NYCTAGINACE&.AMARANTACE&. 2 8l 



2. P. LANCEOLATA (Ribwort"). Leaves lanceolate, strongly 3-5-nerved, 

 nearly entire, tapering at both ends ; petioles slender ; scape slender, angu- 

 lar, more or less pubescent ; spike ovate, densely flowered ; stamens whitish. 

 In dry, grassy fields, 6'-2o' high. May-October. 



APETALOUS EXOGENS WITH PERFECT FLOWERS. 



Order LXIV. NYCTAGINACE^E. 



Herbs, or shrubs. Leaves opposite, one of each pair smaller 

 than the other. Calyx colored, at length separating from the 

 lower part, which hardens and incloses the achenium. Stamens 

 hypogynous, 1-20. Ovary free, i -celled. Style i. Stigma I. 

 Fruit an achenium. 



Mirabilis. Calyx funnel-form, with 2 bracts at base ; tube con- 

 tracted, free from the ovary; limb plaited, entire, deciduous. Stamens 

 5. Style I. Stigma globose. 



M. JALAPA (Four-o'clock). Stem erect, dichotomous, smooth ; leaves 

 opposite, acuminate, smooth ; flowers pedicellate, in axillary and terminal 

 clusters, large and fragrant ; root large and tuberous. A showy plant, in 

 cultivation, 2-3 feet high. June-September. 



Order LXV. AMARANTACE^E (Amaranth Family). 



Herbs, or shrubs. Leaves alternate, without stipules. Flow- 

 ers in heads or spikes, or dense clusters, furnished with dry and 

 scarious, usually colored bracts. Calyx consisting of 3-5, dry and 

 scarious, persistent sepals. Stamens 3-5, or more, hypogynous, 

 distinct or monadelphous. Ovary free, i -celled, with i or more 

 ovules. Fruit a utricle, rarely a many-seeded capsule. 



Leaves opposite Gotnphrena. 



AMARANTACE^E. -, ,_,. c ^, 



j Flowers perfect Celosia. 



, Leaves alternate < 



{ Flowers imperfect Amarantus. 



I. Amarantus. Flowers monoecious or polygamous, sometimes 

 dioecious, with 3 bracts. Sepals 3-5, mostly colored, persistent. Sta- 

 mens 3-5. Styles 2-3, sometimes 4, filiform. Utricle indehiscent, 

 i-seeded. 



A. ALBUS (White Pigweed}. Smooth; stem erect or ascending, angu- 

 lar ; leaves obovate, entire, retuse, with a mucronate point, light green ; 

 flowers greenish, inconspicuous, in axillary clusters. Common weed, 1-2 

 feet high. July. 



