THE DICOTYLEDONES 



1631 



Fig. 1490. — Capparis spinosa. {After Baillon.) 



(Fig. 1490) provide capers. The plant is of 

 Mediterranean origin. A remarkable feature 

 of the Capparidaceae is the frequent develop- 

 ment of a gynophore, a prolongation of the 

 floral axis which carries the gynoecium up- 

 wards to a position above all the other parts of 

 the flower, where it stands isolated on a long 

 column. 



The Resedaceae, which are sometimes 

 included in the Parietales, are annual or per- 

 ennial herbs, with zygomorphic flowers. The 

 flowers are small, the receptacle being enlarged 

 on the posterior side, where the petals and 

 stamens are bigger than on the anterior side. 

 The ovary is generally compound but uniloc- 

 ular and remains open at the top. The seeds 

 do not possess any endosperm. They are 



Fig. 1 49 1. — Reseda liitea. Wild Mignonette. 



