PLXK FAMILY. 



59 



3. MOLLU'GO, L. Carpet-weed. 



[An old Latin name, coined from mollis, soft.] 



Sepals 5, white within. Petals none. Stamens 3-5, Lvpogynous. 

 Stigmas 3. Pod 3-ceUed, S-yalved, many-seeded. Diflfiisely branched 

 prostrate annuals. 



1. M. verticilla'ta, L. Prostrate and dichotomoiisly branched ; leaves 

 spatiilate, in whorls ; peduncles axillary, 1-flowered, forming umbel-like 

 clusters. 



Yerticillate Mollugo. Carpet-weed. Indian Chickweed. 



stem branching in all directions, forming patches a foot or more in diameter. Leaves 

 somewhat succulent, about an inch long, usually in whorls of 6. 

 Cultivated grounds, common. June -Sept. 



055. A very common little weed in cultivated grounds, especially 

 where the soil is sandy, throughout the country. 



4. CERAS'TIUM, L. Mouse-ear Chickweed. 



[Greek, Keras, a horn ; from the shape of the capsules.] 



Sepals 5. Petals 5, 2-lobed. Stamens 5-10. Styles as many as the 

 sepals and opposite them. Capsule longer than the calyx, opening at 

 the apex by 10 teeth and many-seeded. Flowers white. 



1. C. vulga'tum, L. Very hairy ; leaves ovate or obovate, obtuse ; 

 sepals longer than the pedicels ; capsule slightly curved,. twice as long 

 as the calyx. 



Common Cerastium. Mouse-ear Chickweed. 



Annual or Uennial. Steams 5-10 inches long. Leaves about half an inch long. 



2. C. visco'sum, L. Pubescent and clammy, leaves oblong ; sepals 

 shorter than the pedicels ; capsule one half longer than the calyx. 

 Clammy Cerastium. Larger Mouse-ear Chickweed. 



Perennial or Uennial. Stems 6 -lb inches long, spreading. Leaves )4 an inch to an 

 inch long. 



Obs. Common in pastures and on the borders of fields ; both natives 

 of Europe. In flower from May - July. 



5. STELLA'RTA, L. Chickweed. 



[Latin, Stella, a star ; from the star-like flowers.] 



Sepals 5. Petals 5, deeply 2-cleft. Stamens 10 or fewer. Styles 3-4. 

 Capsule opening by twice as many valves as styles. Flowers white. 

 1. S.me'dia, Smith. Stems procumbent, with an alternating pubescent 

 line ; leaves ovate, the lower on hairy petioles ; petals shorter than tho 

 calyx ; stamens 3-10. 

 Middle Stellaria. Chickweed. 



