106 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
THE LYTHRUM FAMILY. (Salicarle, Juss.) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx monosepalous ; the lobes with 
a valvate or separate aestivation ; their sinuses sometimes lengthened 
into other lobes. Petals inserted between the lobes of the calyx, very 
deciduous. Stamens inserted into the tube of the calyx below the 
petals, to which they are sometimes equal in number ; sometimes they 
are twice, or even thrice, and four times as numerous ; they are seldom 
four ; anthers versatile, 2-celled, opening longitudinally. Ovarium 
superior, 2 or 4-celled ; [ style filiform ; stigma usually capitate. 
Capsule membranous, covered by the calyx, 1-celled, dehiscing either 
longitudinally or in an irregular manner. Seeds numerous, small, 
without albumen, adhering to a central placenta; embryo straight ; 
radicle turned towards the hilum ; cotyledons flat and leafy. Herhs, 
rarely shrubs. Branches frequently 4-cornered. Leaves opposite, 
seldom alternate, entire, without either stipuke or glands. Flowers 
axillary, or in spikes or racemes. ( Lindley.) 
Description, Sec .—This order contains only two genera, viz., the common Willow Herb or Purph 
Loosestrife, and a little weed called Water Purslane. 
GENUS I. 
THE WATER PURSLANE. (Peplis, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx campanulate, with twelve lohes, of lobes of the calyx. Capsule two-celled, many-seeded. Herbaceous 
which six are broader than the rest and erect, the others subulate, spread- with opposite or alternate leaves. Flowers axillary. [Lindley.) 
ing. Petals six, minute, fugacious. Stamens six, opposite the broader 
Description, &c. —There is only one species in this genus. The word Peplis is derived from the Greek 
name for Purslane; to which this plant bears a great general resemblance, though it is botanically quite distinct. 
It is placed in the Linnasan class Hexandria, on account of its six stamens; and in the order Monogynia, from 
its single style ; and it is one of the very few plants in that class and order which are not bulbs. 
1.—THE COMMON WATER PURSLANE. (Peplis Portula, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1211 ; 2nd ed., t. 465. 
Specific Character. —Petals wanting, or scarcely visible. Leaves opposite, obovate, stalked. [Smith.) 
Description, &c.— This is a little insignificant, creeping, annual weed, which is found abundantly in watery 
places on sandy or gravelly soils. It has somewhat fleshy leaves, and small red flowers which appear in July 
and August. 
GENUS II. 
THE PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE. (Lythrum, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. DODECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx cylindrical, striated, with eight to 
twelve teeth, of which from four to six are broader than the rest and 
erect, the others smaller and spreading. Petals four or six, inserted 
in the orifice of the calyx, opposite the smaller lobes of the calyx. 
Stamens situated in the middle or at the base of the calyx, twice as 
numerous as the petals, or occasionally fewer. Capsule oblong, two- 
celled, many-seeded, included in the calyx. Erect herbaceous plants. 
Leaves opposite. Stems square. Flowers purple, axillary. [Lindley.) 
Greek word signifying black blood, 
The genus is placed in the Limuean 
Only two of the 
Description, &c. —The name of Lythrum is said to be derived from a 
in allusion to the very dark colour of the flowers of some of the species, 
class Dodecandria, from its twelve stamens; and in the order Monogynia, from its single style, 
species are natives of Great Britain, and they are both only found in marshy places. 
