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 muricatc. 



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

 to S. graminea of Europe. 



3. Stellaria borealis, Bigel. Northern Slitch-twrt. 



Smooth and flaccid ; leaves broadly lanceolate, acute, veinless ; 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. fl. Bost. p. 182 ; Hook. ft. 

 Bor.-Am. 1. p. 94 ; Torr.^ Gr.fl. N. Am. 1. p. 185. S. lanceolata, Ton: ft. 1. p. 45, not 

 ofPotV. Spergulastrum lanceolatum, Michx. ft. I. p. 275. Micropetalon lanceolatum, Per5- 

 syn. 1 . p. 509. 



Perennial. Stem 4-10 inches long, angular, somewhat diffuse. 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 floriferous, bearing petaliferous flowers. Stamens and 

 petals distinctly perigynous. Seeds rather large, nearly smooth. 



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



6. CERASTIUM. Linn.; Endl. gen. 5241. MOUSE-EAJt CHICKWEED. 



[From the Greek, keras, a horn; in allosion 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 strophiolate. — Funiculi 

 very short, the seeds separating from them, but remaining suspended from the 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 the base ; flowers somewhat capitate, when young longer than the pedicels ; 

 capsule cj'lindrical, twice the length of the cah'x. — ling. hot. t. 789 ; Torr. fl. I. p. 458 ; 

 DC. prodr. I. p. ^5 -^ Darlingt. ft. Cest. p. 277 ; Torr. 4- Gr. ft. N. Am. 1. p. 187. C. semi- 

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

 sk. 1. p. 524 ; Ton: ft. I. c. C. connatum, Beck, hot. 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. 



