% \ 
\ 
76 Monography of the North American Cuscutinece. 
the corolla are broader, shorter, composed of small' linear cells, 
which are contracted in the middle into a distinct nerve. Stylo- 
podium large in proportion to the ovary. Capsule not seen. The 
purple anthers and stigmas in the white flowers, give this species 
a very pretty appearance. 
8. Cuscuta pentagona.— Capsule globose, somewhat depressed, 
without a stylopodium. 
The description is taken from the Virginia plant; the forms 
from Illinois and Texas constitute two distinct varieties. 
.?• microcalyx: flowers shorter peduncled ; calyx not remarka? 
bly 5-angled, much shorter than the tube of the corolla.*—Illinois. I 
y. calycina: flowers shorter peduncled ; calyx not remarkably 
5-angled, longer than the tube of the corolla, which is equal to 
the acute lobes.—Texas. 
This species bears some resemblance to C. Polygonorum on 
one side, and to the three foregoing species on the other ,* to 
these by the acuminate lobes of the . corolla, to the first by the 
depressed ovary and pale greenish-yellow capsule f but it is dis¬ 
tinguished from both by the orbicular lobes of the generally large 
apd more or less pentagonal calyx. The inflorescence represents 
little umbels in < ^ / or approaches the glomerules of C. Polygono - 
Xum in 8. and y. The lobes of the corolla are acute, resembling 
fn shape those of the following species, in the Texan variety; or 
longer and finely acuminate, (similar to C. verrucosa and C. his - 
pidula,) in the more northern forms. Stamens short, only half 
the length of the limb; anthers nearly globose. Scales large, 
f ovate, fimbriate, sometimes exceeding the tube. Ovary and cap¬ 
sule depressed. 
This is probably the earliest species in North America; in Texas 
it has been found in bloom in April and May, and near Bardstown 
early in July; while here, one hundred miles further south, hardly 
any other species begins to open its flowers before the last days 
of that month. 
9. Cuscuta Polygonorum. —Segments of calyx generally as 
long as the tube of the corolla, mostly subacute, but occasionally 
also somewhat obtuse; the corolla is thin, membranaceous, com¬ 
posed of a very fine cellular tissue; stamens broad at base, sub¬ 
ulate ; scales smaller than in any other species, except C. Coryli . 
* In all other species which are here mentioned, it is of a brown-color, except 
perhaps in C. Cephalanthi, where it is also light-colored. 
