17. LÈDUM, L. Labrador Tea.
Calyx 5-toothed, very small. Corolla of 5 obovate and spreading distinct petals. Stamens 5–10; anthers opening by terminal pores. Capsule 5-celled, splitting from the base upward, many-seeded; placentæ borne on the summit of the columella.—Low shrubs, with the alternate entire leaves clothed with rusty wool underneath, persistent, the margins revolute; herbage slightly fragrant when bruised. Flowers white, small, in terminal umbel-like clusters from large scaly buds; bracts or scales thin and caducous. (Λῆδον, the ancient Greek name of the Cistus.)
1. L. latifòlium, Ait. Erect, 1–3° high; leaves oblong or linear-oblong (1–2´ long), mostly ½´ wide, very obtuse; stamens 5–7; capsule oblong, acutish.—N. Eng. to Penn., Mich., Minn., and northward, in cold bogs and mountain woods.
L. palústre, L., with linear leaves, 10 stamens, and short-oval capsule, is found in Newfoundland and northwestward. (Eu.)
18. LEIOPHÝLLUM, Pers. Sand Myrtle.
Calyx 5-parted. Corolla of 5 distinct obovate-oblong petals, spreading. Stamens 10, exserted; anthers opening lengthwise. Style filiform. Capsule 2–3-celled, splitting from the apex downward, many-seeded.—A low much-branched evergreen, with the aspect, foliage, etc., of the last genus, but the crowded leaves sometimes opposite, scarcely petioled. Flowers small, white, in terminal umbel-like clusters. (Name formed of λεῖος, smooth, and φύλλον, leaf.)
1. L. buxifòlium, Ell. Shrub 6–10´ high; leaves oval or oblong, smooth and shining, 3–6´´ long.—Sandy pine barrens, N. J. to Fla. May.
19. LOISELEÙRIA, Desv. Alpine Azalea.
Calyx 5-parted, nearly as long as the bell-shaped and deeply 5-cleft regular corolla. Stamens 5, not declined, included; anthers opening lengthwise. Style short. Capsule ovoid, 2–3-celled, many-seeded, 2–3-valved; valves 2-cleft from the apex; placentæ borne on the middle of the columella.—A small depressed shrubby evergreen, much branched and tufted, smooth, with coriaceous opposite elliptical leaves, on short petioles, with revolute margins. Flowers small, white or rose-color, 2–5 in a cluster, from a terminal scaly bud; scales or bracts thick and persistent. (Named for Loiseleur-Delongchamps, a French botanist.)
1. L. procúmbens, Desv.—Alpine summits of the White Mountains, N. H., and northward. June. (Eu., Asia.)