near the 5 sessile stigmas ; berry 1-celled, many-seeded, situated
on the filiform branches or leaves.
C. vulgaris. L. Feather-beds. A slender, flexile plant with
a small stem, surrounded at short distances by a whorl of about
8 slender, filiform leaves. As it grows immersed in dense extensive
tufts, it looks like a soft bed of feather-like materials, and
in running water is a beautifully waving plant. Taken from the
water, it becomes very brittle, and has a very putrid odor.
C. jlexilis. L. Much resembles the other, is nearly as slender,
but a stiffer plant. In stagnant water with Najas ; Stock-
bridge.
R uppia. L. 4. 4.
R. maritima. L. Sea Teasel-Grass. Two flowers on a
spadix, rising from the leaves ; perianth none ; stamens 4-sessile,
and 4 drupes.
In salt marshes near Boston ; a grass-like plant with immersed,
linear leaves ; sends its spike-form flower-stem out of the water
to present the flowers to the sun ; stem is somewhat spiral, so as
to unwind as the water rises, and keep the flower in the air.
Named after a German botanist, Ruppi.
P otamogeton. L. 4. 4. Pond-weed.
From the Greek for near and river ; aquatics, common in Europe
and North America; perianth 4-leafed, no corolla, style
wanting, 4 seeds. Nine species are found in our waters. Flower
inconspicuous, projecting from the water by its long and porous
leaves. Some have floating as well as immersed leaves, and some
only the latter ; the stem bearing flowers projecting from the
water. Some are coarse plants, some much more delicate.
After the time of flowering, the stem is chiefly under water. In
some species the leaves are long and narrow, and are beautiful as
they wave in running streams.
P. compressum. W. Compressed stem, with linear, obtuse
leaves.
JUNCAGINEiE. 225
P. jluitans. L. Leaves reddish, spadix an inch long ; upper
leaves floating.
P. gramineum. Mx. Leaves' narrow-linear, flat ; upper
whorled.
P. natans. L. Leaves leathery, long-petioled, lower ones
linear-lanceolate.
P. perfoliatum. L. Leaves clasping, ovate and cordate.
Plants of little importance. The other four need not be described
; they are P. heterophyllum, Shreb., lucens, Mx., pecti-
natum, L ., and setaceum, Ph.
ORDER 259. JUNCAGINEiE.
Sepals and petals herbaceous, rarely absent ; stamens 6 ; ovaries
3 or 6, superior; fruit dry, 1 or 2-seeded ; leaves ensiform,
with parallel veins ; flowers in spikes and racemes.
The plants of- this order are widely spread over the world, in
marshy places ; properties of no consequence.
S cHEUCHZERIA. L. 6 . 3.
Perianth 6-parted ; ovaries 3 - 6 ; capsules compressed, inflated,
2-valved. From Scheuchzer, a German botanist.
/S. palustris. L. About a foot high, with leaves linear, somewhat
2-rowed, and sheathing ; flowers greenish-yellow, in a small
terminal raceme ; swamps ; July. “ Belchertown.”
T riglochin. L. 6. 3.
From the Greek for three and point, on account of the triangular
capsule ; only a few species, widely diffused.
Perianth double, 3-leafed each, the inner petal-like ; stamens
3 or 6 ; capsules 3 or 6, 1-seeded.
T. maritimum. L. Sea Arrow-grass. Grows about salt
marshes, with rush-like leaves, smooth and roundish, with a sweet-
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