2. Tragia Nepstaefòlia Cav. Catnep Tragia

Fig. 2725

T.nepetaefolia Cav. Icones 6: 37. pl. 557, f. I. 1801.

Tragia urticaefolia Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 176.

1803.

Perennial, hispid with stinging hairs. Stem slender, erect or reclining, 6'-15' long; leaves triangular-ovate or lanceolate, 5"-2' long, dentate-serrate, cordate, short-petioled, the lower sometimes orbicular; racemes 5"-1 1/2' long, many-flowered; staminate flowers mostly with a 3-lobed calyx and 3 stamens; pistillate flowers with a 5-lobed calyx; capsule much depressed, 3" in diameter, hirsute; seeds globose, chestnut brown, smooth, 2" in diameter.

In sandy soil, Georgia and Florida to Missouri, Kansas, Mexico and New Mexico. Recorded from Virginia. May-Oct.

3. Tragia Ramòsa Torr. Branching Tragia

Fig. 2726

T. ramosd Torr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. 2: 245. 1826.

T. stylaris Muell. Arg. Linnaea 34: 180. 1860.

Perennial, light green, bristly with stinging hairs. Stem slender, usually much branched, the branches sometimes spreading, 2'-12' long; leaves lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate or triangular-lanceolate, „-2' long, acute at the apex, coarsely and sharply serrate, truncate or cordate at the base, short-petioled; racemes 1/2'-1/2 long, few-flowered; staminate flowers very short-pedicelled, with a 4-5-lobed calyx and 4-6 stamens; pistillate flowers solitary with a 5-lobed calyx subtended by a 3-lobed bract; capsule much depressed. 3"-4" in diameter, bristly; seeds globose, 2" in diameter, orange, more or less variegated.

In dry soil, Missouri to Texas, Colorado and Arizona. July-Aug.

3 Tragia Ram Sa Torr Branching Tragia 10683 Tragia Ram Sa Torr Branching Tragia 1069

4. Tragia Macrocárpa Willd. Twining Or Large-Fruited Tragia

Fig. 2727

Tragia cordata Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 176. 1803. Not Vahl. 1790.

Tragia macrocarpa Willd. Sp. Pl. 4: 323. 1806.

Perennial, twining, slightly hirsute. Stem slender, 10'-4 1/2o long, branched; leaves ovate, 2-4 1/2' long, deeply cordate, coarsely dentate-serrate, long-acuminate; petioles mostly shorter than the blades, staminate flowers with a 3-lobed calyx and 3 stamens; pistillate flowers several at the bases of the spikes, short-pedicelled, the calyx 5-lobed; capsule depressed, 6"-8" in diameter; seeds subglobose, 2 1/4" long, smooth, variegated.

In dry or rocky soil, Kentucky to Missouri, Florida and Texas. June-Sept.