98 CARYOPHYLLACEiE. Stellaria. 



spreading widely, slightly rough on the margin. Stamens 8 - 10. Styles often 4, and 

 occasionally 5. Capsule globose-ovoid, about the length of the calyx. Seeds muricate. 



Wet shady places, rather common. Latter part of May, and early in June. Nearly aUied 

 to S. graminea of Europe. 



3. Stellaria borealis, Bigel. Northern Stitch-wort. 



Smooth and flaccid ; leaves broadly lanceolate, acute, vcinless ; petals (often wanting) 

 2-parted, nearly the length of the lanceolate-acute nerveless sepals ; capsules ovoid-oblong, 

 nearly twice the length of the calyx ; styles usually 4. — Bigel. jl. Bost. p. 182 ; Hook. ft. 

 Bor.-Am. 1. p. 94 ; Torr.^ Gr.fl. N. Am. 1. p. 185. S. lanceolata, Tarr.fl. I. p. 45, not 

 of Pair. Spergulastrum lanceolatum, Michx. ft. I. p. 275. Micropetalon lanceolatum, Pers- 

 syn. 1. p. 509. 



Perennial. Stem 4 - 10 inches long, angular, somewhat diflfusa. Leaves about an inch 

 long, with a single strong nerve. Flowers at first terminal and usualy apetalous, on a slender 

 pedicel, becoming lateral by the evolution of a branch from the axil of each of the upper 

 leaves ; the lateral branches at length fioriferous, bearing petaliferous flowers. Stamens and 

 petals distinctly perigynous. Seeds rather large, nearljr smooth. 



Wet sliady swamps, northern and western parts of the State. June - August. 



6. CERASTIUM. Linn.; Endl. gen. 524:1. mouse-ear CHICKWBED. 



[From the Greek, keras, a hora; in allusion to the form of the capsule.} 



Calyx of 5 ( rarely 4) sepals, which are somewhat united at the base. Petals 5 (sometimes 

 4), bifid or emarginate. Styles 5 (rarely 4). Capsule membranaceous, cylindrical or 

 oblong, opening at the summit by 10 teeth. Seeds numerous, not strophiolale. — Funiculi 

 very short, the seeds separating from them, but remaining suspended from tlie placenta by 

 a spiral vessel. 



1. Cerastium vulgatum, Linn. Common Mouse-ear Chickweed. 



Hairy, pale green ; stems ascending or spreading; leaves ovate or obovate, very obtuse, 

 attenuate at tiie base ; flowers somewhat capitate, when young longer than die pedicels ; 

 capsule cylindrical, twice the length of tiie calyx. — Eng. hot. t. 789; Torr. ft. 1. p. 458; 

 DC. prodr. 1. /a 415 ; Darlingt.fl. Cast. p. 277 ; Torr. ^ Gr.fl.N. Am. I. p. 187. C. semi- 

 decandrum, Walt. ft. Car. p. 241 ; Pursh, ft. I. p. 320. C. hirsutum, Muhl. cat. p. 46 ; EU. 

 sk. 1. p. 524 ; Torr. ft. I. c. C. connatum. Beck, lot. p. 55. 



Plant annual, somewhat viscid when young. Stem 4-10 inches long. Leaves 6-8 

 lines long, the lower ones obovate. Flowers rather crowded. Petals bifid at the summit. 

 Capsule a little curved ; the teeth (as in all the following species) erect and revolute on the 

 margin. Seeds muricate. 



Cultivated grounds, road-sides, etc. Introduced from Europe. May - September. 



