v^oj.jiOi!i^ r . 339 



Herbs or undershrubs, often decumbent at base ; leaves alternate or 

 opposite, stipulate or exstipulate ; flowers cymose, usually 1 -parous 

 by abortion, in false racemes, or more rarely umbelliform {Europe, 

 N. Africa and Western Islands, W. Asia, Temperate America, both Con- 

 tinents). See p. 332. 



3. Hudsonia L. — Flowers nearly of Helianthemvm ; petals 5, very 

 fugacious. Stamens 3. Placentas 3, 2-ovulate. Capsule included 

 in connivent calyx, 3-valved. Seeds 1 or few ; embryo slender 

 uncinate-circinate. — Csespitose underslirubs, or small shrubs (eri- 

 coidal) ; leaves small, acerose, imbricated ; flowers small {North 

 America). See p. 333. 



4. Lechea L. — Flowers 2-morphous ; petals in fertile flowers 3, 

 small, narrow. Stamens few. Placentas of germen 3, 2-ovulate ; 

 style usually short, stigmatiferous fimbriate, 3-merous at apex. 

 Capsule 3-valved; valves finally separating from placenta or semi- 

 septa, membranous or firmer {Lecheoides) ; seeds few ; embryo sub- 

 central, nearly straight or subspiral. — Herbs or undershrubs many 

 stemmed, thin ; flowers very small {North America). See p. 333. 



z 2 



