452 



DICOTYLEDONES. 



many, small seeds without endosperm. Outside each carpel is 

 found a small, nectariferous scale (Fig. 487). The northern genus, 

 Rhodiola, is dioecious. The petal-stamens are wanting in some (Crassula, 

 Biilliarda, and others). The floral-leaves are very often displaced upon their 

 axillary branches. A multicarpellary gynceceum also occurs. 



Sedum (Stonecrop) is generally 5-merous with 10 stamens ; Sem- 

 pervivum tectorum (House-leek), 12-mei-ous, and with 24 stamens. 

 The leaves of BnjoplujUum calycinum very readily form buds, and also fre- 

 quently exude water from the edges. 



485 species ; especially Temp. (Cape, Europe). Principally used as orna- 

 mental plants. 



Order 2. Saxifragaceae. The flowers are 4-5-merous with 2 

 (-3) carpels, most frequently: So, P5, A5 + 5 (obdiplostemonous), 

 G2. They are regular, ty , polypetalous, hypogynous, perigynous 

 or most frequently more or less epigynons (Fig. 488). The carpels 

 may be individually quite free, but are more frequently united at 

 the base, or the entire portion enclosing the ovules is united into a 

 1- or 2-locular ovary, the styles, however, are always free. Fruit 

 a capsule with many seeds; endosperm present. They are herbs, 

 most frequently with scattered leaves without stipules ; but the 

 leaf-base is broad. The inflorescences are most frequently cymose, 

 and a displacement of the floral-leaves is frequent (e.g. Clirysos- 

 plenium). Some Saxifrar/a-specles, e.g. S. tannenloxa, have irregular flower 

 with an oblique plane of symmetry. The petal-stamens in some may be 

 wanting : Heuchera, species of Saxifraga and Mitella. The corolla is wanting 

 in others. 



Saxifraga (Saxifrage) : S5, Po, A5 + 5, G2 (Fig. 488) ; capsule 

 bilocular, opening along the ventral suture between the 2 per- 

 sistent styles. S. (jranidnta has small 

 tubers at the base of the stem. Chry- 

 sosplenium (Golden Saxifrage) : 4 

 sepals, no corolla, 4 + 4 stamens; 

 1-locular capsule. 



V 



Protandry is most frequently found in 

 Sd.rifi'injti, with the stamens successively 

 bending towards the gynoecenm; protogyny 

 is more rare. In other genera there is 

 protogyny without any movement of the 

 stamens ; Chrysospleniitm is homogamous. 

 About 300 species; mostly in temperate climates. Saxifratiu is especially 

 Alpine. S. crassifolia and other species, Hoteia japonica, Tellima, etc., are 

 ornamental plants. 



FIG. 483.- Sa.vifi'aga granulata. Longi- 

 tudinal section of flower. 



