148 
XXX. LYTHRACEjE. 
\Lythrum. \ 
teeth. Petals inserted upon the calyx between its lobes, cadu- 
cous, sometimes 0. Stamens inserted within the tube of the 
calyx, equal to, or double or triple the number of petals. Ovary 
1, superior. Style 1 ; stigma usually capitate. Capsule mem- 
branous, 2 — 4-celled, opening longitudinally or irregularly. 
Seeds numerous, without albumen, on an axile placenta. — 
Herbs, with usually opposite leaves , without stipides : flowers 
axillary or racemose or spiked. — Properties astringent. Henna 
of Egypt is extracted from Lawsonia inermis. 
1. Lythrum. Calyx tubular. 
2. Peplis. Calyx campanulate. 
1. Lytheum Linn. Purple-Loosestrife. 
Cal. inferior, tubular, with 8 — 12 teeth, the alternate ones 
subulate. Petals 4 — 6. Siam, as many as, or twice as many 
as the petals. Style filiform. Capsule 2 -celled. — Name : \v9pov, , 
blood ; it is said, from the red colour of the flowers. 
1. L. Salicdria L. ( spiked P.)\ leaves opposite lanceolate 
cordate at the base, flowers in whorled leafy spikes with 12 
stamens, bracts none. E. B. t. 1061. 
Watery and marshy places, frequent, 7 — 9. — Stems 2 — 3 ft. 
high, erect, 4-sided. Spikes very long, of beautiful purple flowers. 
Cal. striate, the subulate teeth twice as long as the others. Pet. 
oblong, cuneiform. Stam. 6 long and 6 short. Style varying in length. 
2. L. hyssopifulium L. ( hyssop-leaved P.) ; leaves mostly al- 
ternate linear-lanceolate obtuse, flowers axillary solitary, bracts 
2 minute subulate, stamens about 6. E. B. t. 292. 
Moist and occasionally inundated places, chiefly in the east of Eng- 
land. ©. 6 — 10. ■ — A humble annual, 4 — 6 inches high, with small 
axillary flowers. Cal.-teetli all short. 
2. Peplis Linn. Water-Purslane. 
Cal. campanulate, with 6 large and 6 alternating small teeth. 
Pet. 6, often wanting. Stam. 6. Style very short. Caps. 2- 
celled. — Named from TrtrrXior, anciently applied to the genus 
Portulaca, now to one somewhat similar in habit. 
1. P. Portula L. ( common IF.) ; flowers axillary solitary, 
leaves obovate. E. B. t. 1211. 
Watery places, not unfrequent. ©. 7, 8. — Plant prostrate, 
S — 6 inches long, creeping, little branched. Leaves opposite, gla- 
brous, tapering at the base. 
