10. Alsine Graminea (L.) Britton. Lesser Stitchwort. Lesser Starwort

Fig. 1758

Stellaria graminea L. Sp. Pl. 422. 1753.

A. graminea Britton, Mem. Torr. Club 5: 150. 1894.

Weak, glabrous, ascending from creeping root-stocks, branching above, 1°-2° high or long, stem 4-angled. Leaves sessile, lanceolate or oblong.-lanceolate, spreading or ascending, io"-I5" long, 2"-3" wide, broadest just above the ciliolate base, acute, the lower smaller; cymes diffuse, terminal, or at length lateral; pedicels slender, spreading; bracts scarious, often ciliate, lanceolate, 2"-3" long; flowers 3"-5" broad; sepals lanceolate, acute, 2"-2\" long, 3-nerved; petals 2-cleft, about the length of the sepals; capsule oblong, exceeding the sepals; seeds finely roughened.

In fields and along roadsides, Newfoundland to Ontario and Maryland. Considered by Prof. Macoun as native in Canada; in southern New York and New Jersey it is certainly introduced and adventive from Europe. Native of Europe and northern Asia. May-July.

11. Alsine Lóngipes (Goldie) Coville. Long-Stalked Stitchwort

Fig. 1759

Stellaria longipes Goldie, Edinb. Phil. Journ. 6:

327. 1822. A. longipes Coville, Contr. Nat. Herb. 4: 70. 1893. Stellaria Edwardsii R. Br. in Parry's Voy. App.

cclxxi. 1824. A. longipes Edwardsii Britton, Mem. Torr Club 5:

150. 1894.

Erect or ascending, tufted, simple or rarely sparingly branched, 3'-12' high, glabrous, shining, glaucous or pubescent. Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 5"-18" long, l"-3" wide at the base, rigid, ascending or erect; flowers few, 3"-5" broad, terminal, on long slender erect pedicels; bracts scarious, lanceolate; sepals ovate or lanceolate, acute or acutish; petals 2-cleft, exceeding the calyx; capsule ovoid, longer than the sepals; seeds smooth.

In moist places, Labrador and Nova Scotia to Quebec, west to Alaska and Minnesota, south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado, and to California. Also in northern Asia. Summer. Consists of many races, differing mainly in size of plant, size of flowers and pubescence.

12. Alsine Crassifolia Ehrh. Fleshy Stitchwort

Fig. 1760

Stellaria crassifolia Ehrh. Hannov. Mag. 8: 116. 1784. Alsine crassifolia Britton, Mem. Torr. Club 5: 150. 1894.

Diffuse or ascending, weak, slender, simple or branched, glabrous, 2'-10' long. Leaves somewhat fleshy, oblong-lanceolate to linear-oblong, acute or obtuse, narrowed at the base, 3"-8" long, 1"-2 1/2" wide; cymes terminal, few-flowered, or flowers axillary and solitary; bracts foliaceous, small; peduncles slender, ascending; flowers 2"-$" broad; sepals lanceolate-oblong, acute; petals longer than the calyx; capsule ovoid, longer than the sepals; seeds rough.

In springs and moist places, Labrador to Quebec, Illinois, Manitoba and in arctic America, south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado. Also in northern Europe and Asia. Summer.