KEY. 129 



Perianth of 6 scalq-like sepals, in 2 sets, the 3 inner petaloid. 

 Stamens 3. Leaves linear, revolute at the margin. Under- 

 shrubs 96 



96. Stigma nearly sessile, 6- to 9-i'ayed. Drupe berry- 

 like, with 6-9 nutlets. Stem procumbent, 1-4 feet long. 



Empetnuu nigrum, L. (851). 



Style filiform, 3- to 4-cleft. Drupe with 3 or 4 nut- 

 lets. Stem diffusely branching, 1 foot high. 



Corema Couradii, Torr. (851). 



97. Sepals, petals, stamens, and stigmas 3 85 



Sepals 3, with 2 bracts outside. Petals 3, lanceolate. 

 Stamens 3-12. Stigmas 3, plumose. Herbs, often shrubby 

 at the base, 1-2 feet high. Leaves elliptical, lanceolate, or 

 linear. Iiechea. 



98. Style 1, simple, or cleft, or with several stigmas . . .99 

 Styles or sessile stigmas, more than 1 128 



99. L Stamens 2 100 



IL Stamens 4 101 



in. Stamens 6. Sepals and petals 4 105 



IV. Stamens 7, 8, or 11 (8-12) 126 



100. Herb. Sepals and petals 4. Fruit a silicle. 



Iiepidium (115). 



Shrub or low tree. Calyx 4-parted, veiy small. 

 Petals 4 (rarely 5 or 6), narrowly linear and acute, 1 inch 

 long. Stigma notched. Drupe fleshy, globular, purple. 

 Leaves oval, oblong, or lance-obovate, petioled. Flowers 

 snow-white, in loose drooping, terminal and axillary racemes. 



Chionauthus Virginica, L. 



101. Shrubs or small trees 102 



Herbs 104 



103. Leaves compound 92 



Leaves simple 103 



103. Leaves alternate, serrate. Fruit a drupe, berry-like, 

 with 2-4 small nutlets, which are grooved on the convex or 

 concave back, black. A disk lining the bell-shaped calyx- 

 tube. Petals small, shoi-t-clawed, notched, and enfolding 



