Sepals 2, distinct and free, deciduous. Petals 5, ephemeral. Stamens 10–30. Style 3-lobed at the apex. Pod 3-celled at the base when young, 3-valved, with many seeds on a globular stalked placenta. (Derivation obscure.)
1. T. teretifòlium, Pursh. Perennial; leafy stems low, tuberous at base; leaves linear, cylindrical; peduncle long (3–6´) and naked, bearing an open cyme of pink flowers ({2/3}´ broad); stamens 15–20.—Serpentine rocks, Penn., to Ind., Minn., and southward. June–Aug. (Addendum) Style equalling the stamens.
(Addendum) 2. T. calycìnum, Engelm. Leaves somewhat broader; flowers and capsules larger; stamens 30 or more; style twice longer than the stamens, declined.—Central Kan. to W. Tex.
3. CLAYTÒNIA, Gronov. Spring-Beauty.
Sepals 2, ovate, free, persistent. Stamens 5, adhering to the short claws of the petals. Style 3-cleft at the apex. Pod 1-celled, 3-valved, 3–6-seeded.—Our two species are perennials, sending up simple stems in early spring from a small deep tuber, bearing a pair of opposite leaves, and a loose raceme of pretty flowers. Corolla rose-color with deeper veins, opening for more than one day! (Named in honor of Dr. John Clayton, one of our earliest botanists, who contributed to Gronovius the materials for the Flora Virginica.)
1. C. Virgínica, L. Leaves linear-lanceolate, elongated (3–6´ long).—Moist open woods; common, especially westward and southward.
2. C. Caroliniàna, Michx. Flowers rather smaller and fewer; leaves spatulate-oblong or oval-lanceolate (1–2´ long).—Maine to Minn., and southward along the Alleghanies.
(Addendum) 3. C. Chamissònis, Esch. Weak, procumbent or ascending, rooting below and perennial by lateral and terminal filiform runners; leaves several pairs, oblong-spatulate, 1–2´ long; inflorescence racemosely 1–9-flowered; petals pale rose-color; capsule small, 1–3-seeded.—In a cold ravine, Winona Co., Minn.; in the mountains from Colorado north and westward.
Order 17. ELATINÀCEÆ. (Water-wort Family.)
Little marsh annuals, with membranaceous stipules between the opposite dotless leaves, minute axillary flowers like those of the Chickweeds, but the pod 2–5-celled, and the seeds as in St. John's-wort. The principal genus is