CARTOPHYLLACE^) . 



135 



In sandy situations, generally not far 

 from the sea, in west Africa, south-wes- 

 tern Europe, round the Mediterranean 

 and along the Atlantic, and spread as an 

 introduced weed over other parts of the 

 world, perhaps indigenous in Australia. 

 In Britain only in the Channel Islands 

 and southern England. Fl. summer. 



Fig. 170. 



XIII. THE PURSLANE FAMILY. PORTULACE.E. 



More or less succulent herbs, with entire leaves, usually op- 

 posite. Sepals 2 or rarely 3. Petals 5 or rarely more, some- 

 times slightly united. Stamens either equal in number and op- 

 posite to the petals, or indefinite. Styles 2 to 8, united at the 

 base. Capsule I-celled, with a free central placenta, and several 

 seeds, as in the Pink family. 



The family has a very wide geographical range, especially in North 

 and South America, with a few species dispersed over the other quarters 

 of the globe. It is nearly allied to the smaller plants of the PinJc fa- 

 mily, and to the Paronychia family, but easily known by the calyx. 

 Several species belonging to the exotic genera Purslane and Celan- 

 drinia, as well as to Claytonia, are cultivated in our gardens. 



Petals 5, distinct. Stamens 5, opposite the petals 1. Claytonia* 



Petals united in a corolla split open at one side. Stamens 3 . 2. Montia, 



I. CLAYTONIA. CLAYTOMA. 



Petals 5, free. Stamens 5, opposite to the petals and adhering to 

 them at the base. Stigmas 3. Capsule opening in 3 valves and con- 

 taining 3 seeds. The genus comprises several species, natives of north 

 America or northern Asia, and is only admissible into the British 

 Flora amongst naturalized aliens. 



