Atriplex. | LXII, CHENOPODIACER. 377 
small and numerous, clustered in axillary spikes or terminal panicles as in 
Chenopodium, but always of two kinds; in some, which are usually males 
only, the perianth is regular, and 5-cleft as in Chenopodium, with 5 stamens ; 
in the females the perianth consists of two flat segments (or rather bracts, 
replacing the real perianth), either free or more or less united at the edges, 
enclosing the ovary. After flowering this false perianth enlarges, is often 
toothed at the edge, and covered with wart-like excrescences. Seed usually 
vertical. In some species there are also a few regular female real perianths, 
which ripen without enlarging, and contain a horizontal seed, as in Cheno- 
podium. Embryo curved round the albumen, 
A considerable genus, widely spread over the maritime or saline districts 
of the globe, scarcely any species besides the common one being ever found 
inland, or away from the saline influence. 
Segments of the fruiting perianth united nearly to the top. 
Leaves all entire, and mealy-white, : 
Perennial, or shrubby at the base. Fruiting perianth ses- 
sile . ; é ‘ ° : é . ; 5 ; . 1. A. portulacoides, 
Annual. Fruiting perianth distinctly stalked . . . 2 A. pedunculata. 
Segments of the fruiting perianth not united above the middle. 
Annuals. Leaves either toothed or hastate, or, if entire, 
narrow and green. 
Segments of the fruiting perianth thin, and quite free. Plant 
of 4or5 feet . Cees ° : : Set ieOR urs : 
Segments of the fruiting perianth thickish, and partially 
united. Plant not above 3 feet, erect, or procumbent. 
Floral leaves nearly sessile. Fruiting perianths mostly 
axillary, white and scaly. : - 5 ; : 
Leaves almost all stalked. Fruiting perianths mostly 
mixed with the male flowers, green, or slightly mealy 4. A. patula. 
The shrubby A. Halimus, from the shores of the Mediterranean, is 
often cultivated in gardens, especially near the seacoast. 
1, 4. portulacoides, Linn. (fig. 851). Purslane Orache, Sea Purs- 
lane, Lesser Shrubby Orache.—A low, straggling, much branched shrub or 
undershrub, often shortly creeping, and rooting at the base, 1 to 13 feet 
high, covered with a grey scaliness closer than in other species. Leaves 
obovate or oblong, tapering at the base, or the upper ones linear, seldom 
above an inch long, and always entire. flowers in short, interrupted 
spikes, forming a terminal panicle. Fruiting perianth small and thick, 
triangular or nearly orbicular ; the segments united very nearly to the top, 
where they are more or less toothed. 
On the seacoasts of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, extend- 
ing northwards to the Baltic. Common on maritime cliffs and marshes 
from Ayr and Northumberland southwards; very rare in Ireland. FV. 
summer. 
2, 4. pedunculata, Linn, (fig. 852). Stalked Orache.—Resembles 
A, portulacoides in its entire, thickish leaves, scaly-white on both sides, 
but is an annual only, with spreading branches, seldom a foot high; the 
leaves usually broader, the lower ones ovate or obovate. Fruiting peri- 
anth always borne on a pedicel of 2 or 3 lines; the segments wedge- 
shaped, united at the top, where the two angles often project into little 
recurved points. 
In the saline districts of central and south Russian Asia, on the shores 
of the Black Sea, the Baltic, and the North Sea, as far west as Belgium, 
3. A. hortensis. 
5. A. rosea. 
