WATER WORT TRIBE 



37 



I. Frankenia (Sea Heath) 



I. F. Icevis (Smooth Sea Heath). Leaves narrow, rolled back at 

 the edges, smooth, fringed at the base ; flowers terminal, or from 

 the forks of the stem. A small procumbent plant, with wiry stems, 

 crowded leaves, and pale rose-coloured flowers, growing in muddy 

 salt marshes on the south-eastern coasts of England. Fl. July. 

 Perennial. 



Another species, F. pidvernlenta (Powdery Sea Heath), formeily 

 grew on the sea-coast of Sussex, but is now extinct. 



Natural Order XIII 



ELATINACEyE. Water-wort Tribe 



Sepals 3-5, distinct, or growing together at the base ; petals 

 equal in number to the sepals ; stamens equalling or twice as many 

 as the petals ; ovary 3-5-celled, and with as many styles and globu- 

 lar stigmas ; capsule with 3-5 cells and valves ; seeds wrinkled, 

 springing from the centre of the capsule. Minute, annual, aquatic 

 herbs, with rooting stems and opposite leaves. Found in most 

 parts of the world. 



1. Elatine (Water- wort). Sepals 3-4, growing together at 

 the base ; petals 3-4 ; stamens 3-4 or 6-8 ; seeds cylindrical, 

 furrowed, and transversely striated. (Name of doubtful origin.) 



1. Elatine (Water-wort) 



1. E. hexandra (Six-stamened Water- 

 wort). Flowers stalked ; petals 3 ; sta- 

 mens 6 ; capsule 3-celled ; seeds straight. 

 A minute plant, forming matted, turfy 

 beds on the margin of lakes, or growing 

 entirely submersed. When left by the 

 subsiding water it assumes a bright red 

 hue, but the pink flowers are at all times 

 inconspicuous. Rare. Fl. July to Sep- 

 tember. Annual. 



Elatine Hexandra 

 [Six-stamened Water-wort^ 



2. E. Hydropiper (Eight-stamened Water- wort). Flowers sessile ; 

 petals 4 ; stamens 8 ; capsule 4-celled ; seeds curved. Yet rarer 

 than the preceding, and growing in similar situations. Fl. July 

 to September. Annual. 



