A. pumilus. Nutt. A low plant, somewhat decumbent, diffuse,
with ovate leaves, which are obtuse and fleshy ; on Nashawn
Island. T. A. Greene. A. retroflexus, L ., has been found in
several parts of the country.
In the gardens several species are cultivated, as
A. melancholicus. W. Melancholy, from the East Indies.
A. lividus. W. Lead Amaranth, from North America.
A. tricolor. W. Three-colored Coxcomb, from the East
Indies.
A. caudatus. W. Love-lies-bleeding, from the East Indies.
G omphrena. * L . 5. 1.
G. globosa. L. Globe Amaranth, or Bachelor’s Buttons.
Well known for its beautiful heads of red flowers, and easily cultivated
as an annual. India. If the heads are picked before
maturity, they preserve their beauty for years. Loudon.
ORDER 152. SGLERANTHEiE. T he K nawel T ribe.
Only 2 genera belong to the order. The species grow over
Europe, Asia, and North America ; only 3 p f Scleranthus are
described ; all useless plants ; the name means hard flower.
S cleranthus. L. 10. 2.
S. annuus. L. Common Knawel. Stems procumbent,
spreading, somewhat pubescent, numerous ; flowers in axillary
fascicles, green and very small ; leaves linear, opposite, acute ;
July, in sandy fields.
ORDER 153. CHENOPODEiE. T he G oose F oot
T ribe.
From the Greek, Goose-Foot, on account of the resemblance
of the leaves of many species to the webbed feet of water birds.
The plants have little of interest in their appearance, and their
flowers are insignificant.
Calyx persistent, deeply parted, sometimes with divisions
united at the base ; corolla none ; stamens on the base of the
calyx, and against the divisions which they equal in number ;
ovary superior ; fruit membranous, sometimes berry-like ; leaves
alternate, sometimes opposite ; flowers small, sometimes polygamous.
This order contains a considerable number of plants ; some
highly useful. Many have been used as pot-herbs.
C henopodium. L. 5, 2.
C. album. L. Pig-weed, or White Goose-Foot. A common
weed in gardens and fields succulent, and formerly" used as
a pot-herb.
C. hybridum, L., and C. rubrum, L. Often called Goose-
F o o t; gardens and waste places.
C. botrys. L. Oak of Jerusalem. A native of this country ;
a small, erect, branching, and leafy plant, with scattered clusters
of flowers on short branches, giving the whole a spike-form appearance
; of a strong and peculiar odor ; grows on light, sandy
soil ; August. Tonic and antispasmodic.
The genus numbers about 40 species, 4 or 5 only being indigenous
; the first three just mentioned, have probably been introduced
from Europe. The ashes of our species are used in the
manufacture of soda.
B eta. L. 5. 2. Beet.
From the Celtic for red.
B . vulgaris. L. The common Beet, white and red. These
plants, introduced from the south of Europe, have become necessary
as articles of food. The cultivation of the Sugar Beet is no
longer problematical. The introduction of an article of such
extensive consumption, demanding new and increasing industry and
capital, may form an era in the history of our agriculture and
prosperity. The extraction of 10 per cent, of sugar from the
beet, by the improved method in France, renders it certain, that
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