FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 



193 



Fig. 170. Firey Cuphea [Cuphea Llavce). 



by the clammy cuphea, a troublesome weed with insignificant flowers. 

 Lagerstroemia, the crape myrtle, is probably the most highly orna- 

 mental shrub of the Southern States. Originally introduced from 

 Southern Asia, it has been so commonly cultivated that it has become 

 spontaneous in many places. The leaves are dark glossy green, and 

 the delicate pink flowers, produced in lilac-like masses, have a texture 

 similar to crape, the petals being borne on long claws and beautifully 

 fringed. 



Family Sonneratiaceae. Sonneratia Family. Consists of a single 

 genus Sonneratia, with about eight species, natives of India and the 

 Malay archipelago. They are trees with opposite leaves, large termi- 

 nal flowei s distinguished from those of the preceding family by the 

 numerous stamens, and a berry-like fruit. The kambala, S. apetala, 

 furnishes a strong, close-grained wood, used in the manufacture of 

 packing-cases. 



Family Punicaceae. Pomegranate Family. This group, of which 

 the pomegranate is the type, was formerly included in the Lythraceae, 

 but is separated from that family on account of the peculiar structure 

 of i\\Q fruit, which consists of two rows of capsules, placed one above 

 another. The numerous seeds are enveloped in a transparent, muci- 

 laginous coating. The flowers are highly ornamental, being usually 

 a vivid scarlet, while the fruit is yellow, tinged with orange. The 

 flavor is pleasant, and moderately acid. Pomegranates are natives 

 of Asia and Africa, but they may be cultivated wherever the climate is 

 sufliciently mild. 



Family Lecythidaceae. Brazil-nut Family. A group of large 

 tropical trees comprised in 7 genera and about 130 species. They are 

 natives of South America, having large showy flowers, the stamens in 

 which are frequently united into a plate, woody capsules, and almond- 



