2593
I S N A R D I A palustris.
Marsh Isnardia.
TETRANDRIA Monogynia.
Gen. Char. Cal. 4-cleft, superior. Petals 4, or
wanting. Stigma capitate. Capsule obovate,
quadrangular, 4-valved, 4-celled, many-seeded,
crowned with the calyx.
Spec. Char. Stem procumbent, rooting, glabrous.
Leaves opposite, ovate, acute, stalked. Flowers
axillary, solitary, sessile, apetalous. DeCand.
Syn. Isnardia palustris. Linn. Sp. PI. 175. Sm. Engl.
FI. v. 4. 264. DeCand. Prod. v. 3. 61.
I s n a r d i a palustris has long been known as an inhabitant
of various parts of the continent of Europe and of
America, from Canada to Georgia and even Mexico, but
had never been suspected to be a native of England, till
Mr. Borrer found it growing in a pool, at Buxtead, Sussex,
whence he sent us specimens in flower and fruit, in July
1827.
The stems are from 6 to 8 inches long, rounded, glabrous,
as is every part of the plant, branched, with the branches
opposite, of a reddish colour below, brownish above, throwing
out roots from various parts of the under surface.
Leaves opposite, ovate, entire, somewhat succulent, spreading,
attenuated into a footstalk, with the midrib, and often
the margins, red, quite entire. Flowers solitary, axillary,
sessile, having two small tubulate bracteas at the base.
Germen inferior, obovate, and obtusely quadrangular. Calyx
of 4, broadly ovate, and acute green, segments. Corolla
none. Stamens placed opposite to the calycine segments,
small. Anthers roundish, pale yellow. Style short. Stigma
capitate. Capsule retaining the same form as the germen,
and equally crowned with the calyx, which now spreads out