596 HAMAMELACE^. Hamamelis. 



Order LXVII. HAMAMELACE.^. R. Br. 



Calyx 4-5-cleft, or truncate with 5-7 obscure callous teeth ; the 

 tube more or less adherent to the ovary. Petals 4-5, long and 

 linear, inserted into the calyx alternate with its segments, with a 

 valvate aestivation at the base, the apex spirally involute ; some- 

 times none. Stamens either twice the number of the petals, those 

 opposite the calyx-segments fertile, those opposite the petals sterile 

 and scale-like ; or (in Fothergilla) somewhat indefinite and all fer- 

 tile : anthers innate or introrse, the cells usually opening by valves. 

 Ovary composed of 2 coherent carpels, adherent at the base to the 

 tube of the calyx, 2-celled, with usually a solitary pendulous ovule 

 in each cell (rarely with several, of which all but one are deformed 

 and sterile) : styles 2 (sometimes by accident 3), distinct : stigmas 

 simple. Capsule coriaceous or somewhat ligneous, 2-beaked, 2- 

 celled, dehiscent at the summit. Seeds anatropous. Embryo 

 straight, in the axis of the fleshy albumen : cotyledons foliaceous. 

 — Shrubs with alternate petiolate feather. veined leaves ; the veins 

 running from the midrib straight to the margin. Stipules deciduous. 

 Pubescence mostly stellate. Flowers in axillary or terminal nearly 

 sessile fascicles or heads, sometimes polygamous. 



Tribe I. HAMAMELE^. DC. 



Petals 4-5. Stamens 8-10, of which the alternate ones only are 

 fertile : filaments very short. Ovules solitary in each cell. 



1. HAMAMELIS. Linn. ; Juss. gen. p. 288; E. Br. in Abel, China, 

 p. 374 ; Endl. gen. p. 804. 



Calyx 2-3-bracteolate at the base, 4-parted. Petals 4, ligulate, very long 

 and narrow, marcescent. Fertile stamens 4, alternate with the petals : an- 

 thers adnate, introrse, 2-celled ; the cells opening by an operculate valve. 

 Sterile stamens 4, scale-like, opposite the petals. Styles 2, short. Capsule 

 coriaceous or almost bony, the base coherent with the persistent calyx-tube, 

 2-celled, opening at the top by locuUcidal dehiscence, the valves at length 

 2-cleft : endocarp coriaceous, separating and enclosing the seed, at length 

 bursting elastically into 2 pieces. Seed one in each cell, oblong : testa shin- 

 ing, crustaceous. — Shrubs or small trees. Leaves on short petioles repand- 

 ly crenate or entire. Glomerules axillary, nearly sessile. Petals yellowish. 

 Flowers often polygamous. 



