•M. cordifolia. Mx., has a rather shorter stem, with only one
leaf or none, but with cordate, lobed, and crenate leaves at the
ro o t; sometimes creeping by suckers ; petals beautiful, like the
other ; grows in rocky, moist places, and flowers in June.
T iarella. L, 10. 2.
T. cordifolia. L. Mitre Wort. Resembles the preceding
in its leaves and stem ; flowers yellowish-white in a long raceme ;
grows in woods with M. diphylla ; of delicate appearance, hut no
useful application.
R eseda. L . 12. 3.
R. odorata. L. Mignonette, is a common exotic of the
gardens, a finely-scented plant. A much taller variety, without
odor, is also cultivated for its beauty, R. frutescens.
R. luteola, L ., Dyer’s Weed, is merely noticed as rarely
cultivated.
ORDER 46. CACTEiE. I ndian F ig T r ib e .
Sepals and petals numerous, usually indefinite ; stamens indefinite,
somewhat cohering to the petals ; ovary inferior, 1-celled ;
style filiform ; fruit succulent ; leaves wanting, or fleshy, smooth,
entire or spine-like.
Cactus. L . 11. 1.
A genus of succulent plants, various and singular in structure,
commonly leafless. Many species are cultivated in the hothouses,
on account of their singular form, and the beauty of their
flowers.
C. opuntia. L. Prickly Pear. Named from the town Opus,
in Greece. It is a well-known exotic. Nantucket. T. A.
Greene.
ORDER 47. ONOGRARLE. E vening P rimrose T r ib e .
This includes 4 genera, and nearly a dozen species in our
State. The plants of this order belong to temperate climes ;
and possess no very interesting or useful properties.
Calyx superior, tubular, with a 4-lobed division ; petals inserted
on the throat of the calyx, and equal to the divisions of the calyx ;
stamens definite ; style single, with a capitate or 4-lobed stigma;
leaves simple, alternate or opposite.
CEnothera. L. 8. 1.
CE. biennis. L. Scabish. Tree Primrose. Stem 3 - 5
feet high, villous and scabrous ; flowers yellow, in a terminal
spike, with obcordate petals ; leaves ovate-lanceolate, alternate,
pubescent ; found in fields, and flowers from June to September.
Roots farinaceous.
CE. fruticosa. L. Sundrop. Rather shrubby, was found by
T. A. Greene, at Plymouth.
CE. pumila. L. Low Scabish. Is common over dry fields.
CE. grandiflora. Ait. Garden Scabish. A native of the Southern
States, is cultivated for its flowers ; much resembles the first.
IsNARDIA. L. 4. 1.
I. palustris. L. Water Purslane. Stem prostrate, creeping,
smooth, with opposite and ovate-lanceolate leaves ; flowers single,
axillary, without corolla ; grows in wet places and pools, and
blossoms in June. Has a slight resemblance to common Purslane.
I. alternifolia. DC. Seed Box. Stem 2 feet high or more,
branched, smooth ; leaves lanceolate, alternate, slightly scabrous
on the margins and under side ; flowers axillary and single ;
capsule roundish-obovate, 4-angled, and winged ; grows in swamps,
and flowers in July.
E pilobium. L. 8. 1.
E. spicatum. i Lam. Sweet Willow Herb. Stem 3 - 6 feet
high, leafy, round, smooth, branched above, ending in a raceme
of many flowers ; leaves linear-lanceolate and veined ; flowers
purple, with irregular petals; grows along woods and moist
hedges, and blossoms in July. This is a very showy plant.