PRIMULACE^_. (PKIMROSK FAMFI.V.) 329 



with small bracts at the summit, l)eariijf; an am])le umhel of showy flowers, 

 uoiUling on slender pedicels. Corolla rose-color, or sometimes white. (Name 

 from SoiSe/co, twelve, and flcoi, (jods, given by IMiny to the primro.se, wliich was 

 believed to be under tlie care of the superior gods.) 



1. D. MeMia, L. (Shooting-Stak.) Kich woods, Penn. and Md. to 

 Wise, south to (ia. and Tex. May, June. — Very handsome in cultivation. 



3. PRIMULA, L. Primrose. Cowslip. 



Calyx tubular, angled, 5-cleft. Corolla salver-shaped, enlarging above the 

 insertion of the stamens; the 5 lobes often notched or inversely heart-sha])ed. 

 Stamens 5, included. Capsule many-seeded, splitting at the top into 5 valves 

 or 10 teeth. — Low perennial herl)s, producing a tuft of veiny leaves at tiie 

 root, and simple scapes, bearing the Howers in an umbel. (Name a diminu- 

 tive oi primus, from the tlowering of the true Primrose in early spring.) 



1. P. farinosa, L. {Biui>'s-eve Primrose.) Scape 3- 10' high; leaves 

 elliptical or obovate-lauceolate, denticulate, the lower side and the 3 - 20-flo\v- 

 ered inmlucre, etc., covered iviih a icliite mealiness, at least when young ; 

 corolla pale lilac with a yellow eye. — Maine to N. shore of L. Superior, and 

 northward. June, July. (Eu., Asia.) 



2. P. Mistassinica, ]\lichx. Scape 2-6' high; leaves spatulate or 

 wedge-oblong, thin and veiny, not mealjj ; involucre 1 - 8-flowered ; lobes of the 

 flesh-colored corolla broadly and deeply obcordate. — Wet banks and shores, 

 northern X. Eng. and N. Y. to L. Superior, and noi-thward. May. (Eu.) 



4. ANDROSACE, Tourn. 



Calyx 5-cleft ; tube short. Corolla salver-sliaped or fuuuel-form ; the tube 

 shorter than the calyx, contracted at the throat; limb 5-parted. Stamens and 

 style included. Capsule 5-valved. — Small herbs, with clustered root-leaves, 

 and very small solitary or umbelled flowers. (An ancient Greek name of a 

 polyp, formerly believed to be a plant.) 



1. A. OCCident^lis, Pursh. Smoothish annual; scapes diffuse (2-4' 

 high), many-flowered ; leaves and leaflets of the involucre oblong-ovate, entire, 

 sessile ; calyx-lobes leafy, triangular-lanceolate, longer than the (wiiite) corolla. 



— Bare hills, from Minn, to 111. and Ark., and west to the mountains. 



5. TRIE NT A LIS, L. Chickweed-Wixtergueex. 



Calyx mo.stly 7-parted ; the divisions linear-lanceolate, pointed. Corolla 

 mostly 7-parted, spreading, flat, without tube. Filaments slender, united in a 

 ring at the base ; anthers oblong, revolute after flowering. Capsule few-seeded. 



— Low and smooth perennials, with simple erect stems, bearing a few alternate 

 usually minute and scale-like leaves below, and a whorl of thin veiny leaves at 

 the summit. Peduncles one or more, very slender, l)earing a delicate white and 

 star-shaped flower. (A Latin name, meaning the third part of a foot, alluding 

 to the height of the plant.) 



1. T. Americana, Pursh. (Star-flower.) Spreading by very slender 

 elongated rootstocks ; loaves elongated-lanceolate, tapering to both ends ; petals 

 finely ])ointcd. — Damp cold woods, from Lab. to Minn., south to N. Ind., and 

 the mountains of Va. May. — liootstocks often 1 - 2^ long {Ilitchinjs}. 



