332 I'RI.MULACE.E. (PRIMROSE FAMILY.) 



10. CENTUNCULUS, Dill. Chakfweed. 



Calyx 4 - 5-parted. Corolla shorter than the calyx, 4 - 5-cleft, wheel-shaped, 

 with an urn-shaped short tube, usually Avithering on the summit of the pod 

 (which is like that of Anagallis). Stamens 4 or 5 ; filaments beardless. — 

 Small annuals, with alternate entire leaves, and solitary inconspicuous flowers 

 in their axils. (Derivation obscure.) 



1. C. nainiraus, L. Stems ascending (2 -6' long) ; leaves ovate, obovate, 

 or spatulate-oblong ; flowers nearly sessile, the parts mostly in fours. — Low 

 grounds, from 111. and ^linn. to Fla. and Tex., and westward. (Eu.) 



11. SAMOLUS, Tourn. Water Pimpernel. Brook-weed. 



Calyx 5-cleft ; the tube adherent to the base of the ovary. Corolla somewliat 

 bell-shaped, .5-cleft, commonly with 5 sterile filaments in the sinuses. True 

 stamens 5, on the corolla-tube, included. Capsule globose, .5-valved at the sum- 

 mit, many-seeded. — Smooth herbs, with alternate entire leaves, and small 

 white racemed flowers. . ("According to Pliny, an ancient Druidical name.") 



1. S. Valerandi, "L. Stem erect (6-12' high), leafy; leaves obovate 

 or spatulate, the basal rosulate ; bracts none ; slender pedicels ascending, 

 bracteolate in the middle. (Eu.) — Var. Americanus, Gray. More slen- 

 der, becoming diffuse ; racemes often pauicled, tlie pedicels longer and spread- 

 ing. — Wet i^laces, through the U. S. June - Sept. 



Order 62. SAPOTACE^E. (Sapodilla Family.) 



Trees or shrubs, mostly icith a milky juice, simple and entire alternate 

 leaves (often rusty-downy beneath), small and perfect regular /lowers usu- 

 ally in axillary clusters ; the calyx free and persistent : the fertile statnens 

 commonly as many as the lobes of the hypogynous short corolla and oppo- 

 site them, inserted on its tube, along with one or more rows of appendages 

 and scales (or sterile stamens); anthers turned outward; ovary 4-12- 

 celled, tcith a single anatropous ovule in each cell; seeds large. — Albumen 

 mostly none ; but the large embryo with thickened cotyledons. Style 

 single, pointed. — A small, mostly tropical order, producing the Sapo- 

 dilla or Star-apple, and some other edible fruits. 



1. BUM ELI A, Swartz. 



Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 5-cleft, with a pair of internal appendages at each 

 sinus. Fertile stamens 5 ; anthers arrow-shaped. Sterile stamens 5, petal- 

 like, alternate with the lobes of the corolla. Ovary 5-celled. Fruit small, 

 resembling a cherry, black, containing a large ovoid and erect seed, with a 

 roundish scar at its base. — Flowers small, white, in fascicles from the axils of 

 the leaves. Branches often spiny. Leaves often fascicled on short spurs. 

 Wood very hard. (The ancient name of a kind of Asli.) 



1. B. lycioides, Pers. (SoutherxBcckthorx.) Spiny (10-25° high) ; 

 leaves wedge-ohlong varying to oval-lanceolate, with a tapering base, often acute, 

 reticulated, nearly glabrous (2 -4' long); clusters densely many flowered, gla- 

 brous , fruit ovoid. — Moist ground, Va. to S. 111., Fla., and Tex. May, June. 



