48 CARYOPIIYLLACE^E. (PINK FAMILY.) 



1. S. rubra, Pers. — Sands or marshes along the coast, Florida and north, 

 ward. April and May. (J — Stems prostrate, much branched. Leaves linear, 

 longer than the joints. Seed with or without a membranaceous margin. 



6. SPERGULA, L. Spurbky. 



Sepals 5. Petals 5, entire. Stamens 5 or 10. Styles 5. Capsule 5-valved, 

 tin* valves opposite the sepals. Embryo forming a ring around the albumen. — 

 Leaves whorled. Flowers cymose, white. 



1. S. arvensis, L. Stem erect; leaves fleshy, narrow-linear, several in a 

 whorl; cyme loose, long-peduneled ; fruiting pedicels reflexed ; stamens 10; 

 seeds rough. — Cultivated fields, Florida and northward : introduced. (I) . 



7. POLYCARPON, L. 



Sepals 5, carinate. Petals 5, emarginatc, shorter than the sepals. Stamens 

 S- 5. Styles 3, very short. Capsule 3-valved. — Low annuals, with whorled 

 loaves, and minute flowers, in terminal cymes. 



1. P. tetraphyllum, L. Stems (3'- 6') forking, diffuse; leaves spatu- 

 latc-obovate, the lower ones 4 in a whorl, the upper opposite; sepals acute; 

 stipules conspicuous. — Near Charleston. Introduced. May and June. 



8. MOLLTJGO, L. 



Sepals 5. Petals none. Stamens 5 and alternate with the sepals, or 3 and 

 alternate with the cells of the ovary. Styles 3, short. Capsule 3-valved, 3-celled, 

 many-seeded. — Prostrate diffusely-branched annuals. Leaves whorled. Flow- 

 ers white, on slender axillary peduncles. 



I. M. vertieillata, L. Smooth; leaves spatulate-lanccolate, unequal, in 

 whorls of 4-8 ; fruiting peduncles reflexed; stamens 3. — Cultivated ground, 

 common. Introduced. May -August. 



9. SAGINA, L. 



Sepals 4.- 5. Petals 4 - 5, entire, or wanting. Stamens 4-10. Styles 4-5, 

 alternate with the sepals. Capsule 4 -5-valved; the valves entire, opposite the 

 sepals. — Small herbs, with filiform forking stems, subulate leaves, and solitary 

 flowers. 



/ 



I. S. Elliottii, Fenzl. Smooth; stems erect or ascending, tufted ; pedun- 

 cles erect; petals and sepals 5, equal, obtuse; stamens 10. (Spergula decum- 

 bens, /■.'/') — Damp cultivated ground, common. April-June. (X — Stems 

 2'-G' high. Peduncles 2-3 times as long as the sharp-pointed leaves. 



10. ALSINE, Tourn. 



S.pal- 5. Petals 5. Stamens 10. Styles 8. Capsule I -celled, 3-valved, the 

 valves entire, opposite the inner sepals. — Low slender herbs, with linear or sub- 

 ulate leaves, and white Cyinose or solitary flowers. 



