THE DICOTYLEDOXES 



1901 



Fig. 18 19. — Solamim tiiberostnn. Flower in longitudinal 



section. 



of false septa. The two carpels are placed obliquely in the flower and not in 

 the median plane. The placentation is axile. The ovules are numerous. 



The fruit is either a capsule or a berry. 



The seeds are endospermic and the embryo is generally curved. 



The family contains about eighty-five genera with about 2,000 species 

 which are distributed mainly in the tropics, although there are a number in 

 temperate climates. They are mostly herbaceous although in the genus 

 Solatium (Fig. 1820) a few species form shrubs, trees or climbers. 



Fig. 1820. — Solanum crispum. Flower in face 

 view. 



Ceri:ain anatomical characteristics of the family are important. Intra- 

 xylary phloem is normal in the stems, and is frequently accompanied by 

 sclerenchymatous fibres, while the secondary xylem contains no fibres. 



