150 



CXXXII. MALESHERBIACE^. 



Malesherbiace/E, Don in Jameson's Journal, 321. (1826) PassiflohEjE, 



§ Malesherbieae, Dec. Prodr. 3. 337- (1828). 



Diagnosis, Polypetalous dicotyledons, with definite perigynous sta- 

 mens, a membranous ring at the mouth of the tube of the calyx, concrete 

 carpella, a superior 1 -celled ovarium with parietal placentae, styles widely 

 apart at the base, corolla with a twisted aestivation, exstipulate glandless 

 leaves, exarillate seeds, and an embryo in the midst of fleshy albumen. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character — Calyx tubular, meml)ranous, inflated, S-lobed, the lobes 

 with ail imbricated aestivation. Petals 5, alternate with the segments of the calyx, 

 persistent, with a convolute aestivation, arising from without a short membranous rim 

 or corona. Stamens 5 or 10, perig^Tious ; filaments filiform, distinct, or connected with 

 the stalk of the ovarium; anthers versatile. Ovarium superior, stipitate, 1 -celled, with 

 the placentae at the base, from which the ovules arise by the interventiim of umbilical 

 cords ; styles 3, filiform, very long, arising from distinct points of the apex of the ovarium ; 

 stigmas clavate. Fruit capsular, 1 -celled, 3-valved, membranous more or less, manv- 

 seeded. Seeds attached by umbilical cords to placenta? arising either from the axis of 

 the valves, or from their base ; testa crustaceous, brittle, with a fleshy crest, and no 

 arillus ; embryo taper, in the midst of fleshy albumen, with the radicle next the hilum. — 

 Herbaceous or half-shrubby plants. Leaves alternate, lobed, without stipulje. Flowers 

 axillary or terminal, solitary, yellow or blue. 



Affinities. According to Mr. Don, by whom these plants were first 

 considered the rudiments of an order, " they agree on the one hand with 

 Passiflorese, and on the other with Turneracese ;" and I am persuaded that 

 this is their true position. From the former they differ in the insertion of 

 their styles, in their versatile anthers, in their sliort placentse, membranous 

 fruit, taper embryo, want of arillus and of stipules, and altogether in their 

 habit : from TurneracetJe, to which their habit quite allies them, they differ 

 in the presence of a perigynous membrane, in the remarkable insertion of 

 the styles, and in the want of all trace of an arillus ; agreeing with that 

 order in the aestivation of the corolla, and in the principal other points of 

 their structure. I have modified the essential character of the order, in 

 conse(]uence of the inspection of a Chilian plant, of which specimens are 

 in my possession. 



Geoguaphy. Natives of Chile. 



Proi'euties. Unknown, except as objects of great beauty. 



Example. Malesherbia. 



CXXXIII. TURNERACE.E. 



LoASE.T,, § Turneraceae, Knnth N. G. el Sp. 6. 123. (1823).— Turnerace.T', Dec. 

 Prodr. 3. 343. (1828). 



DiACiNosis. Polypetalous dicotyledons, with 5 perigynous stamens, con- 

 crete carpella, a superior 1-cellod ovarium with 'A parietal placentui, corolla 

 with a twisted ecstivation, and embryo in the midst of fleshy albumen. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Caly.r inferior, often coloured, with .5 equal lobes, im- 

 bricated in a-stivation. Petals .5, inserted into the tube of the <;alyx, equal, with a twisted 

 aestivation. Stamens .5, inserted into the tube of the calyx below the j)etals, with which 

 they are alternate ; ./(7rtme«/.v distinct ; an/Z/frAolilong, erect, 2-cell('d. Ovarium superior, 

 1 -celled, with 3 parietal jilacentfc ; ovules indefinite; styles 3 or 6, cohering more or less. 



