370 AMATCANTACF^E. (AMARANTH FAMILY.) 



1. ITI. tamarisciim. (Amarantus tamariscinus, NuU., ed. 1. A. 

 altissimus & Miamensis, RidtUH. Acnida altissima, Michx. herb. A. rusocarpa, 

 Moijtiiii, &e.) Low grounds and moist sandy shores, Vermont to "Wisconsin, 

 Illinois, and southward, especially westward. Aug., Sept. Var. CONCATE- 

 NATA is a form with the lower clusters in the fertile plant forming thickish dis- 

 tant heads (i'-i'in diameter) in the axils of the leaves; the stems often low 

 and spreading or decumbent. A very variable plant, as to inflorescence, height 

 (l-6 high), the si/e and shape of the leaves (l'-5' long, the petioles often of 

 the same length), the bracts more or less awl-shaped, equalling or exceeding the 

 fruit (which is that of Amarantus) : but all are forms of one species. The 

 sterile plant is Acnida rusocarpa, Michx., or was mixed with it in Miehaux's 

 collection, but not the fertile ; for the fruit of the present plant is neither obtuse- 

 angled, rugose, nor indehisccnt. Besides, that name is unmeaning. In estab- 

 lishing this genus, therefore, as Moquin clearly would have done had he exam 

 ined the npe fruit, I adopt Nuttall's specific name. 



4. ACNIDA, L. WATER-HEMP. 



Fruit a fleshy and indehiscent utricle, 3 - 5-angled, the angles often rugose or 

 tuberclcd-crested. Stigmas 3-5, shorter than the ovary, linear-awl-shaped. 

 Flowers in rather loose panicled spikes. Otherwise as in the last genus. (Name 

 formed of a privative and Kvidr], a nettle.) 



1. A. cail3i;at$iim, L. Leaves elongated-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 

 long-petioled ; fruit globular (l|-"-2" long), much exceeding the pointless 

 bracts. (1) Salt-marshes on the coast, Massachusetts to Virginia and south- 

 ward. Aug. -Oct. Plant 3 -6 high. Probably the only species ; for A. 

 rusocarpa, Michx., is certainly to be divided between this and Montelia tamaris- 

 cina ; and A. tubcrculata, Moquin, is likely to be one or the other. 



5. IKE SINE, P. Browne. IRESINE. 



Flowers mostly polygamous or dioecious, 3-bracted. Calyx of 5 sepals. Sta 

 mens mostly 5 : filaments slender, united into a short cup at the base : anthers 

 1-celled, ovate. Fruit a globular utricle, not opening. Herbs, with opposite 

 petioled leaves, and minute scarious white flowers crowded into clusters or 

 spiked and branching panicles, the calyx, &c. often bearing long wool (whence 

 the name, from fipeo-tooj/Tj, a branch entwined with fillets of wool borne in pro- 

 cessions at festivals.) 



1. I. celosioides, L. Nearly glabrous, erect, slender (2 -4 high); 

 leaves ovate-lanceolate ; panicles narrow, naked ; bracts and calyx silvery-white, 

 the latter woolly at the base. Dry banks, Ohio, Kentucky, and south- 

 ward.. Sept. 



6. B !:<i: I- 1< II I A, Mcench. (OPLOTHECA, NM.) 



Flowers perfect, 3-bracted. Calyx tubular, 5-cleft at the summit, below 2-0- 

 crested lengthwise, or tnbcrclcd and indurated in fruit, and enclosing the closed 

 thin utricle. Filaments united into a tube, bearing 5 oblong 1-celled anthers, 

 and as many sterile strap-shaped appendages. Hairy or woolly Iwrbs, with 



