FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 



237 



Fig. 205. Wild Lousewort or Wood Betony {Pedictilaris Canadensis). 

 After Britton and Brown, 111. Fl, Northeast U. S. 



This is the only Scrophulariaceous tree seen in temperate climates; it 

 bears large pyramidal clusters of lilac-purple flowers, succeeded by ovoid 

 capsules which are persistent on the tree through the winter. It is 

 commonly planted in our parks, and escaped in many places. It is a 

 native of China and Japan. 



Family Bignoniaceae. Bignonia Family. Consists of climbing 

 shrubs or trees, with usually opposite compound leaves and showy 

 flowers. Calyx 4-5-toothed, sometimes completely cleft on one side, 

 forming a sort of spathe. Corolla 4-5-lobed, somewhat irregular. 

 Stamens 5, unequal, one or two generally abortive. Ovary 2-celled, 

 becoming in fruit a 2-celled, pod-like capsule ; seeds numerous and 

 vdnged. 



There are about 50 genera and 460 species in this family ; they are 

 found principally in the tropics of both hemispheres, but predominate 

 in the eastern. In equatorial jungles they constitute a large part of the 

 so-called "lianas," which are flexible, woody vines, whose rope-like 

 stems form loops in all directions, clambering over the tall forest trees 

 and making progress impossible. 



There are many genera, like Bignonia, whose showy flowers render 

 them desirable for greenhouse cultivation. Two species of Bignonia 

 and two of Tecoma are found within our borders, in the Southern States. 

 The tropical calabash tree ( Crescentia) with large, gourd-like fruits, used 

 for dishes and water-bottles, belongs to this family. 



