694 



THE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY. 



W*'! 



Fig. 834. 



In maritime sands, and salt-marshes, 

 in Europe and western Asia, extending 

 northwards to Scandinavia and the 

 Baltic. Frequent on the coasts of Eng- 

 land and Ireland, and in Scotland up to 

 Argyle and Aberdeen. Fl. summer and 

 autumn. 



IY. GOOSEFOOT. CHENOPODIUM. 



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 Oraches, but as the flowering 

 advances they can be always known by the want of the peculiar fruit- 

 ing perianths of that genus. 



Perennial, with a thick, fleshy root, and broadly trian- 

 gular, dark green leaves 9. Perennial G. 



Annuals. Leaves green or grey. 



Leaves all quite entire. Stems procumbent. 



Plant mealy and whitish, with a nauseous smell when 



rubbed 1. Stinking G. 



Plant green and scentless 2. Many-seeded G. 



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

 lobed, or angular. 

 Leaves obtusely toothed or sinuate. Plant more or 

 less mealy white. 



