Drom-n. LYTIIRA(M^/K 213 



1. DROSERA, Linn. Sundew. 

 Calyx 5-parte(l, imbricated in the biul, persistent. Petals 5, mostly convolute in 

 the bud, withcring-[)ersistent. Stamens 5. Styles mostly 3, and each 2-parted, so 

 as to appear as G iiliform or somewhat clavate ones, stigmatose down the inner side. 

 Capsule oblong, 1 -celled with 3 parietal placentna, .3-valvod from the top, a placenta 

 on the middle of each valve. Seeds very numerous and small, anatropous, with a 

 small embryo at the base or in the axis of the fleshy albumen. — Low perennials or 

 biennials, of brownish or reddish rather than green hue ; the herbage beset with 

 bristle-stalked glands which secrete a drop of clear and glairy liquid ; stipules a vil- 

 lous fringe at the base of the petiole ; leaves inrolled from the apex or the blade 

 inflexed in the bud, in ours all crowded in a rosulate tuft at the base of a naked 

 scape, which bears a unilateral scorpioid (apparent) raceme or spike ; but the flowers 

 are not in the axils of the bracts. Flowers generally (in ours) white, each one open- 

 ing in the morning for a single day. 



Of tlio 100 fl])Pc.io3, or lliproahout, only six or Boven nro KorUi Aniorii-an, nnd liuH' of those are 

 also Kuropoan, two of tlioin occurring rarely in California. Tlio greater niunlicr are S. Australian. 

 All at leiust of the common species are insectivorous. For an account of tlicir ronmrkaVile liabits 

 and structure see Darwin, Insectivorous Plants, 1875. 



1. D. rotundifolia, Linn. Leaves spreading ; the blade rounded, 2 to 6 lines 

 in diameter, abruptly narrowed into the slender hairy or naked petiole : scape 3 to 

 6 inches high, few-flowered : petals oblong, 2 lines long, a little exceeding the 

 oblong sepals : styles very short : capsule included in the calyx : soiuls linear, with 

 a loose coat. 



In cold swamps in the Sierra Nevada (7?)r7r<;r, Bolnudrr, Lcmmon) ; Mendocino Co. (Bolander) ; 

 and northward to the Arctic circle. On the Atlantic side of the continent it ranges southward to 

 Florida; it is also found in Europe and Asia. 



2. D. Anglica, Hudson. Leaves ascending, cuneate-oblong, attenuate into the 

 slender naked petiole: scape 3 to 6 inches high, sometimes forked at the top, few- 

 flowered : petals linear-oblanceolate, 3 or 4 lines long, nearly twice longer than the 

 oblong sepals : capsule exceeding the calyx : seeds linear, with a loose coat. 



Sierra County, Lcmmon. Common in Europe and Siberia, Init rnroly collected in North 

 America, lieiuff reported only from liio Norliiwost Coast {i\friizirs), IJrilish America (Kkhnrdion), 

 and Newfoun(Uand. The more frc(pient I), infrnncdia, llayne (the JJ. loiiglfnlia of authors and at 

 least in part of Liunreus), is distinguished by the close rough seed-coat, rather smaller flowers, &c. 



Order XXXVIL LYTHRACE.ffi. 



Herbs (or in warm countries sometimes shrubs or trees), with simple and entire 

 leaves, calyx tubular or cainpanulato and free from the ovary and capsule but en- 

 closing it, the petals (often wanting) and definite stamens borne in its throat, a 

 single style, numerous small anatropous seeds on a central placenta, and no albumen. 

 Capsule generally becoming one-celled by the vanishing of thin partitions. No 

 stipules, and no translucent dots in the leaves. Distinguished from the two follow- 

 ing orders by the free ovary, from the flrst of them also by the numerous seeds. 



An order of little conse(pience and feeble representation in temperate regions, espeei.illy in.N. 

 America, the plants being mostlv inert weeds. Several Mexican and S. American species of Cii- 

 phca are cultivated for ornament ; also the beautiful Crape-Mvrflc, Lnficrstrmnin. Ivdka, which is 

 planted in the Southern Atlantic States, and which would llourisli in a large part of California. 

 Punica rirnnntum, the Pomegranate, has recently been referred to this order, instead of MurlAcca:., 

 but its characters do not accord with either. 



