Flcerkea. LIMNANTHACE^. 127 



1. Flcerkea proserpinacoides, Willd. (Plate XVII.) False Mermaid. 



Willd. I. c; Lindl. I. c. ; Torr. <^ Gr. Jl. N. Am. 1. p. 210. F. uliginosa, Muhl. cat. 

 p. 36 ; Raf. in Sill. jour. 1. p. 373 ; Torr. Jl. I. p. 339 ; Darlingt. Jl. Cest. p. 212. F. 

 lacustris, Pers. syn.. l.p. 393. F. palustris, Nutt. gen. l.p. 229. Neclris pinnata, Pursh, 

 Jl. I. p. 239. 



Plant somewhat succulent, of a pale green color. Stem flaccid, at length decumbent, 

 4-10 inches long, nearly simple or branching a little from the base. Leaves on slender 

 petioles, with about 5 lanceolate or elliptical divisions ; the lowermost ones often 2 - 3-lobed. 

 Peduncles at first short, finally an inch or more in length, recurved. Flowers about 3 lines in 

 diameter. Sepals ovate, acute, acuminate. Petals oblong, white, scarcely half as long as the 

 sepals. Stamens shorter than the petals ; the alternate filaments with a small process or gland 

 at the base on the outside. Ovary usually of 2 obovoid carpels, seated on the flattened torus, 

 to a slight prolongation of which the styles are united. The common style is thus placed 

 between the ovaries, and is only connected with them at their bases. Stigmas 2-3, small, 

 capitate. Achenia (sometimes solitary) large for the size of the flower, globose-ovoid, slightly 

 tuberculate, somewhat coriaceous, blackish, closely investing the seed. Testa of the seed 

 thin and membranaceous. Cotyledons elliptical, very thick and fleshy : radicle extremely 

 short, and retracted between the cotyledons : plumule conspicuous. 



Marshes and shady banks of rivers, in the western parts of the State. Fl. April - May. 



This interesting plant was long in finding its place in the Natural System. Its afEnities 

 were finally determined by Dr. Brown. See Lond. <^ Edin. phil. mag. July 1833. 



Group 8. Ovary compound, with from 2 to several cells ; or carpels several, and 

 more or less united by their styles. Calyx free. Petals as rnany as the sepals, 

 or rarely toanting. Stamens as many or twice as ma?iy as the sepals, inserted 

 into the receptacle or hose of the calyx. Flowers often dicecious or polygamous. 



Order XXIX. ANACARDIACEtE. R. Broivn. The Cashew Tribe. 



Flowers perfect, or by abortion often diclinous, regular. Sepals usually 5, rarely 

 3-4-7, distinct or more or less combined, usually persistent. Petals as 

 many as the sepals, inserted into the disk which lines the base of the calyx : 

 aestivation imbricated, or rarely valvate. Stamens as many as the petals and 

 alternate with them, or twice as many or more, a portion sometimes sterile : 



