172 



POPULAR FLORA. 



WiNTEKBEEKT H. Or Black Alder. Leaves thin and deciduous, serrate, veiny, obovate or ob- 

 long; peduncles very short; parts of the blossom often in sixes; fruit red. Shrub: low grounds. 

 This belongs to the section Prims. -f- verlicillaia. 



55. EBONY FAMILY. Order EBENACEJE. 

 Of this small family, we have only one species, a tree, which deserves notice, viz. ; — 



423 Persimmon. Diospyros. 



Tree with alternate thi^kish leaves; 

 / Xxn, ^^ .A<S^ in their axils some trees bear clustered 



staminate flowers, with a 4-cIeft corolla 

 and about 16 stamens; others single and 

 larger perfect flowers, with a 4-lobed 

 corolla and 8 stamens. Calyx 4-cleft, 

 rather large, thickish. Corolla pale yel- 

 ,]ow. Pistil one, with 4. styles: the'ovary 

 ripening into a plum-like fruit, which is 

 very astringent when green, but sweet 

 and yellow and eatable after frosts, con- 

 ,jj ,K 42, taining 8 large and bony flat seeds. 



422. Ferule flnwer. 42). Coi-olla and slameiis of the same, laid open. Jj- Vlrginianil. 



424. Fruit. 425. Section of tile Raiiie. 



56. PLANTAIN FAMILY. Order PLANTAGINACE./E. 

 Consists mainly of the genus of low stemless herbs called 



Plantain (or Rib-Grass). Plantago. 

 Flowers greenish, on a scape, in a close spike. — Calyx of 4 persistent sepals. Corolla 

 salver-shaped, thin, withering on the pod, 4-lobed. Stamens 4, generally with-very long 

 and weak filaments, borne on the corolla. Style and stigma one, slender. Pod 2-celled, 

 opening crosswise, the top falling off as n, lid, the loose partition falling out with the 

 Leaves generally with strong ribs. 

 Common Plantain. Leaves ovate or 

 slightly heart-shaped, several-ribbed; 

 seeds 7 to 16. P- major. 



ViKGiNiA P. Small (2' to V high), hairy; 

 leaves oblong, 3- 6-ribbed; seeds 2. 



P. Virginica. 

 English P. or I!ipple-Gea3s. Hairy, 

 ■with long lance-shaped or linear leaves, 

 and a short and thick spike or head, on 

 a scape 1° or 2° high; seeds 2. Com- 

 mon E. P. lanceolaia. 

 Seaside P. Smooth; leaves linear, thick 



428 427 4Q9 426 



and fleshy; seeds 2. Salt marshes on the .„„ „ ., - d, . . -^ . a ,« ^ joo p.. 



M.iu. vja J , ^ 426, Young apike of common Plttiitmn. 427. A flower inagntfied. 428. Pis. 



coast. -P* Tnat'i.tiTna.. til uf the same. 4'«9. Fruit, ojiening by a lid , the withered corolla oii Itis 



