224 PORTUI.ACACE.ffi. 



Herbs, usually of humble size, very smooth, slightly suc- 

 culent, either annual with fibrous roots, or perennial from a 

 caudex or globular tuber ; the leaves plane and entire ; the 

 radical ones long-petioled ; the cauline rarely alternate, or in 

 several pairs, usually a single pah, either distinct or connate. 

 Inflorescence racemiform and usually secund (but the bracts, 

 if any, not subtending the pedicels), or rarely manifestly 

 cymulose : the petals rose-color or white. 



Etymology. Dedicated to John Clayton, of Virginia, one of the earliest 

 botanists of this country, and who furnished to Gronovius the materials of 

 the Flora Virginica. 



Geographical Distribution, &c. A North American and Siberian 

 genus of about twenty known species, of which two, belonging to Clay- 

 tonia proper, are natives of the United States and Canada, and are among 

 the prettiest of our vernal flowers. The greater number, and especially the 

 annual species, are indigenous to Oregon and North California. 



PLATE 97. Claytonia Virginica, Linn. ; — plant of the natural size. 

 (Botanic Garden, Cambridge ; from New York.) 



1. Diagram of the flower, ajstivation, &c. 



2. A petal with the stamen attached, enlarged. 



3. Outside, and 4, inside view of a stamen, more magnified. 



5. Pistil, enlarged. 



6. The ovary, vertically divided, showing the insertion of the ovules. 



7. An ovule, more magnified. 



8. Dehiscent capsule, with the seeds, and the persistent calyx, enlarged. 



9. A seed, more magnified. 



10. Vertical section of the same, showing the embryo curved almost round 

 the albumen. 



