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OBOLARIA VIRGIXICA. 



Tetr adynamia Monogynia, Linn. Gentianese, Juss. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Calix O, or in the form of two bractes. Corolla campanulate, 4-cleft, segments entire, 

 (the margin sometimes crenately torn.) Stamina equal, proceeding from the 

 clefts of the corolla. Stigma emarginate. Capsule ovate, 1-celled, 2-valved, 

 many-seeded, seeds minute. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Stem simple; leaves oblong-truncate, fleshy, purple underneath; flowers axillary, 

 solitary, sessile. IVilld. and Pursh. 



Root white, fleshy, contorted, perennial? Stem obscurely quadran- 

 gular, whitish, tinged with dull purple. Leaves sessile, alternate, 

 wedge-shaped, very broad at base, the margins decurrcnt, giving an 

 angular appearance to the stem. Two branches generally proceed 

 from the root, each supporting two opposite leaves, from the bosom 

 of which proceed three flowers, with each a pair of spathulate bracts. 



