798 



THE ALISMA FAMILY. 



IV. DAMASONIUM. DAMASONIUM. 



Herbs, only differing from Allsma in the carpels, which are few, 

 larger, usually 2-seeded, and cohere by the base to the central axis of 

 the flower. 



Besides the European species, the genus comprises two others from 

 Australia and California. 



1. 



(Al 



Star Damasonium. Damasonium stellatum, Pers. 

 (Fig. 961.) 

 isma Damasonium, Eng. Bot. t. 1615. Actinocarpus, Brit. Fl.) 



A tufted, glabrous annual. Leaves 

 all radical, on long stalks, ovate or ob- 

 long, often cordate at the base. Flower- 

 stems erect, from 3 or 4, to 8 or 9 inches 

 high, usually bearing 1 terminal umbel, 

 and 1, 2, or 3 whorls of rather small 

 flowers lower down. Inner segments 

 of the perianth or petals very delicate, 

 white, with a yellow spot at the base. 

 Carpels 6, tapering into a long point, 

 and radiating horizontally, like a star. 



In watery ditches, and pools, in west- 

 ern and southern Europe, and west- 

 central Asia, but not extending into Ger- 

 many or Scandinavia. In Britain, only 

 in sonie of the southern and eastern 

 counties of England. Fl. summer. 



Fig. 961. 



V. SCHEUCHZERIA. SCHEUCHZEKIA. 



A single species, distinguished from the preceding genera as well by 

 its habit and inflorescence, as by the smaller, more herbaceous peri- 

 anth, on which account this and the following genus are often sepa- 

 rated as a family, under the name of Juncaginece. 



1. Marsh Scheuchzeria. Scheuchzeria palustris, Linn. 

 (Fig. 962.) 

 (Eng. Bot, t. 1801.) 

 A rush-like perennial, with a creeping rootstock, and an erect stem 



