50 Ludwigia macrocctrpa.
reddish colour, somewhat rough on the angles, and pubescent towards
the summit; young branches and bases of leaves, particularly
the younger ones, carmine-red. Leaves alternate and opposite, sessile,
lanceolate and linear-lanceolate, acute, the terminal ones linear,
and obtuse, all very entire; pale or asparagus-green beneath, but not
hoary as described by some writers; light yellow-green and smooth
above. The mid-rib, nerves of the under side of the leaves, and
angles of the stem, covered with short, scattered hairs, and the
same thing occurs on the margins of the leaves, which appear,
particularly in dried specimens, to be fringed with short cilise.
Flowers axillary, often solitary, but mostly in pairs, supported by
short peduncles.' Calix larger than the corolla, its segments ovate
and acuminate, five-nerved ; the apex of each segment tipped with
carmine-red—the whole of the mature calix of a dull-red colour.
Corolla, when fully expanded, rotate. Petals four, ovate, gamboge-
yellow, very caducous. Stamens constantly four, filaments very
short. Anthers pale-yellow. Stigma viscid. Capsules large, shining,
of a globose, cubical form, with four angles or wings, the wings ciliated,
and perforated at the top. Seeds small and numerous.
Grows from New England to Georgia, inhabiting grassy swamps,
low wet meadows, particularly along the margins of meadow drains
and ditches, and near the banks of small waters. It delights in a
moist and boggy soil. Flowers in June, and continues to bloom till
August, or even later.
Ludwigia macrocarpa. 5 1
The genus Ludwigia was named by Linnseus in honour of Christian
Theophilus Ludwig, Professor of Medicine in the University of
Leipsic, and author of many celebrated works on Botany and Medicine.
It is a numerous genus. In North America there are thirteen
species, most of which are indigenous to the southern states. The
specific appellation, macrocarpa, was given by Michaux to designate
its large capsule: but as some other species possess this character,
it is scarcely a better name than alternifolia, which it was intended
to amend, because of its expressing a character not constant in the
plant, the leaves being frequently opposite. As the latter specific
term actually led to misconception or error, the less exceptionable
one by which the plant is here noticed, has been preferred. This
is the commonest species of Ludwigia in Pennsylvania, where it is
decidedly perennial. It appears strange that so many writers have
regarded it as annual. Mr. Elliot, however, has found it perennial
in Georgia. The L. pilosa which it much resembles, its hairyness
apart, is often found with it, inhabiting similar situations. L. macrocarpa
is very common in the vicinity of this city, and the pilosa very
rare.
Fig. ii A flowering specimen.
3. A petal.
3. The germ, stamens, and pistil.
(All the size of nature.)