610 



BOTANY 



Order 13. Gruinales 



The flowers of the majority of the plants belonging to this order 

 are hermaphrodite, pentamerous, and radially symmetrical, with a 

 superior, septate ovary. K 5, C 5, A 5 + 5, G (5). When the 

 flowers are zygomorphic they frequently exhibit reduction. Stamens 

 coherent at the base, obdiplostemonous or haplostemonous. Nectaries 

 to the outer side of the stamens or as a circular disc within the 

 stamens. Ovules, usually pendulous ; micropyle directed upwards. 



The Terebinthinae are included in this order as above defined. Their dis- 

 tinguishing characteristic is the intrastanrinal, annular nectary. 



Family 1. Geraniaceae. Herbs or small shrubs with, as a rule, alternate, 

 stalked, palmately veined 'leaves. Flowers 

 conspicuous, solitary in the leaf axils or form- 

 ing cymo.se or umbellate inflorescences. They 

 are usually ^ctinomorphic ; in Pelargonium 

 zygomorphic and provided with a spur. 

 Stamens 10 or f>. Two ovules in each loculus. 



l'i<.. i'.-ir.. Floral diagrams of Geraniaceae. A, 6>;r<,,M/ 

 prattiise ; B, Pelargonium zonalc. (After EICHLER.) 



KM.. 47.---Kniit of I'llnriiimlKni 



V. (After BAII.I.OS.) 



When ripe the five beaked carpels separate from a central column, and either open t> 

 liberate the seeds, or remain closed and by the hygroscopic movements of the awn- 

 like portion bury the seed in the soil (Figs. 646, 647. Cf. Fig. 222, p. 271). 



Geranium with ten stamens and Erodium with live stamens occur in Britain. 

 Numerous species of Pelargonium from the Cape are cultivated as ornamental 

 plants ; the peculiar scent of the vegetative organs is due to the ethereal oil 

 secreted by the glandular hairs. 



Family 2. Tropaeolaceae. Tropaeofum nmjus, Indian Cress, climbs by help 

 of the petioles. Flowers zygomorphic, spurred, with 8 stamens and 3 carpels. 

 Fruit, a capsule. Leaves peltate (cf. Fig. 191). 



Family 3. Oxalidaceae. Leaves compound, in sonic species irritable to 

 mechanical stimuli (liinpltijt.um. Oxalis acetosff/", Wood Sorrel, cf. p. 295). 



Family 4. Linaceae. Herbs or shrubs with alternate, narrow, entire leav.-.>. 

 Flowers actinomorphic. Stamens coherent at the base ; those opposite the petals 

 developed as staminodes. Ovary 5-locular, each loculus incompletely divided 

 by a false septum ; in each chamber is one pendulous ovule. Fruit a capsule 

 (Fig. 648 A-C). Liiiiini utttati$ttmUTn, Flax, has long been in cultivation. It is 



