SCLERANTHACE.E. KNAWEL TRIBE. 535 



5. SALSOLA (Saltwort). 



1. S. Kali (Prickly Saltwort). The only British 

 species. Sandy sea shore, common. A small plant 

 with prostrate, branched stems, and succulent awl- 

 shaped leaves, each of which terminates in a sharp 

 prickle ; the flowers are solitary, and have 3 bracts at 

 the base of each. The whole plant abounds in alkaline 

 salt, whence its name. FL July. Annual. 



6. SALICORNIA (Glasswort}. 



1. S. herbdcea (Jointed Glasswort). Stem herbaceous, 

 jointed ; leav.es 0. Salt marshes, abundant. A singular 

 plant 4 8 inches high, consisting of a number of fleshy 

 joints, each of which is fitted into the one below, entirely 

 destitute of leaves, and bearing between every two joints 

 of the terminal branches 3 inconspicuous green flowers. 

 Fl. August, September. Annual. 



* S. radicans (Rooting Glasswort) is a less common 

 species, having prostrate, rooting stems. Both species 

 abound in soda, which is used in the manufacture of 

 glass ; hence the name Glasswort. 



ORD. LXIX. SCLEBANTHACE^. THE KNAWEL 

 TRIBE. 



Perianth tubular, 4 or 5 cleft; stamens 5 10, in- 

 serted into the mouth of the tube ; ovary 1, superior, 

 1 -celled ; styles -2 or 1 notched at the summit; fruit 

 enclosed within the hardened tube of the perianth. 

 Only one British genus belongs to this order, containing 

 but two species, which are small inconspicuous weeds, 

 with wiry much branched stems, scanty foliage, and 

 small greenish flowers, remarkable only for the chaffy 

 edge of the perianth. 



1. SCLERANTHUS (Knawel). Calyx 5-cleft, contracted 

 at the mouth of the tube ; petals 0; stamens 10, rarely 



