PINK FAMILY. CARYOPHYLLACEAE.

Fig 61. [Cockle. Agrostemma Githago] L.

Cockle. Agrostemma Githago L. Flowers rose-colored; pod erect, ovoid, about 16 mm. long; seeds dark brown to black, wedge-shaped-triangular, appearing as though the two extremities were bent together; surface covered with curved rows of conspicuous teeth, one side 3–3.5 mm. long. Introduced from Europe. In no sense a weed except in wheat fields.

Fig 62. [Thyme-leaved Sandwort. Arenaria serpyllifolia] L.

Thyme-leaved Sandwort. Arenaria serpyllifolia L. Flowers white; seeds reddish brown to lead color, slightly flattened, circular to short-kidney-shaped. Each side covered with 4–5 curved rows of smooth, oval tubercles, giving the appearance of having two extremities bent together, about 5 mm. in diameter. Naturalized from Europe, delighting in light, poor soil. When well grown it becomes a tumbleweed.

Fig 63. [Larger Mouse-ear Chickweed. Cerastium vulgatum] L.

Larger Mouse-ear Chickweed. Cerastium vulgatum L. Flowers white; pods cylindrical; seeds light-reddish yellow to dark reddish brown; slightly flattened, 4-sided, 2 of them straight, converging, one rounded, the other narrow and notched. Some of them ovoid, others nearly circular, covered with a few irregularly curved rows of tubercles, .4-.8 mm. in diameter. In large part introduced from Europe, though a native of this continent.

Fig 64.[Bouncing Bet. Soapwort. Saponaria officinalis] L.

Bouncing Bet. Soapwort. Saponaria officinalis L. Flowers white; seeds dark lead-color, flattened, short-kidney-shaped to circular with notch on one side, 2 mm. across, more or less, with 6–7 curved rows of short, shiny tubercles. Naturalized from Europe, delighting in sandy soil.

Fig 65. [Cow-herb. Saponaria Vaccaria] L.

Cow-herb. Saponaria Vaccaria L. Seed dull, jet-black, slightly roughened by great numbers of minute points, nearly spherical, 2.3 mm. in diameter. An annual very troublesome in spring wheat. Introduced from Europe.

Fig 66. [Sleepy Catch-Fly. Silene antirrhina] L.

Sleepy Catch-Fly. Silene antirrhina L. Flowers pink; seeds lead-color, slightly flattened, circular to short-kidney-shaped, each side covered with 5–6 curved rows of pointed tubercles giving the appearance of having two blunt extremities bent together, .5-.7 mm. across. Compare seeds with those of Arenaria above described. When in flower, two of the upper internodes are glutinous. Only found on thin soil.

Fig 67. [Forked Catch-fly. Silene dichotoma] Ehrh.

Forked Catch-fly. Silene dichotoma Ehrh. Seeds reddish-brown, flattened, the three sides and the corners rounded, thickest at one corner narrowing to the side opposite; seed scar in the middle of the narrow side, four curved rows of tubercles on either side of the seed extending to the scar, diameter 1.3 mm., the thick edge concave, containing 6–7 rows of tubercles.

Fig 68. [Bladder Campion. Silene latifolia] (Mill.) Britton & Randle. Silene (Moench) Garcke.

Bladder Campion. Silene latifolia (Mill.) Britton & Randle. Silene (Moench) Garcke. Flowers white; pod covered by an inflated calyx, seeds dull grayish brown, flattened, wedge-shaped, oval or 3-sided, 1–1.7 mm. across, 5–7 curved rows or tubercles on each side. Naturalized from Europe.

Fig 69. [Night-flowering Catch-Fly. Silene noctiflora] L.

Night-flowering Catch-Fly. Silene noctiflora L. Flowers white; seeds dull grayish brown, very slightly flattened, oval or short kidney-shaped, nearly 1.5 mm. across, with 8–10 curved rows of tubercles on each side. Naturalized from Europe.

Fig 70. [Spurry. Spergula arvensis] L.

Spurry. Spergula arvensis L. Flowers white; seeds jet-black, except a narrowly winged, light-colored margin, slightly flattened, circular in outline 1–1.5 mm. across, with a slight notch on one side, surface often sprinkled with delicate, fragile, light-colored prickles. Introduced from Europe. Thriving on poor, sandy land.

Fig 71. [Common Chickweed. Stellaria media] (L.) Cyrill. Alsine media L.

Common Chickweed. Stellaria media (L.) Cyrill. Alsine media L. Flowers white; seeds reddish yellow to dark brown, somewhat flattened, nearly circular, each side covered with 5–6 curved rows of tubercles, giving the appearance of having the two extremities bent together, about 1 mm. in diameter. Introduced from Europe, thriving in cool weather in shade.