448 STATICE. [CLASS V. ORDER V. 



and sometimes, but rarely, two obscure lateral ones, quite smooth, or 

 sometimes with a few pale slender hairs on the margin and mid-rib. 

 Scape erect, round, smooth, or more or less clothed with a close soft 

 downiness, three or four times longer than the leaves, sheathed at the 

 top with a close brown membrane, with a torn edge. Floioers nu- 

 merous, in a round head, inodorous, rose coloured. Involucre of 

 numerous scales, the outer ones ovate-lanceolate, with a pale brown 

 thin membranous margin, the inner ones broadly ovate, obtuse, almost 

 entirely membranous, united at the base into short tubes, or in a 

 tubular form. Calyx funnel-shaped, the tube striated, with ten ribs, 

 rough, with hairs pointed upwards, the limb longer than the tube, 

 membranous, with five slender ribs, mostly hairy, continued from the 

 tube, and elongated beyond the edge of the membrane in a short 

 bristle, the pedicle of the calyx smooth, about as long as the tube, 

 obliquely attached to the calyx. Corolla of five oblong obtuse petals, 

 attenuated at the base, separate, or shortly united. Stamens attached 

 to the base of the petals, with slender filaments, shorter than the 

 petals. Anthers oblong, yellow. Styles ciliated, with long naked 

 thread-like stigmas, as long as the stamens. Fruit a one celled ovate- 

 oblong membranous capsule, enveloped in the persistent calyx. Seed 

 solitary, pendulous from the apex of the umbilical cord, which arises 

 from the bottom of the capsule. Albumen fleshy. Embryo straight. 



Habitat. — Muddy sea shores, and amongst rocks by the seaside; 

 frequent. 



Perennial ; flowering in July and August. 



Thrift is so called from its capability of growing in almost any 

 situation, from the clear pure atmosphere of our mountain tops, and 

 the saline breezes of the sea shore to the smoke-loaded air of our 

 close ciUes and towns. It flowers freely for a considerable period 

 of the summer months, and its bushy gi-ass-like foliage, with its long 

 hard penetrating roots, render it an admirable plant for making edgings 

 to flower borders, &c., and few gardens, especially in towns, have more 

 suitable borders combining beauty and durability than when made 

 with this plant. 



S. plantaginea, a species not unfrequent on the Continent, was 

 found on the west coast of the Island of Jersey, in August, 1833, and 

 is admitted into our Flora by Sir W. J. Hooker. We, however, much 

 doubt its claim as a British plant. Its leaves are linear lanceolate, 

 from three to five nerved, with a simple scape, bearing a round head of 

 pale purple flowers, the outer scales of the involucre with a tapering 

 point, the inner very obtuse, the calyx limb with five long bristly teeth, 

 and the petals roundish or truncated. 



** Floivers on one side on a paniculated scape. — (Taxanthema, Neck.) 



2 S. Limo'nium, Linn. (Fig. 511.) Spreading-spiked Thrifty or 



Sea Lavender. — Scape roundish, paniculated at the top; leaves ovate- 



