132 MANN, 



site the petals when of the same number, but often indefinite ; the 

 petals sometimes none : otherwise nearly as in Caryophyllacece. 



1. SESTJVIUM Linn. 



Calyx 5-parted, purplish inside, persistent, free. Petals none. 

 Stamens 5 - 60, inserted on the calyx. Styles 3-5, separate. Pod 

 3-5-celled, many-seeded, opening transversely (circumscissile) , the 

 upper part falling off as a lid. Prostrate maritime herbs, with succu- 

 lent stems and (opposite) leaves, and axillary or terminal flowers. 



A small genus, several species maritime. 



1. SESUVIUM PORTULACASTRUM Linn. (Enum. No. 37.) Leaves 

 lanceolate-oblong, flattish; flowers sessile or short peduncled; sta- 

 mens many. 



Coast of the Islands. On the coast of nearly all warm parts of the world. 



2. POBTULACA Tourn. [Akulikuli.] 



Calyx 2-cleft ; the tube cohering with the ovary below. Petals 5, 

 rarely 6, and the 7-20 stamens inserted on the calyx, fugacious. 

 Style mostly 3 - 8-parted. Pod 1-celled, globular, many-seeded, open- 

 ing transversely, the upper part (often with the upper part of the 

 calyx) separating like a lid (circumscissile). Annuals (or perenni- 

 als?), with fleshy leaves, and often showy, white, purple, or red co- 

 rollas. 



Genus small, mostly tropical, and most of the species American. 

 Leaves with tufts of silky hairs in their axils. 



Flowers solitary or nearly so, at the summit of the branches, . . . 1. P. villofa. 



Flowers several together at the summit of the branches, .... 2. P. sclerocarpa. 

 Leaves without silky hairs. Whole plant glabrous, 3. P. oleracea. 



1. P. VILLOSA Cham. (Enum. No. 38.) Low, diffuse; root fleshy. 

 Leaves lanceolate or linear, obtuse, with tufts of silky hairs in their 

 axils. Flowers sessile at the summit of the branches in a dense tuft of 

 hairs; petals "purple," 5" -6" long, rather longer than the sepals. 

 Seeds smooth, or when considerably magnified, minutely marked with 

 sinuous areolations. 



Dry plains in vicinity of Honolulu, Oahu. 



2. P. SCLEROCAKPA Gray* (Enum. No. 39.) Root fleshy and tube- 

 rous, hardy ligneous. Stems thickened at base, 2' -5' high, much 

 branched. Leaves terete, subulate, 4" long, crowded, longer than the 

 copious hairs. Flowers sessile and crowded at the summit of the 

 branches, ' or more long, white (but always?). Capsule spherical, 

 li" - 2" in diameter, the thick walls of a firm and coriaceous texture, 



