38 



Ovula 2 or more in each cell, in two rows. Embryo straight, in the axis 

 of fleshy albumen. Cotyledons leafy, often bifid, crumpled or flat. Dec. 



Examples. Pentapetes, Astrapgea, Dombeya. 

 § 3. Walliciiie.t,. 



Biittneriaceee, § WaUichie*, Dec. Mem. Mus. 10. 102. (1823); Prodr. 

 1.501.(1824.) 



Calyx 5-lobed, surrounded by an involucriim, consisting of from 3 to 

 5 leaves, and distant from the flower. Petals 5, flat. Stamens numerous, 

 •with long monadelphous filaments, of which the ontermost are the smallest, 

 arranged in a column like those of Malvaceae. Anthers erect, 2-celled. Dec. 



Examples. Eriolsena, Wallichia. 



§ 4. Heumanniaces. 



Hermanniacece, Juss. ex Kunth Diss. p. 11. (1822); Nov. Gen. 5. 312, 

 (1821); Dec. Prodr. 1. 490. (1824); a section o/ Biittneriacese. 



Flowers hermaphrodite. Calyx 5-lobed, persistent, either with or with- 

 out an involucrum. Petals 5, twisted spirally before expansion. Stamens 

 5, monadelphous in a slight degree, all fertile and opposite the petals, with 

 ovate 2-celled anthers. Carpella concrete. Albumen between fleshy and 

 mealy. Embryo included ; radicle inferior, ovate. Cotyledons flat, leafy, 

 entire. Dec. — Shrubs, or herbaceous plants. Leaves alternate, simple, 

 entire, or variously cut. Stipules 2, adhering to the petioles. Peduncles 

 axillary, or opposite the leaves, or terminal, with 1, 3, or many flowers, 

 which are usually in umbels. Kunth. M. Decandolle assigns these plants 

 a curved embryo ; but all Hermanniacese have it not. 



Examples. Melochia, Hermannia, Riedleia. 



§ 5. True Buttneriace^. 



Buttneriaceae, R. Brown, 1. c. ; Kunth, 1. c. p. 6. — BUttnerieae, Dec. 

 Prodr. 1. 484. 



Petals usually hollowed out at the base, and expanded at the point 

 into a sort of strap. Filaments 5, sterile, ligulate, opposite the petals ; 

 others fertile, alternate, solitary, or pentadelphous in threes, or with but 

 a single anther. Ovarium 5-celled, the cells usually 2-seeded. Seeds 

 sometimes without albumen, with thick cotyledons; sometimes albuminous, 

 with foliaceous, plane, or convolute cotyledons. Dec. — Trees, shrubs, or 

 very rarely herbaceous plants. Leaves alternate, entire, sometimes cut. 

 Stipules twin. Peduncles axillary, opposite the leaves, and terminal, with 

 1 or many flowers. Kunth. 



Examples. Theobroma, Guazuma, Commersonia, Biittneria. 

 § 6. Lasiopetale.t.. 



Lasiopetalevje, Gay. Mem. Mus. 7.431. (1821), — Buttneriaceae, § La- 

 siopetaleae, Kunth, 1. c. (1822); Dec. 1. c. (1824.) 



Calyx 5-parted, petaloid, persistent, or withering. Petals minute, 

 like scales, or wanting. Filaments subulate, connate at the base ; some- 

 times 5, opposite the petals; sometimes 10, alternately barren and fertile. 

 Anthers incumbent, with contiguous lobes. Ovarium with from 3 to 5 cells, 

 each of which contains from 2 to 8 ovules. Carpella 5, 2-valved, usually 

 closely concrete, or partially distinct. Seeds strophiolate at the base. 

 Albumen fleshy. Embryo erect. Cotyledons flat, foliaceous. Dec. — Shrubs. 

 Leaves alternate, usually in threes, simple, entire, or lobed. Stipules twin 

 (or perhaps none). Inflorescence cymose, corymbose, or racemose, oppo- 

 site the leaves, very rarely produced within the leaves. Pedicels with 

 bracteac, so'.netimes articulated above the middle. Kunth. 



Examples. Lasiopetalum, Seringia. 



