35 



XXV. CHLENACE.E. 



ChlenacEjE, Thouars Hist. Veg. Afr. Aiistr. AG. (1806) ; Dec. Prodr. 1. 521. (1824.) 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous indefinite 

 monadelphous stamens, concrete carpella, an ovarium with several cells, and 

 suspended ovules, an imbricated calyx enclosed in an involucrum, stipulate 

 leaves, and round anthers bursting longitudinally. 



Anomalies. Leptolsena has definite stamens. 



Essential Character Involucrum 1-2-flowered, persistent, of variable form 



and texture. Sepals 3, small ; estivation imbricated ? Petals 5 or G, hypogynous, broader 

 at the base, sometimes cohering there. Stamens either very numerous, or sometimes only 

 10 ; filaments either cohering at the base into a tube, or adhering to the tube of petals ; 

 anthers roundish, adnate, or loose, 2-ceIled. Ovarium single, 3-celled ; style!, filiform; 

 stigma triple. Capsule 3-celled, or 1-celled by abortion. Seeds solitary or numerous, 

 attached to the centre, suspended ; embryo green, central ; albumen fleshy according to 



Jussieu, or horny according to Du Petit Thouars; cotyledons foliaceous, wavy. Trees or 



shrubs. Leaves alternate, with stipulaj, entire. Stipulie deciduous. Flowers in panicles 

 or racemes. Dec. 



Affinities. The monadelphous stamens and involucrated flowers in- 

 dicate an affinity with Malvacese. But Jussieu refers them rather to the 

 vicinity of Ebenaceae, considering the order monopetalous, and the seeds 

 albuminous. Very little is, in fact, known of these plants. 



Geography. They are only eight certain species, which are all natives 

 of Madagascar, 



Properties. Handsome shrubs, with fine flowers, often red; but 

 nothing is known of their qualities. 



Examples. Sarcolsena, Leptolaena, Rhodoleena. 



XXVI. BOMBACE^. The Cotton Tree Tribe. 



BOMBACE^, Kwith. Diss. Malv. p. 5. (1822); Dec. Prodr. 1. 475. (1824); A. St. Hilaire 

 Fl. Br. merid. 1. 25?. (1827) ; a section o/ Malvaceae. 



Diagnosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with hypogynous polyadelphous 

 stamens, concrete carpella, an ovarium of several cells with the placentse in 

 the axis, a calyx with valvate aestivation, 1-celled anthers bursting longi- 

 tudinally, no disk, flat cotyledons, and alternate stipulate leaves with stellate 

 pubescence. 



Anomalies. In Cheirostemon there are no petals, and the stamens are 

 united in a 1-sided 5-lobed body. 



Essential Character Sepals 5, cohering in a campamilate or cylindrical tube, 



which is either truncate, or with 5 divisions : at the base of this, on the outside, are 

 sometimes a few minute bractese. Petals 5, regular ; or sometimes none, but in that case 

 the inside of the calyx is coloured. Stamens 5, 10, 15, or more ; filaments cohering at the 

 base into a tube, which is soldered to the tube of the petals, divided at the apex into 5 parcels, 

 each of which bears one or more anthers, among which are sometimes some barren threads ; 

 anthers 1-celled, linear, reniform or anfractuose. Ovarium consisting of 5 carpella, rarely 

 of 10, either partly distinct or cohering strictly, and dehiscing in various ways; styles as 

 many as the carpella, either distinct or more or less coherent ; ovula 2, or many more. Fruit 

 variable, capsular, or indehiscent, usually with 5 valves, septifenius in the middle. Seeds 

 often enveloped in wool or pulp ; sometimes albuminous, with flat cotyledons ; sometimes 



exalbuminous, with shrivelled or convolute cotyledons Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, 



with stipulas. Pubescence of the herbaceous parts stellate. 



Affinities. So near Malvaceae, that they may perhaps be considered 

 rather a section than a distinct order. They are, however, often possessed 

 of a peculiar habit, being chiefly large trees, with broad umbrageous leaves, 

 and fine showy flowers. Their calyx is thick, and has not the regular 



