Plate 13. 
SPEEGULARIA MEDIA. 
Family, Caryophyllaoe^ : — Leaves opposite, entire. Flowers regular. 
Petals separate. Stamens definite. Ovary superior. Fruit, a 
capsule, 1-celled. Stem often swollen at the nodes. 
Genus, Spergularia (Sandspurrey) : — Low, diffuse and usually pros- 
trate herbs. Leaves awl-shaped or linear, often with clusters 
of smaller leaves in the axils. Stipules scaly. Flowers stalked. 
Sepals 5. Petals 5, rarely fewer, or none, entire. Stamens 10 
or less. Ovary 1-celled with many ovules. Styles 3. Fruit, a 
capsule, opening into 3 valves. Seeds kidney-shaped or globose. 
Distinguished from Cerastium and Stellaria by entire petals and 
from Arenaria by stipules. 
Spergularia media, (L.) Presl. Plant about 3 in. high, 
glabrous. Leaves about 1 in. long, awl-shaped, fleshy. 
Stipules scaly, ovate, and dull whitish in colour. Flowers 
pale mauve or nearly white. Sepals ovate. Petals as long as 
sepals. Stamens 10. Styles 3 (rarely 4 or 5). Capsule open- 
ing in as many valves as there are styles. Seeds pale brown, 
smooth. 
Seashores. Rare. 
Flowers December and January. 
East and West Falklands. 
Description of plate :— 1, whole plant ; 2, bud ; 3 and 4, flowers ; 
5, stamens and pistil ; 6 and 7, stamens ; 8, pistil ; 9, section of pistil ; 
10, capsule ; 11, seed. All except 1 enlarged. 
