Lythrum.] XXVIII. LYTHRARIE LZ. 155 
XXVIII. LYTHRARIEA. THE LYTHRUM FAMILY. 
Herbs, or, in some exotic genera, shrubs or trees, with leaves 
mostly (at, least the lower ones) opposite, entire, and without 
stipules; the flowers either axillary or forming terminal 
racemes or spikes, more or less leafy at the base. Calyx free, 
tubular or campanulate, with as many, or twice as many, teeth 
as there are petals. Petals 4, 5, or sometimes more, rarely 
deficient, inserted at the top of the tube of the calyx, crumpled 
in the bud. Stamens equal to or double the number of the 
petals (or, in some exotic genera, indefinite), inserted in the 
tube of the calyx, often lower down than the petals. Style 
single. Ovary free from the calyx, but generally enclosed 
within its tube, divided into 2 or more cells, each with several 
ovules. Capsule of a thin texture, sometimes becoming 1-celled 
by the drying up of the partition, containing several‘small seeds 
without albumen. 
A considerable family, some of the herbaceous semi-aquatic species 
dispersed over almost every part of the globe, whilst the larger shrubby 
or arborescent ones spread over the tropics both in the New and the 
- Old World. They come near to some Aosaceew in the insertion of the 
stamens, the position of the ovary, the structure of the seeds, &c., but, 
independently of the structure of the ovary, they are readily known by 
their entire leaves, the lower ones at least always opposite. They are 
much more allied to the splendid and extensive tropical Order of 
Melastomacew, which, however, has no representative in Europe, and is 
even but little known in our stoves. 
Calyx tubular. Petals longer thanits teeth . : : . lL. LYPRRUR. 
Calyx shortly campanulate. Petals minute or none . : . 2. PEPLIS. 
Several species of Cuphea, an American genus of this family, are now 
generally cultivated in our flower-gardens, 
I. LYTHRUM. LYTHRUM. 
Herbs, with sessile, axillary flowers, the upper ones forming long 
leafy spikes. Calyx tubular, with 8, 10, or 12 teeth, 4, 5, or 6 of them 
being external, and much narrower than the alternate inner ones. 
Petals 4, 5, or 6, longer than the calycine teeth. Stamens as many, or 
nearly twice as many, inserted below the petals on the tube of the 
calyx. Ovary and capsule 2-celled. Stigma borne on a distinct style. 
The genus consists of very few species, spread over the northern 
hemisphere of the New as well as the Old World. 
Stems 2 feet or more. Leaves all opposite or whorled. Flowers 
large, in a showy, terminal raceme . 1. L. Salicaria. 
Stems 6 or 8 inches or less. Upper leaves alternate, narrow. 
Flowers small, with minute petals < . 2. DL. hyssopifolium. 
1. L. Salicaria, Linn. (fig. 355). ee oc yes —Rootstock 
perennial, with stout, annual, erect stems, 2 or 3 feet high, slightly 
branched, glabrous or softly downy. Leaves opposite or sometimes 
in threes, sessile, and clasping the stem at the base, lanceolate and 
