LXII CHENOPODIACEZ. SF4 
LXII. CHENOPODIACER. THE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY. 
Herbs or undershrubs, often succulent, sometimes leafless, 
more usually with alternate or rarely opposite leaves, and no 
stipules ; the small, herbaceous flowers usually in sessile clus- 
ters, either in axillary or terminal spikes or panicles, and often 
unisexual. Perianth, single, calyx-like, deeply divided into 5, 
or in some flowers fewer seoments. Stamens 5, opposite the 
perianth-segments, rarely fewer, Ovary free, with a single 
ovule. Styles 2 or 3, either free or united at the base. Fruit 
consisting of a single seed, enveloped in a very thin or some- 
times succulent pericarp, and enclosed in the persistent peri- 
anth, which is sometimes enlarged or altered in form. Seed 
usually orbicular and flattened ; the embryo curved or spirally 
twisted, with or without albumen. 
The Order is spread over the greater part of the world, and is rather 
numerous in species, especially in maritime situations, or within the in- 
fluence of a saline soil or atmosphere, where they sometimes, in combination 
with Artemisias, give a general grey aspect to the country, They are not 
easily confounded with any other British Order, but approach very near to 
Amarantacee, an exotic family, chiefly distinguished by the presence of 2 
or 3 small bracts under each flower, and by the tendency of the perianth 
to become scarious or coloured. 
Stem succulent and jointed, without leaves. Stamenslor2 . 1. SaLicorRNiA, 
Stem leafy, not jointed. Stamens 5. 
Leaves narrow, semi-cylindrical (as thick as broad). 
Leaves rather succulent and linear, not prickly. Eee 
perianth not altered . 2. SUHDA. 
Leaves prickly, Fruiting ‘perianth encircled by a scarious 
wing .» ° ; : ° : ° ° ° ; . 3. SALSOLA. 
Leaves flat. 
Perianth mostly 5-cleft and regular, even when in fruit. 
Fruiting perianth succulent, enlarged, with prominent 
ribs or protuberances . . » 5». Bp, 
Fruiting perianth scarcely enlarged, herbaceous . 4, CHENOPODIUM. 
Perianth of the male flowers 5-cleft and regular. Fruiting 
perianth (from female flowers) flat, consisting of 2 
muchenlargedsegments. . . .« « « © 6. ATRIPLEX. 
The Spinach of our gardens (Spinacia oleracea), probably from western 
Asia, forms a genus closely allied to Atriplex, but with a differently shaped 
fruiting perianth, and 4 styles. One or two species of Amarantus belong- 
ing to the above-mentioned Amarantace@, have occasionally appeared 
amongst garden weeds in the neighbourhood of London, but do not appear 
to have anywhere established themselves in Britain. The dmarantacee 
include also the Love-lies-bleeding and Prince’s-feather (both species of 
Amarantus), the globe Amaranth (a species of Gomphrena), the Cock’s- 
coinb (Celosia), etc., of our gardens. 
I, SALICORNIA. SALICORN, MARSH SAMPHIRE. 
Succulent, jointed herbs, sometimes hard and woody at the base, without 
Bb 2 
