82 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Sarracenia. L. 12. 1. 



S. purpurea. L. Side-saddle Flower. This is a curious 

 plant in respect to its leaves, and beautiful for its flowers ; has its 

 name from the resemblance in shape and position of its curved 

 and hollow leaf, to the horn of a side-saddle. The cup-leaf may 

 contain nearly a gill of water ; is often half full, and frequently 

 has many insects drowned in it ; flower large, and reddish, with 

 the peltate stigma spread like an umbrella over the stamens ; 

 blossoms in June ; scape 1-2 feet high. Named after Dr. 

 Sarrazin of Quebec. 



Only 3 other species are known. This genus has been re- 

 moved from the order it was formerly placed in, and seems to be 

 made a distinct order, because its affinities or relations are not 

 understood. A kind of spider has been seen to deposit its half- 

 killed prey in the cup-leaf. 



ORDER 137. DROSERACE.E. The Sundew Tribe. 



Calyx of 5 equal persistent sepals, and 5 hypogynous pe- 

 tals ; stamens once, twice, thrice, &c. as many as the petals ; 

 ovary superior, single, having 3-5 styles ; delicate plants, often 

 glandular. 



Some of the order are said to be poisonous, acrid, or acid ; 

 widely spread over the world. 



Drosera. L. 5. 5. 



Named from the Greek word for dew, from the dew-like glands 

 on its leaves. 



D. rotundifolia. L. Sundew. Flow r ers on a leafless stem 

 or scape, 4-8 inches high, in a terminal raceme ; leaves rad- 

 ical, petiolate, round, flattish, covered above and on the margin 

 with crimson, glandular hairs ; blossoms in July ; grows in wet, 

 boggy, or marshy places ; common in England and this country. 



The leaves appear as if covered with drops of dew, and pre- 

 sent a beautiful appearance in the sun. Acrid and caustic plant ; 

 curdles milk ; removes warts and corns, and takes away freckles 

 and sunburn. Loudon. 



