86 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
3.— HOUSTONIA SERPYLLIFOLIA, Michx. THE THYME-LEAVED HOUSTONIA. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 2822 ; and omfig. 4, in PL 72. 
Specific Character. — Tufted ; stems numerous ; leaves spathulate, slightly hairy ; peduncles elongated, one-fiorvered. 
Description, &c. — This is a pretty little plant, with star-like white flowers, very suitable for rock-work. 
It is a native of North America, whence it was introduced in 1827. There are several other species, but they 
are seldom seen in British gardens. 
CHAPTER XXXIY. 
MENYANTHACE^. 
Character of the Order. — Calyx five-parted. Corolla subro- 
tate, with a five-parted spreading limb. Segments with a flat disc, 
which is bearded or squamulose at the base, or bearded lengthwise ; 
having ascending or simple margins, inflexed in ajstivation. Stamens 
five, alternating with tlie segments of the corolla. Style one. Stigma 
two-lobed; lobes toothed. Hypogynous glands five, alternating with 
the stamens. Capsule one-celled ; many-seeded ; two-valved ; but in 
aquatic species valveless ; axils of valves seminiferous, that is, the. 
seeds are attached to parietal placentas on the edges of the valves. 
(G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — All the species belonging to this order are floating, aquatic, or marsh herbs. The leaves 
are alternate, having the petioles somewhat dilated, and sheathing at the base. 
GENUS I. 
MENYANTHES, Lin. THE BUCK-BEAN. 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx five-cleft ; persistent. Corolla hairy. Stigma two-cleft. Capsule one-celled ; two-valved. 
Description, &c. — The genus JVIenyanthes of Linnteus was divided into two genera by M. Ventenat, but 
the difierence between them is so slight, that I have not thought it worth while to keep them apart. These 
difierences are simply that, in Menyanthes, the segments of the corolla are bearded lengthwise, and the leaves 
are trifoliate ; and in Yillarsia the segments of the corolla are bearded at the base, and the leaves are simple. 
The word Menyanthes signifies the flower-of-a-month, the flowers remaining open about that time. 
1.— MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA, Lin. THE TRIFOLIATE BUCK-BEAN, OR MARSH TREFOIL. 
Engravings. — Wood, Med. Bot. vol. v. t. 2; Stev. et Church. I Specific Character. — Leaves trifoliate ; racemes thyrsoid, axillary ; 
Med. Bot. t. 46 ; Eng. Bot. t. 495. 1 segments of the corolla bearded lengthwise. 
Description, &c. — A well-known British plant, frequent on the banks of ponds, lakes, and slow-running 
rivers. The flowers are white, tinged with rose colour, and beautifully fringed. The roots are fleshy, and 
intensely bitter. There is an American variety, which is much more robust than this species, and the flowers of 
which are of a pale pink, and very handsome. 
2.— MENYANTHES SARMENTOSA, Sims. THE RUNNING BUCK-BEAN. 
Synonvmes. — Villarsia sarmentpsa, Rosm. et Schultes. ; V. germi- | Specific Character. — Runners creeping ; leaves cordate-suborbi- 
nata, R. Br. culate, spreading, dotted beneath ; panicles opposite to the leaves ; 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 1328 ; our Jig. 4, in PI. 73. 1 terminal ; seeds glabrous. 
Description, &c. — This species is remarkable for its runners, which resemble those of the Strawberry-plant, 
and extend to a great length. It is a native of New Holland, whence it was introduced in 1806. It should be 
