FRANGTJLINJE. 



443 



with a lobed or fimbriated edge (Fig. 476 .1 and L, c) ; stamens 8, 

 the two median ones being absent, all united into a tube split 

 along the back, which is also slightly united to the keel (the 

 anthers, often 2 locular, open by pores, Fig. 476 Z?, st) ; the '2 median 

 carpels form a bilocular ovary. 1 pendulous ovule in each loculus 

 (Figs. 476 C, 475) ; capsule compressed with loculicidal dehis- 

 cence, rarely a nut. Poly gal a (Milk- wort). 



470 species ; distributed over the whole globe (none Arctic). OFFICINAL : the 

 root of P. smga, from N. Am. Some are used as ornamental plants. 



POLLINATION. The flowers of Polygala are pollinated by insects (chiefly bees). 

 The rimbriated processes of the anterior petal support the insect when it alights. 

 The anthers lie on each side of the stigma in the pouch of the anterior petal ; 

 the apex of the style is spoon-shaped, and immediately behind it is a viscid 

 stigmatic lobe. In reaching the honey the proboscis of the insect must come 

 in contact with the pollen and the viscid stigma, by which it is rendered sticky ; 

 this ensures the pollen adhering to the proboscis and so being carried to other 

 flowers. 



FIG. 476. Polygala amara. Parts of the flower (mag.) A Flower from side, 1-5 sepals : 

 c keel; B flower from above spread out : st the 8 stamens ; o fimbriated edge of "keel"; 

 (.' ovary with style and stigma. 



Family 17. Frangulinae. 



The plants belonging to this family, with very few exceptions, 

 are trees or shrubs. The leaves are usually simple ; stipules may 

 be absent or present. The flowers in almost all the orders are 

 small, green or whitish; they are always regular, 4- or 5-merons with 

 2-5 carpels, but never have more than 1 whorl of stamens, which 

 in Ehamnacece and Ampelidacece are placed opposite the petals 

 (typically 5 + 5 or 4 4-4 stamens, of which however either the ex- 

 ternal or internal whorl is always wanting) ; hypogynous or 

 slightly perigynous, in Rhamnacew only strongly perigynous or 

 epigynous ; generally ^ ; the calyx is inconspicuous ; petals free or 



