CHETTOPODIACE^. 435 



1. Common Iiittorel. Xiittorella lacustris, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 468.) 



The small perennial rootstock bears a tuft of bright green, naiTOw-linear, 

 entire radical leaves, from l-V to 3 inches: long. Male pednneles radical, 

 about an inch long, with a single or rarely two terminal flowers, and a small 

 bract lower down. Sepals narrow. Corolla like that of a Plantain, but 

 with small lobes. The stamens, which fonn the most conspicuous part of 

 the plant, have slender filaments, full half an inch long, terminated by 

 large, ovate anthers. Female flowers concealed amongst the leaves, consist- 

 ing of a sessile calyx, split into 3 or 4 unequal sepals, enclosing a small 

 ovary, with a long, thread-like style. Fruit a small nut. 



In mud and wet sand, on the margins of pools, in northern Europe, ex- 

 tending far into the Arctic regions, but chiefly confined to mountains in 

 central and southern Europe. Appears to be widely distributed in Britain, 

 though seldom observed; for it often remains under water without flowering, 

 when its leaves become longer and grass-like. Fl. summer. 



LXI. THE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY. CHENOPODIACE.^. 



Herbs or undershrubs, often succulent, sometimes leafless, 

 more usually with alternate or i-arely opposite leaves, and no 

 stipules ; the small, herbaceous flowers usually in sessile clus- 

 ters, either in axillary or terminal spikes or panicles, and often 

 unisexual. Perianth single, deeply divided into 5, or in some 

 flowers fewer segments. Stamens 5, rarely fewer. Ovary free, 

 with a single ovule. Styles 2 or 3, either free or united at the 

 base. Fruit consisting of a single seed, enveloped in a very 

 thin or sometimes succulent pericarp, and enclosed in the per- 

 sistent calyx, which is sometimes enlarged or altered in form. 

 Seed usually orbicular and flattened ; the embryo curved or 

 spirally twisted, with or without albumen. 



The Order ia spread over the greater part of the world, and is rather 

 numerous in species, especially in maritime situations, or within the influ- 

 ence of a saline soil or atmosphere, where they sometimes, in combination 

 with Artemisias, give a general grey aspect to the country. They are not 

 easily confounded with any other British Order, but approach very near to 

 the Amaranth family, which is chiefly distinguished by the presence of 2 or 

 3 small bracts under each flower, and by the tendency of the perianth to 

 become searious or coloured. 



Stem succulent and jointed, without leaves. Stamens 1 or 2 ... 1. Salicoeit. 

 Stem leafy, not jointed. Stamens 5. 



Leaves narrow, senii-cylindrieal (as thick as broad). 

 Leaves rather succulent and linear, not prickly. Fruiting periantli 



not altered 2. Su^uA. 



Leaves prickly. Fruiting perianth encircled by a scarioua wing . 3. Saltwoet. 

 Leaves flat. 



Perianth mostly 5-cleft and regular, even when in fruit. 



Fruiting perianth succulent, enlarged, with prominent ribs or 



protuberances 5. Best. 



