1. H. inflàta, Ell. Leaves dissected into thread-like divisions, scattered on the floating and rooting stems, and crowded at the base of the cluster of peduncles, which are strongly inflated between the joints (often as thick as one's finger); pedicels short.—Pools and ditches, Mass. to S. Ind., and south to the Gulf. June–Aug.
2. DODECÀTHEON, L. American Cowslip.
Calyx deeply 5-cleft, the divisions lanceolate, reflexed. Corolla with a very short tube, thickened throat, and 5-parted reflexed limb; the divisions long and narrow. Filaments short, monadelphous at base; anthers long and linear, approximate in a slender cone.—Perennial smooth herb, with fibrous roots, a cluster of oblong or spatulate leaves, and a simple naked scape, involucrate with small bracts at the summit, bearing an ample umbel of showy flowers, nodding on slender pedicels. Corolla rose-color, or sometimes white. (Name from δώδεκα, twelve, and θεοί, gods, given by Pliny to the primrose, which was believed to be under the care of the superior gods.)
1. D. Meàdia, L. (Shooting-Star.) Rich woods, Penn. and Md. to Wisc., south to Ga. and Tex. May, June.—Very handsome in cultivation.
3. PRÍMULA, L. Primrose. Cowslip.
Calyx tubular, angled, 5-cleft. Corolla salver-shaped, enlarging above the insertion of the stamens; the 5 lobes often notched or inversely heart-shaped. Stamens 5, included. Capsule many-seeded, splitting at the top into 5 valves or 10 teeth.—Low perennial herbs, producing a tuft of veiny leaves at the root, and simple scapes, bearing the flowers in an umbel. (Name a diminutive of primus, from the flowering of the true Primrose in early spring.)
1. P. farinòsa, L. (Bird's-eye Primrose.) Scape 3–10´ high; leaves elliptical or obovate-lanceolate, denticulate, the lower side and the 3–20-flowered involucre, etc., covered with a white mealiness, at least when young; corolla pale lilac with a yellow eye.—Maine to N. shore of L. Superior, and northward. June, July. (Eu., Asia.)
2. P. Mistassínica, Michx. Scape 2–6´ high; leaves spatulate or wedge-oblong, thin and veiny, not mealy; involucre 1–8-flowered; lobes of the flesh-colored corolla broadly and deeply obcordate.—Wet banks and shores, northern N. Eng. and N. Y. to L. Superior, and northward. May. (Eu.)
4. ANDRÓSACE, Tourn.
Calyx 5-cleft; tube short. Corolla salver-shaped or funnel-form; the tube shorter than the calyx, contracted at the throat; limb 5-parted. Stamens and style included. Capsule 5-valved.—Small herbs, with clustered root-leaves, and very small solitary or umbelled flowers. (An ancient Greek name of a polyp, formerly believed to be a plant.)