8i COMMOX CANADIAN WILD PLANTS. 



2. L. alternifo'lia, L. (Seed-box.) Stem branching, 

 about 3 feet high, nearly smooth. Flowers yellow, conspicu- 

 ous, peduncled in the Tipper axils. , Leaves alternate, pointed 

 at both ends. Capsules wing-angled. — S. "W". Ontario. 



3. L. polyearp'a, Short and Peter. Stem 1-3 feet high, 

 erect and branching, but producing runners at the base. 

 Flowers small, sessile in the axils, with greenish petals or 

 none. Leaves acute at both ends, those of the runners 

 oblong-spathulate, Bractlets at the base of the capsules 

 linear-awl-shaped. — S. W. Ontario, not common. 



Okdee XXXVni. MELASTOMA'CEiG. (Melastoma F.) 



Low herbs with opposite 3-5-ribbed leaves. Calyx-tube 

 adherent to the ovary, the limb 4- cleft. Petals 4, showy, 

 convolute in the bud. Stamens 8, with 1-celled anthers 

 opening by a pore at the apex ;■ these and the petals inserted 

 on the calyx. Style and stigma 1." Pod 4-celled, many- 

 seeded ; seeds coiled. The only representative with us is 



SIIEXIA, L. DEEj.-GiiASS. MEADOw-BEAtrry. 

 . R. Virgin'iea; L. Stem square, wing-angled. Leaves 

 oval-lanceolate. Petals purple. — Shores of the Muskoka 

 Lakes. , 



Okder XXXIX. LYTHBA'CE.*. (Lodsestkiee F.) 

 Herbs, or slightly woody plants, with opposite or whorled 

 entire leaves, without stipules. Calyx enclosing, hut free 

 from, the wary. Petals and stamens inserted on the calyx, 

 Flowers axillary or whorled. . Style 1. Stigma ^capitate. 



Synopsis of tlic Genera. 



1. I.ytli'1-iini. Petals mostly 6. Stamens mostly 6 or 12. Flowers 



purple, solitary in the axils, or forming an InteiTiipted .spike. 

 Oaly.\-teeth with projections in the sinuses. Pod oblong, 2-ceIled. 



2. Ncsse'K. Pet.ils5 (rarely 4). Stamens twice as many, in two sets. 



Pod 3-5-celled. 



1. liYTH'KIIM, L. Loosestrife. 

 1. L. ala'tum, Pursh. Tall and wand-like. Flowers 

 solitary in the upper axils. CalyX-teetli often shorter than 



