Siegnosperma 



PHYTOLACCACE.E 



161 



567 ; Walt, in Engl. Pfianzenreicli iv. pt. 83, 123. S. cubense 

 A. Rich, in Sagra Cub. x. 309 (1845), t. 44 ^ (1855). (Fig. 57.) 



Healthshire Hills, 330 ft., Brition it Harris ! Fl. Jam. 10,522. 

 Distribution as under genus. 



Described by Dr. Britton as " A woody vine 8 m. long, climbing to the 

 tops of low trees ; its reddish fleshy fruits are 3-grooved, borne in short 



Fig. 57. Stegnosper ma halimifolia Benth. 



A, Upper portion of branch x . C, Fruit wth one valve removed x 3"; 



B, Flower from which the petals have c, calyx ; v, valve of capsule ; s, seed]; 



fallen x 2. a, aril. 



D, Seeds enclosed by the aril X 3. 



E, Seed in section x 5 ; c, endosperm ; c, cotyledons ; ), radicle. 



terminal racemes." Leaves elliptical, obtuse, 2-5 cm. 1., 1-3-5 cm. br., 

 thin, nerves and veins somewhat indistinct on upper surface, but distinctly 

 reticulate beneath. Racemes 4 cm. 1. (4 times as long in continental 

 specimens). Pedicels '5 cm. 1. Flowers of Jamaican plant not seen. 

 Calyx (in fruit) 4 mm. 1. Capsule about 7 cm. 1. with calyx and filaments 

 persistent. 



6. MICROTEA Sw. 



Annual herbs. Leaves alternate, entire. Flowers minute, 

 in terminal and axillary racemes, hermaphrodite. Perianth with 

 5 segments. Stamens 5(-8), united at base. Ovary one-celled, 

 of two carpels ; stigmas '1 ; ovule solitary. Fruit globose, 

 tuberculate. Embryo semi-annular, surrounding endosperm ; 



M 



