PERSONATE. 



517 



is sometimes destitute of cotyledons. The flowers are crowded 

 into capitulate inflorescences, complicated by accessory shoots 

 (Fig. 553 A) ; they have S5, P5 (imbricate {estivation), A5 (and 

 beneath the stamens 5 scales on the corolla-tube), G2. Fruit a 

 capsule opening by a lid. Cuscuta europcea, C. epilinum (Flax-Dod- 

 der), C. epithymum (Lesser-Dodder), C. trifolii (Clover-Dodder), 

 etc., are parasitic on different hosts, or parasitic each on its own 

 particular host. 



FIG. 553. Cuscuta trifolii, parasitic on Red Clover. A A portion of the stem with an 

 inflorescence and haustoria (tnag.) ; B seed (nat. size) ; C seed (mag.) ; D embryo (nat. 

 size). 



8iO species ; the majority in the Tropics, especially Am. Many are ornamen- 

 tal plants. OFFICINAL : some on account of their purgative properties : the 

 tuberous roots of Iponuca purga (Jalap, from Mexico) and the dried latex 

 (" Scammony ")of Convolvulus sc ammonia (from the East). The tuberous roots 

 of Batatas edulis (Trop. S. Am.) are used as a common vegetable (Sweet Potato) 

 in the Tropics. 



Family 30. Personatse. 



The type of the flower is: So, P5, A5 (of which one, or in 

 some cases several, are suppressed), and Gr'2. The flowers are 



