ONAGRACEAE 89 



Sab. Fields; fence-rows, Ac.: frequent Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. There are 3 or 4 varieties of this; one of which (Oe. grandi- 

 flora, Ait.), with very large flowers (frequent in gardens), it is in- 

 teresting to observe, while its petals are expanding in the twilight 

 of a summer's evening. 



2. CE. flruticusa, L. Stem slender, rigid, purplish; leaves 



oblong-lanceolate, denticulate; capsule clavate, acutely 4-angled, 



pedicellate. 



SHRUBBY OENOTHERA. Sun-drops. 



Perennial f Stem 1% to 3 feet high, simple or often branched from the base. 

 Leaves about 2 inches long, sessile. Flowers yellow, middle-size, in a terminal 

 bracteate raceme. Capsule about half an inch long, the angles sometimes winged, 

 tapering at base to an angular pedicel 1 to 3 or 4 lines in length. 

 Hob. Dry hills, and pastures : frequent. Fl. June. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. This, also, presents some varieties; but the foregoing are 

 probably the only distinct species, indigenous to the County. 



132. OAITRA, L. 



[Gr. Gauros, superb ; not particularly applicable to our plant.] 

 Calyx-tube much longer than the ovary. Petals lance -oblong, as- 

 cending, or turned to the upper side. Anthers oblong, incumbent. 

 Capsule ovoid, ribbed, bony or nut-like, nearly indehiscent, 1- or 

 few-seeded. Seeds not comose. Leaves alternate, sessile. 



1. r. Ijieimis, L. Stem hairy ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, acute, 

 denticulate ; capsule subsessile. 

 BIENNIAL GAURA. 



Stem 2 to 4 or 5 feet high, hard, branching, often purple. Leaves 1 to 4 or 5 

 inches long, acute at each end, finally purple. Ftou>ers at first reddish-white, at 

 length purple, in terminal spikes, beginning in dense corymbs, and gradually 

 elongating. Capsules 1 third to half an inch long, quadrangular-ovoid. 

 Hob. Along the Schuylkill: rare. FL Aug. Fr. Octo. 



j- f PETALS mostly 4 ; stamens as many. 

 133. L-UOWIG'IA, L. 



[In honor of Christian Gottlieb Ludwig; a German Botanist.] 

 Calyx-tube not any longer than the ovary ; segments 4, more or less 

 persistent. Petals sometimes wanting. Capsule quadrangular- 

 obovoid, or oblong, many-seeded. Perennials : flowers axillary. 



* Leaves alternate; petals 4. 



1. Ij. al t < r ill folia, L. Stem erect; leaves lanceolate, sub- 

 sessile ; capsules quadrangular-obovoid, the angles winged. 

 Isnardia alternifolia. DC. $ Fl. Cestr. ed. 2. p. 109. 

 ALTERNATE-LEAVED LUDWIGIA. Bastard Loose-strife. Seed-box. 



Stem 2 to 3 feet high, much branched, often purplish. Leaves 2 to 3 inches long, 

 acute, tapering at base. Flowers yellow ; calyx-segments acuminate, deciduous ; 

 petals roundish-obovate, caducous. Capsule about ^ of an inch in diameter, the 

 apex broad and convex, opening by a central foramen; peduncle the length of the 

 capsule. 

 Hob. Wet meadows; along rivulets, &c. : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Sept 



