OP MARINE COASTS. 79 



F. hirsuta L. 



Perennial herb, prostrate, seldom erect; leaves linear or oblong- 

 linear, margins revolute. 



A true halophyte, occurring in Southern Europe, North Africa, and 

 Siberia. 



F. pulverulenta L. 



Annual herb, prostrate; leaves obovate, thickly pulverulent on lower 

 side. 



On seashores of the whole Mediterranean, but not confined to sand 

 formations. 



CARYOPHYLLACEAE. 



Amnwdenia peploides (L.) Eupr. 



Perennial herb, with long, brown rootstocks, fleshy, glabrous; stems 

 tufted, stout, simple or branched, erect or diffuse, 7 — 25 cm. high; 

 leaves sessile, clasping, ovate, acute; flowers small. 



On sandy beaches and littoral dunes in Northern Europe and Asia, 

 and on the Atlantic coast of North America from New Jersey to the 

 Arctic. 



Arenaria serpyllifolia L. 



Annual tufted herb, slender, slightly pubescent, much-branched, 

 diffuse, 5 — 20 cm. high; leaves ovate; flowers white. 



Occurs often on dunes of Europe, Northern Asia and is introduced 

 into North America. Not confined to coast. 



Cerastium semidecandrum L. 

 also not unfrequently occurs on dunes of Europe, but is not a sea coast 

 plant. It often varies when growing near the sea. 



Sagina crassicualis Wats. 



Perennial herb, smooth, stem stoutish and succulent, branching, 

 3 — 12 cm. long, decumbent; leaves linear, thickish, 4 — 10 mm. long, the 

 basal forming a rosette, the cauline connate by broad searious mem- 

 branes. 



Beaches of California from Monterey to Tomales Bay. 



8. procumbens L. 

 Annual, 3 — 5 cm. high, branching and decumbent at base, forming 

 tufts, glabrous; leaves subulate, forming at base a short sheath; flowers 

 small. 



