LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY 



179 



or 1 2 ; style short ; capsule 2-chambered, 2-valved, many-seeded. 

 (Name from the Greek peplion, purslane, not originally referring 

 to this genus.) 



1. P. Pdrtula (Water Purslane). — A humble, glabrous, creap- 



p£plis portula {Water Purslane). 



l£thrum salicAria {Purple Loosestrife). 



ing, aquatic plant, with 4-angled stems ; opposite, obovate, obtuse 

 leaves ; and inconspicuous, solitary, axillary flowers. — Wet places 

 common. The plant is usually tinged with red, especially when 

 the ground in which it grows drie up. — Fl. July, August. Annua) 



2. Lythrum (Purple Loosestrife). — Herbs or shrubs with 

 4-angled branches ; entire leaves ; flowers ^in spikes of axillary 1- or 



N 2 



