FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. §1 



which develop from buds parasitic on various trees and shrubs. The 

 stem and leaves are wholly wanting; the whole plant consists of a sin- 

 gle flower, often of gigantic size, which gradually develops, ripens its 

 seed and perishes. By far the most celebrated genus is Rafflesia, con- 

 taining about 6 species, natives of Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the 

 Philippine Islands. They grow exclusively on various species of Cis- 

 sus, a genus allied to our grapes. Figure 75 gives a good idea of the 

 general appearance of the flower, the species being H. Ar?ioldl, the 

 original type of the genus. 



The flowers have a 6-cleft calyx, usually globular or cup-shaped, 

 sometimes saucer-shaped, with numerous stamens borne on a central 

 column. Some species of Raffiesia have flowers of gigantic size, 

 measuring several feet in diameter; the buds resemble huge cabbages. 

 They are usually foul smelling and decay easily. 



Family Hydnoraceae. Hydnora Family. A group of fungus- 

 like fleshy parasites consisting of two genera and about 8 species, na- 

 tives of South Africa. 



