PINK TRIBE 



43 



Sagina Procumbens 

 {Procumbent Pearl- 

 wort) 



5. Sagina (Pearl-wort) 

 Sepals, stamens, and styles 4 



1. S. procumbens (Procumbent Pearl-wort). Stems prostrate, 

 smooth ; leaves awl-shaped ; petals much shorter than the sepals ; 

 capsules curved downwards before ripening. 

 Well known to gardeners as a troublesome weed 

 infesting the paths, and so prolific as to require 

 repeated eradication. The flowers are at all 

 times inconspicuous ; the stems are from 1-3 

 inches high. Fl. all the summer. Annual or * 

 perennial. 



Three other British species occur, which are so 

 nearly allied to the above as to be considered 

 by some botanists mere varieties : S. apetala is 

 small and slight, not branched, or only slightly 

 so ; the petals very small or entirely wanting. S. ciliata is downy, 

 the sepals lying close to the capsule. S. maritima (Sea Pearl-wort) 

 has blunt fleshy leaves, and flowers destitute of petals. 



Stamens 10 ; sepals, petals, and styles 5 



2. 5. nodosa (Knotted Pearl-wort). Leaves opposite, growing to- 

 gether at the base, upper ones very short, growing in knots ; flower- 

 stalks always erect ; petals longer than the calyx. A pretty little 

 plant 2-4 inches high, with conspicuous white flowers 2 or 3 together, 

 and tufted leaves. Wet sandy places, not uncommon. Fl. sum- 

 mer. Perennial. 



3. S. Linncei (Alpine Pearl-wort). In habit very nearly allied to 

 S. procumbens, but it is perennial, and the corolla more conspicuous. 

 Three forms occur : 



S. saxatalis, which is the common type, stems prostrate, fruiting- 

 stems erect. A native of the Scotch mountains. 



5. nivalis. A tufted variety with erect flower- 

 stalks. Very rare ; found only on some mountain- 

 tops in Scotland. 



5. subulata (Awl-shaped Pearl-wort). Common 

 in gravelly pastures. 



6. Mcenchia 



1. M. erecta (Upright Mcenchia). A small up- 

 right plant 2-6 inches high, with narrow, rigid 

 glaucous leaves, and white flowers, which are large 

 in proportion to the rest of the plant ; the sepals 

 are sharp-pointed, with a membranous edge ; the 

 petals expand only in the sunshine. Fl. May and 

 [Upright Mcenchia) June. Annual. 



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