INDIAN-CHESS FAMILY. 73 



0. stric'ta, L. Caulescent ; stem mostly erect, branched and leafy ; 

 peduncles axillary, longer than the petioles. 



UPRIGHT OXALIS. Wood-sorrel. Yellow Wood-sorrel. 



Perennial ? Stem 3 inches to near 2 feet high, more or less pubescent, often bushy, and 

 sometimes nearly prostrate. Leaflets one fourth of an inch to an inch long. Peduncles 

 2-5 inches long, with 2-10 yellow powers. 



Fields and cultivated grounds. May - September. 



06s. The leaves of this very common plant have an agreeable acidity, 

 and are frequently eaten by children. Another species is cultivated, 

 especially in Europe, as a culinary herb. The juice of the various 

 species contains a salt (Binoxalate of Potash) which, under the name 

 of Salts of Sorrel, was formerly much used for removing ink-stains and 

 spots of iron-rust from linen. 



ORDER XVI. TROPJEOLA'CEJ3. (INDIAN-CRESS FAMILY.) 



Herbs with a pungent, watery juice, a straggling or twining stem, alternate petiolate pel- 

 tate or palmate leaves with radiating nerves, and without stipules. Flowers irregular, 

 large on long axillary peduncles. Fruit 3-lobed, composed of 3 united carpels, which are 

 1-seeded, indehiscent, and separate from the common axis when mature. Seeds without 

 albumen, large ; cotyledons thick, distinct when young, finally consolidated or soldered 

 together. 

 A very small Order, and of little interest beyond the genus which represents it. 



1. TROPJE'OLUM, L. NASTURTIUM. 



[Latin, a little banner, or Trophy ; from a fancied similitude in the plant.] 



Calyx colored, 5-parted ; the upper segment spurred at the base. 

 Petals 5, unequal ; the upper two sessile, the others clawed. Stamens 8. 

 Stigmas 2. 



1. T. MA' jus, L. Leaves peltate, sub-orbicular, obscurely repand-lobed, 



the nerves not exserted ; petals obtuse. 



GREATER TROP^BOLUM. Nasturtium. Indian-cress. 



Fr. Grande Capucine. Germ. Die Kapuziner kresse. Span. Capuchina. 



Root annual. Stem 3-6 or 8 feet long, fleshy, smooth. Leaves 2-3 inches in diameter, 

 the nerves which radiate from the centre not projecting beyond the margin (as they do 

 in another species) ; petioles 3 - 6 inches long. Peduncles 1-flowered, mostly longer than 

 the petioles. Petals yellowish or reddish orange, with dark purple stripes and spots the 

 three lower ones fringed at base. Carpels sulcate, fleshy, finally suberose or coriaceous. 



Gardens. Cultivated. Native of South America. Fl. June -September. Fr. August - 

 October. 



Obs. This ornamental stranger is sometimes cultivated for show ; but 

 chiefly for the young fruit which is prepared as a condiment, and af- 

 fords a tolerable substitute for capers. The plant is said to be perennial 

 in its native country (Peru), whence it was brought to Europe in the 

 year 1684. 



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