CLASS III. ORDER III. 49 



This grass is remarkable for the length and fineness of its 

 awns, which give to its spikes a hairy appearance. Stems slen- 

 der, smooth, and round, two feet high. Leaves rather short, 

 rough on the back and edge. Sheaths smooth. Receptacle com- 

 pressed, ciliate on the edges, jointed, breaking at the joints as 

 the plant dries. Flowers two ranked, one at each joint or tooth 

 of the receptacle. Each perfect floret is surrounded at its base 

 by an involucre of six long capillary awns, two of which are 

 distinct; the other four unite in pairs a short Avay from their 

 insertion, each pair with a minute, abortive floret in its fork. 

 Outer glume of the calyx lanceolate, ending in an awn six times 

 its length, and equalling those of the involucre. — Marshes. — 

 June. 



TRIGYNIA. 



51. LECHEA. 

 Leche.*^ major. L. Large Pin weed. 



Hairy ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, flowers in fasci- 

 cled racemes, unilateral, on short stalks. 



An upright hairy plant, found upon rocks, dry hills, and sandy 

 fields exposed to the sun. Stem from one to two feet high, stiff, 

 brittle, purple, covered with hair. Leaves nearly oval, reflexed 

 at \{\e margin, downy, whitish underneath. Flowers small, 

 obscure, crowded upon the ends and sides of the branches, fol- 

 lowed by roundish capsules of the size of a large pin head. — 

 July, August. 



Lechea minor. L. Small Pin loeed. 



Snioothish, leaves linear-lanceolate, acute ; panicle 



leafy, its branches elongated, flowering on all sides. 



Grows with the last in dry sterile situations, and is about half 

 its size, its branches finer and more spreading. Leaves narrow, 

 revolute at the margin. Branches numerous, mostly simple. 

 Flowers minute, in small lateral and terminal racemes. Cap- 

 sules round, not larger than mustard seed. — July, August. 



Lechea racemulosa. Mz. Clustered Pin iceed. 



Covered with close hair ; leaves linear, acute, cili- 



