SIVAMPS, BOGS, AND MARSHES 51 



31. Hyssop-leaved Loosestrife 



L. hyssopifolia. — Color, light purple. Leaves, opposite, 

 scattered, oblong to linear, obtuse. Time, summer. 



Calyx, a tube with 5 to 7 teeth, and as many more — often 

 longer teeth — between the regular divisions. Petals, 5 to 7. 

 Stamens, 4, 5, or 6. Fruit, a 2-celled pod. 



Plant low, 2 feet tall or less. The leaves are scattered on 

 the upper part of the stem. Flowers small, single, growing in the 

 upper leaf-axils. 



32 



L. lineclre has white flowers, and is a large and bushy plant, 

 3 or 4 feet high. On the stem are opposite, margined angles. 

 Flowers with 6 stamens. Leaves long and narrow. 



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The Swamp Loosestrife {Dkcodon verticillAtus) has small rose- 

 colored flowers, on short pedicels, clustered in the upper axils 

 of opposite or whorled, long, and narrow leaves. Tall, some- 

 times 8 feet high. These flowers are also trimorphous, with 

 stamens and pistil of different lengths. 



34. Water-purslane 



Ludwigia pa/ustr/s. — Family, Evening Primrose. Color, 

 greenish or reddish when the plant is wholly terrestrial. 

 Leaves, opposite, small, petioled, oval, or roundish, with curv- 

 ing veins. Time, July, August. 



This is at times an aquatic plant, growing wholly in water; or 

 it is found in swamps, its stems lying on the mud,, creeping and 

 rooting. Petals, none when in water, small and reddish when 

 out. The lobes of the calyx remain, crowning the fruit, which is 

 a 4-sided capsule full of small seeds. Flowers closely sessile, 

 somewhat fleshy, small, without beauty, green and stiff. Stems 

 4 to 15 inches long. 



