146 



FLOKA OF JxVMAICA 



Mirabilis 



unequal. Ovary 1 -celled. Fruit (called an (uitliocarp) consisting 

 of the persistent l)ase of the perianth enclosing and adhering to 

 an indehiscent utricle. Seed erect. Embryo curved or straight ; 

 cotyledons large, enclosing the endosperm. 



Species 160, natives of warmer regions, especially in America. 



Flowers with a calyx-like involucre 1. Mirabilis. 



Flowers with miuute bracts. 



Herbs with minute flowers 2. Boerhavia. 



Shrubs or trees. 



Stamens and stigma exserted 3. Pisonia. 



Stamens and stigma included 4. Neea. 



1. MIRABILIS L. 



Herbs. Leaves opposite. Flowers in cymes. Bracts form- 

 ing a calyx-like involucre, 5-lobed ; lobes erect, imbricate, not 

 enlarged after flowering. Perianth with a long tube constricted 



fig. 49. Mirabilis Jalapa L, 



A, Portion of plant. 



B, Lower part of flower cut length- 



wise ; h, bract ; p, perianth ; st, 

 stamens ; o, ovary. 



C, Anthocarp. 



D, Do. cut length-vise ; c, cotyledonsj 

 r, radicle ; e., endosperm. 



E, Embryo ; c, cotyledons ; r, radicle. 



and deciduous above the ovary ; limb spreading, 5-lobed, plicate. 

 Stamens 5-6, unequal in length, exserted, filaments connate at 

 the base into a fleshy cup. Ovary with style exserted ; stigma 

 capitellate, covered wdth stalked papillae. Anthocarp crustaceous. 



