Cutler, Manasseh, 1742-1823. Manasseh Cutler papers, 1782-1856. Book III. gra00062. Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Botany Libraries, Harvard University.

Stalks — erect. 4 or 5 square — jointed — 8 or 10 inches high 4 or 5 branches sent off at a joint — where ye stands 4 or 5 strap-shaped — (but acuminated at both ends) leaves 3/4 inch long 1/10 wide in a Star-form — ye branches all end in small spikes — seeds fall off as they ripen — spikes close — The flowers greenish white, exceeding small — Blooms for a long time & very late in ye year — grows in pastures, in dry & prety poor land. The flowers fall & ye — spike seems much like ye low century. But for want of a better belief Microscope must content myself not to attempt an accurate discription.

Sept. 30th No. 330 Late Branched Spike but know not wt it is —

Calyx — Cup of 3 segts 3 petals — on large ye other 2 small — & stand near together — ye larger one on ye oposite & upper side.

Corol. 2 large petals grow oposite between ye 2 small & ye large segts — ovate — Or think may belong to ye Calyx. for they are all coloured white borders with broad strips of green in ye middle. And within ye is ye appearance of 2 wings & a keel petal yt surrounds ye Stam.

Stam — It may be of ye 14 but amost inclined to think it si ye 23 Class — & should think so if ye Style was on ye Germen in any advanced stage of ye flower — before full bloom ye stile seems to be on ye germen size. filamts 6 8 or so very short & fine to grow upon it. Anthera simple & large for ye flower.

Pistil — Germ. above ovate compressed — stile & stigma appear like ye [keell?] above —

Seeds — 2 ovate or oblong indented black seeds contained in capsule of 2 cells. — large

But ye flower is too small to be perfectly exam. with my Microscope ##