Salsola.] LXII. CHENOPODIACE^E. 373 



III. SALSOLA. SALTWORT. 



Herbs, with semi-cylindrical, succulent or prickly leaves. Perianth 

 regular, 5-cleft, and enclosing the fruit when ripe, as in Chenopodium 

 and Suceda; but the segments have then a small appendage at the top, 

 forming a horizontal, scarious wing round the perianth. Stamens 5. 

 Styles 2 or 3, often combined at the base, as in Chenopodium, Embryo 

 coiled into a spiral, with little or no albumen, as in Suada. 



The genus comprises a considerable number of maritime species, 

 chiefly from the Mediterranean and western Asia. 



1. S. Kali, Linn. (fig. 842). Prickly S. — A procumbent, glabrous 

 annual, with a hard, much branched stem, 6 inches to near a foot long. 

 Leaves all ending in a stout prickle, the lowest semi-cylindrical, linear, 

 slightly enlarged at the base ; the uppermost shorter and broader, 

 nearly triangular. Flowers sessile in the upper axils. The appendage 

 of the perianth spreads horizontally over the fruit, but is usually shorter 

 than the surrounding floral leaves or bracts. 



In maritime sands, and salt-marshes, in Europe and western Asia, 

 extending northwards to Scandinavia and the Baltic. Frequent on 

 the coasts of England and Ireland, and Scotland. FL summer and 

 autumn. 



IV. CHENOPODIUM. GOOSEFOOT. 



Herbs, either glabrous or covered with a mealy dust ; the leaves flat 

 and alternate ; the flowers small and green, in little sessile clusters, 

 collected into spikes in the axils of the upper leaves, or forming large 

 terminal panicles. Perianth of 5 (rarely fewer in a few flowers) equal 

 segments, which enclose the ripe fruit without appendages or alteration, 

 excepting a slight enlargement or thickening. Stamens 5 (rarely fewer). 

 Styles 2 or 3, often connected at the base. Embryo of the seed curved 

 or forming a ring round the albumen. 



The species are rather numerous, widely distributed over the globe, 

 with fewer strictly maritime ones than in most other genera of the 

 Order. When young they much resemble the Atriplexes, but as the 

 flowering advances they can be always known by the want of the 

 peculiar fruiting perianth of that genus. 



Perennial, with a thick, fleshy root, and broadly triangular, 



dark green leaves 9. C. Bonus-H envious. 



Annuals. Leaves green or grey. 

 Leaves all quite entire. Stems procumbent. 

 Plant mealy and whitish, with a nauseous smell when 



rubbed .... 1. 0. Vulvaria. 



Plant green and scentless 2. C. polyspermum. 



Leaves, at least the lower ones, sinuate, or toothed, or 

 lobed, or angular. 

 Leaves obtusely toothed or sinuate. Plant more or less 

 mealy-white. 

 Plant usually erect. Upper leaves narrow and entire, 



whitish on both sides 3. C. album. 



Plant procumbent. Leaves all sinuate, green above, 



white underneath 4. C. glaucum. 



Lower leaves broad, irregularly and coarsely toothed or 

 lobed. Plant green (except sometimes C. murale). 



