11: roin i i.a< a< ilk. (purslane family.) 



SmOoth herbs, with a simple stem bearing two opposite leaves, and terminated 

 with a loose raceme of pale rose-colored, veiny flowers. 



1. G. Virginica, L. Leaves long(3'-6')J linear, acntish ; petals mostly 

 cmarginate, hut sometimes acute. — Damp rich soil in the upper districts. 

 March. — Plant 4' - 10' long. 



2. C. Caroliniana, Michx. Leaves short (l'-2'), ovate-lanceolate or 

 oblong, tapering at the base, obtuse; petals obtuse. — Mountains of North Caro- 

 lina and northward. March and April. — Smaller than the last. 



2. TALINUM, Adans. 



Sepals 2, free, deciduous. Petals 5, hypogynous. Stamens 10-30. Style 

 3-lohed. Capsule 3-cclled at tiic base, 3-valved, many-seeded. — Smooth and 

 fleshy herbs, with alternate leaves and cymosc flowers. 



1. T. teretifolium, Pursh. Stem thick, leafy; leaves linear-cylindrical ; 

 cymes on long peduncles ; petals purple, fugacious. — Rocks. North Carolina 

 and northward. June - Aug. 1J. — Stems 2' - 4' long. Peduncles 5'- 8' long. 



Sepals 2, united and cohering with the ovary below, the upper portion circum- 

 scissile and deciduous with the upper part of the capsule. Petals 4-6, inserted 

 with the 8-20 stamens on the calyx. Style 3-8-parted. Capsule globose, 

 1 -celled, many-seeded. — Low, fleshy herbs, with terete or flat, mostly alternate 

 leaves, and fugacious }-ellow or purple flowers. 



1 . P. oleracea, L. Leaves flat, cuneate, naked in the axils ; flowers yel- 

 low ; stamens 10-12. — Cultivated ground everywhere. — Stem prostrate. 



2. P. pilosa, L. Leaves linear, obtuse, with a tuft of hairs in the axils ; 

 flowers purple ; stamens about 20. — Key West, Florida. 



4. SESUVIUM, L. Sea Purslane. . 



Sepals 5, free, united at the base, persistent, colored within. Petals none. 

 Stamens 5, or numerous, inserted on the calyx. Styles 3-5. Capsule 3-5- 

 ccllcd, many-seeded, circumscissile. — Prostrate and fleshy maritime plants, 

 with nearly opposite and entire leaves, and axillary purplish flowers. 



1. S. portulacastrum, L. Leaves lanceolate and oblong, acute, on 

 winded and clasping petioles; flowers pedicelled ; sepals fleshy, lanceolate, nm- 

 cronate, purple within ; stamens numerous. — Sandy or muddy places along 

 the coast, Florida and northward. May - December. )J. — Stems diffuse, creep- 

 ing, forming mats which are sometimes <>° in diameter. 



2. S. pentandrum, Ell. Leaves spatulate-obovate, obtuse, on slightly 

 winged and clasping petioles ; flowers Bessilc ; sepals ovate-lanceolate, stamens 



Muddy saline coves, Florida to North Carolina. May - November. CD? 

 — Stems (often erect) and flowers smaller than in the preceding. 



