not prolonged bevond the 

 ovary. Petals 4, roundish or obcordate, often wanting. Stamens 4. Style 

 short. Stigma capitate. Capsule variously dehiscent, 4-celled, manv-seeded. 

 Perennial and mostly stoloniferous marsh herbs, with entire leaves, and 

 yellow flowers. 



* Capsule cubical, indehiscent, discharging the seeds tln-om/h a central pore of 



the convex disk: caly.r lobes deciduous: petals large: stamens and style 

 slender : leaves alternate : flowers pedicelled. 



1. L. alternifolia, L. Smoothish ; stem much branched ; leaves lanceo- 

 late, short petioled, acute ; calyx lobes spreading, about as long as the petals ; 

 capsule large, wing-angled. Shady swamps. August. Stem 2 -3 high. 

 Flowers axillary, or the upper ones somewhat racemed. 



2. L. virgata, Michx. Tomeutose; stem slender, simple, or branching 

 from the base ; leaves obtuse, sessile, the lowest oblong, the uppermost linear ; 

 flowers in elongated leafy racemes; petals twice as long as the reflexed calyx 

 lobes; capsule strongly 4-angled. Low pine barrens, sometimes in rather 

 drv places. July- August. Stem 2-3high. Varies considerably in 

 pubescence, and in size of the flowers and capsule. 



3. L. hirtella, l\af. Hairy ; stem slender, simple or sparingly branched ; 

 leaves short, lanceolate or oblong, obtuse, sessile and rounded at the base; 

 flowers axillary; petal; 1 twice as long as the erect or spreading calyx lobes ; 

 capsule strongly angled. Flat pine barrens. August Stem 2 -3 high. 



* # Valves oj the capsule teparatin/; from the concare disk, and irregularly 



from the persistent partitions and placenta: calyx fobes persistent: petals 

 small or none : stamens and style short: steins erect or ascending: leaves 

 alternate : flowers sessile. 



H Petals conspicuous. 



4. L. linearis, Walt. Smooth; stem (l-3 high) virgately much 

 branched; leaves linear, acute ; flowers small; capsule clavate-oblong, wiili 

 4 rounded angles. 2-3 times as long as the triangular- ovate calyx lobes. 

 Ditches and ponds in the lower districts. July -Sept. Bark at the base 

 of the stein spongy. 



5. L. linifolia, Poir. Smooth: stem low (6'-12">. creeping at the base, 

 branching; leaves linear or linear-spatulate, often obtuse; capsule linear- 

 cylindrical, rather longer than the lanceolate calyx lobes. Ditches and swamps 

 in the lower districts. July - Sept. 



t -i Petals minute or irnnting. 



6. L. cylindrica, Fll. Smooth ; stem angled above, often much 

 branched ; leaves long, lanceolate, obscurely denticulate, acute, tapering into 



