THE DICOTYLEDONES 



1723 



I. Cycloloboideae 



The sub-family is characterized by the fact that the embryo is ring- 

 shaped, horseshoe-hke or semi-circular and wholly or partially immersed 

 in endosperm. Atriplex (Fig. 1598), Beta, Chenopodiiim, Salicornia, 

 Spinacia, Kochi'a, and Corispenmim. 









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Fig. 1598. — Atriplex (Obione) portulacoides. Plants in flower on a 

 shingle beach. Norfolk. 



II. Spiroloboideae 



This sub-family is separated from the former by the spirally twisted 

 embryos which are either devoid of endosperm, or, where this is present, 

 it is divided into two parts by the embryo. Suaeda, Sahola and Haloxylon. 



The pollination mechanism has not been very fully investigated and there 

 is considerable doubt as to whether wind or insects are the main agents 

 of pollination. Since the flowers possess small, calyculate perianths, and 

 are sometimes quite naked, they are comparatively insignificant and insects 

 are not attracted to them. Volkens, who has made a special study of the 

 family, considers that they are entomophilous and that wind pollination is 



