46 ELATIXACEJE. 



with leaves, which are variable in width. Flowers pale yellow on very short pedi- 

 cels. 7 ; the outer sepals, approaching each other in palra 

 over them, in the form of St. Andrew's cross. 



3. ELODEA. Adans. 



Gr. Elodes, growing in marshy places. 



Sepals 5, equal, somewhat united at base. Petals 5 

 deciduous, equal-sided, oblong. Stamens 9 (rarely 12 to 

 15), in 3 parcels which alternate with 3 orange colored 

 hypogynous glands. Styles 3 distinct. Capsule 3-celled 

 oblong. — Perennial herbs, growing\in marshy places, with 

 pellucid punctate leaves, and small close clusters of purplish 

 Jiowers in the axils of the leaves and at the summit. 



E. VlBGlNlCA, Xutt. Virginian Eloclea. 



Leaves dt&ong, closely sessile or clasping by a broad base, very obtuse ; fdoments 

 united below the middle, with 3 in each set. 



Marshy places, common. July — Sept. Stem 10 to 18 inches high, erect, branch- 

 ing, of a purplish hue. Leaves 1 to 2 inches long, l /i as wide, upper ones lanceo- 

 late, lower oblong ovate, all very obtuse, pale beneath. 1 rt few, reddish- 

 yellow. Petals about twice; as long as the calyx. Glands ovoid, orange-colcrcd. 

 Capsule ovoid-oblong, acutish. 



Order 19. ELATINACEJE. 



Small marsli annuals, with opposite leave?, membraneous stipules, and axillary 

 flowers. Sepals 2 to 5 distinct, or slightly coherent at base, persistent. Petals 

 hypogynous, alternate with the sepals. Stamens as many or twice as many as the 

 petals. Styles 2 to 5. very short or none; stigmas capitate. Capsules 2 to 5-celled. 

 S&ds numerous, without albumen. 



ELATINE. L. Water Wort. 



Gr. elate, fir ; its minute leaves resembling those of the fir tree. 



Sepals 2 to 4, persistent. Petals 2 to 4, hypogynous. 

 Stamens 2 to 8. Style or sessile capitate stigmas, 2 to 4. 

 Pod 2 to 4-celled, several'inany-seeded, margins of the valves 

 not introflexed. — Small marshy plants with -minute axil- 

 lary flowers like Chickwced, but the seeds as in St. Johns 

 wort. 



E. Americana, Arnott. American Watcricort. 



Dwarf tufted; leaves cuneate-obovate, obtuse ; flowers sessile, sepals, petals, star 

 mens and sessile stigmas 2, sometimes 3. Seeds 6 to 8. 



Edges of ponds and streams. July — Sept. S l ems rooting and creeping in th« 

 mudrforming patches. Leaves % inch long, entire. Flowers solitary, very min- 

 ute, white. 



