558 



DICOTYLEDONES. 



with large <J- and small -flowers). 275 species ; especially from the temperate 

 aod colder parts of the northern hemisphere of the Old World, Western North 

 America and the Andes. Bitter properties are characteristic, such for instance 

 as the volatile acid and volatile oil of Valeriana ; these occur especially in the 



FIG. 531. Vtileriana : A ovary (longitudinal 

 section); -B ripe fruit. 



FIG. 595. Valeriana : a flower 

 iu the (J stage ; b in Ihe $> . 



rhizomes. OFFICINAL ; the rhizomes of V. officinalis. The true Indian 

 " Nardus," an important medicine and perfume in India, is extracted from 

 Nardostac]ii/s (Himalaya). A variety of Valerianella olitoria is sometimes 

 used as salad. 



Order 2. Dipsacaceae (Teasels). Herbs with opposite leaves 

 without stipules. The flowers are situated in compact capitula 

 each with an involucre. A characteristic feature of the order 

 is that each flower of the capitulum has a gamophyllous " epicalyx " 



FIG. 595. Centranthus ruber. 

 Flower, its lowermost portion (the 

 ovary and spur) in longitudinal 

 section. (Mag ) 



Fio. 597. Scabiosa airopurpurea. Fruitinlon- 

 gitudinal section. Inside the " epicalyx " may 

 be seen the fruit drawn out into a beak, with 

 straight embryo and radicle directed upwards. 



