THE KNOT-GRASS FAMILY 
[ORDER LXI. ILLECEBRACE/E OR PARONYCHIACE/E] 
HE Knot-grass Family is a very small order of little prostrate herbs with large membranous 
stipules which protect the leaves. It is widely distributed, chiefly in warm countries. There 
has been much discussion concerning the position in the flora of this order, some botanists placing 
it in or near the Pink Family (Caryophyllacese), while others consider that the imperfect petals, 
which are often reduced to small filaments, may be regarded as imperfect stamens, and therefore 
place it by the Amaranth Family (Amaranthacese). 
The Amaranth Family belongs to a group of plants (Monoclamydeae) in which it is so difficult 
to distinguish the calyx from the corolla, when they are both present, that it has been thought 
better to include them both under the name of the perianth. In this tribe the perianth is 3-5-lobed, 
and is surrounded by 2 bracts, all being brilliantly coloured ; there are usually 5 stamens, and the 
seedcase is i-celled and i-seeded, and has 2 or 3 styles. None of the members of this order 
are natives of the British Isles, but many have long been cultivated in gardens and are great 
favourites on account of the brilliantly-coloured membranous perianth which often keeps its 
colour for months. Among those best known are Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus), 
Prince of Wales’ Feathers (Amaranthus hypochondriacus and A. speciosus), Tricolors (Amaranthus 
tricolor), and Cockscombs (Celosia coccinea). 
Sepals only united at base. 
I. Knot-grass (Illec'ebrum). Flowers white, sepals very pointed, petals like filaments ; leaves 
II. Rupture-wort (Herniaria). Flowers green, sepals oblong, petals like filaments ; leaves 
III. Strapwort (Corrigi6la). Flowers white, sepals oblong, petals oblong, as long as sepals ; 
Sepals united into a tube. 
IV. Knawel (Scleran'thus). Flowers green, petals like filaments ; leaves opposite and united 
I. KNOT-GRASS. (ILLEC'EBRUM. Linn.) — A genus consisting of the one species : — 
Whorled Knot-grass. (Illec'ebrum verticiMtum. Linn.)— Flowers minute, stalkless 
(sessile), white, in clusters in the axils of the leaves along the whole stem and branches. Calyx of 
5 sepals, united at the base, thickish and white, slightly hooded at the apex and terminating in a 
long, hair-like point ; the corolla reduced to 5 filament-like petals, and inserted with the 5 stamens 
on a ring round the seedcase (perigynous) ; carpels 2, styles and stigmas 2; fruit a 1 -celled, 
1 -seeded capsule, opening at the base by 5 or 10 valves. The stems are procumbent, 3 inches to 
opposite. 
opposite. 
leaves alternate. 
at the base. 
IIO 
