244 



CCXXVI. HYDROPHYLLE^. The Waterleaf Tribe. 



R.Brown Prodr. 1. 492. (1810), without a name HYDnoPHYLLEjE, Von Martins N. G. 



et Sp. 2. 138. (1828) ; Link Handb. 1. 570. (1829), a § o/ CordiaceiB. 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with regular flowers, a supe- 

 rior 1-celled ovarium with ovula attached to parietal or fungous stalked 

 placentae, and a naked stigma. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Chahacter — Cali/x with 5 or 10 divisions, inferior. Corolla mono- 

 petalous, regular, or nearly so, hypogynoiis, S-lobed, with 2 lamellaj at the base of each 

 lobe. Stamens alternate with the segments of the corolla, in aestivation inflexed ; anthers 

 ovate, innate, 2-ceUed, bursting longitudinally. Ovarium simple, 1-celled, superior, with 

 slight traces of a hypogynous disk ; style simple or divided, terminal ; stigma bifid ; ovules 

 attached to 2 parietal or fungous stalked placentae, either definite or indefinite. Fruit cap- 

 sular, iew. or many-seeded, invested with the permanent cal\T£. Seeds definite or inde- 

 finite ; embryo taper, lying towards the end of the albumen, which is abundant and some- 

 what cartilaginous; its radicle superior, and next the hilum Herbaceous hispid plants.' 



Leaves either opposite or alternate, but in the latter case lobed. Peduncles opposite the 

 leaves. 



Affinities. Very near Boraginese and the orders which have been 

 recently separated from it, with which Hydrophyilese agree in the roughness 

 of their leaves and many other marks of obvious resemblance. They are, 

 however, known by their undivided 1-celled ovarium, terminal style or styles, 

 and ovula (if definite) attached to two stalked fungous placentse, which arise 

 from the base of the cell, having their ovula on their inner face, or (if indefi- 

 nite) attached to parietal placentae. They are further characterised by the pre- 

 sence of 2 scales or lamellae at the base of each lobe of the corolla, the nature 

 of which is unknown. The former mode of placentation is highly curious, 

 and, as far as I know, unlike that of any other plants. 



Geography. American herbaceous plants, found either in the north 

 or among the most southern of the southern provinces ; not known beyond 

 that continent. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Hydrophyllum, Nemophila, Ellisia, Eutoca, Phacelia. 



