70 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 



MOLLUGO, L. 



Low branching annuals. Sepals 5, greenish outside, white 

 inside. Corolla wanting. Stamens 5, alternate with the 

 sepals, or 3, alternate with the cells of the ovary. Capsule 

 3-celled, many-seeded. 



1. M. verticillata, L. CARPET-WEED. Stems branching and 

 forming radiating patches. Leaves clustered in apparent whorls at 

 the joints of the stem, spatulate. Flowers in little sessile umbels at 

 the joints. Stamens commonly 3. A troublesome weed in sandy 

 soil and common on sandy beaches and river banks. 



29. PORTULACACE^E. PURSLANE FAMILY. 



Generally herbs. Leaves opposite or alternate, entire ; 

 stipules dry and membranaceous. Sepals 2. Petals 4 or 

 more, distinct or united below. Stamens 4 or more, free or 

 adnate to the petals. Ovary usually free, 1-celled; style 

 simple or 3-cleft ; ovules 2-many. Capsule opening trans- 

 versely with a lid, or 2-3-valved. 



I. CLAYTONIA, Gronov. 



Perennial ; stem simple, smooth, erect, 4-10 in. high. 

 Leaves 2, opposite, smooth, succulent. Flowers in a terminal 

 raceme. Sepals 2, ovate, persistent. Petals 5, sometimes 

 coherent at the base. Stamens 5, inserted on the base of 

 the petals. Style 3-cleft, ovary 1-celled, 3-6-seeded. 



1. C. virginica, L. SPRING BEAUTY. Stem simple, erect from a 

 deep, tuberous root. The 2 stem-leaves narrowly elliptical, 3-6 in. 

 long, smooth, fleshy; basal leaves occasionally produced. Flowers 

 on short pedicels. Petals white or pink, with darker veins, ^-f in. 



\ long, notched. Capsule shorter than the persistent sepals. Common 

 \ in rich woods.* 



2. C. caroliniana, Michx. NORTHERN SPRING BEAUTY. Flowers 

 fewer, smaller, and whiter than No. 1, fragrant. Leaves 1-2 in. 

 long, ovate-lanceolate or spatulate, pretty distinctly petioled. Moist 

 woods, especially N. 



