DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS 49 



numerous whorls at short intervals along the branches. Perianth 

 with the inner divisions all grain-bearing and with 4-6 stiff' bristly teeth 

 on each side. This is an introduced weed, becoming very common. 



e. R. occidentals Watson. Tall, 3-6 ft. in height. Lowest leaves 

 with blade often a foot long and petiole almost as long, ovate to 

 oblong-lanceolate, with the base heart-shaped. Panicle large, almost 

 destitute of leaves. Perianth with large reddish divisions, finely, 

 toothed near the cordate base, without grains on the back. This grows 

 in wet places throughout the Pacific coast and blooms in summer. 



/. R. persicarioi'des L. Annual, generally with many stems, 

 low, erect, or spreading. Leaves linear-lanceolate, on short petioles. 

 Flowers in dense whorls at nearly all the leaf axils. Divisions of the 

 perianth all bearing grains and with 2-3 long, slender, awn-like teeth 

 on each. This is found in wet places, generally along the edges of 

 ponds and lakes. It is widely distributed and blooms in summer. 



IV. POLYG'ONUM, Jointweed, Smartweed 



Flowers perfect in axillary or panicled spikes. Perianth 

 of 5-6 petal-like divisions, often rose-color, not enlarging in 

 fruit. Stamens 4-9. Styles 2-3, with cap-like stigmas. At 

 the base of the petiole there are papery sheaths around the stem. 

 The species are difficult to determine. They generally grow 

 in swainpy places. 



CHENOPODIA'CE.. PIGWEED FAMILY 



Shrubs or herbs, often with fleshy stems and leaves, usually 

 found near the ocean or in alkaline soil, often covered with 

 white scurf. Leaves generally salty or bitterish. Flowers 

 perfect, monoecious or dioecious. Perianth small, of 5 greenish 

 sepals. Stamens as many as the sepals, and opposite them. 

 Ovary 1-celled, with the embryo coiled in a ring or spiral 

 around the endosperm. 



I. CHENOPO'DITJM 



Flowers perfect in axillary or terminal clusters. Perianth 

 nearly covering the fruit, which is round and fattened. Leaves 

 alternate on petioles, often covered with scurf or down. 



