200 



CLXXXIX. STELLATiE. The Madder Tribe. 



Rubiaces, Sect. I. Juss. Gen. 196. (1789).— Stellatje. Linn.; R. Brown in Congo, (1818) ; 

 Lindl. Synops. 128. (1829).— Galieje, Turp. in Atlas du JSouv. Dict.des 80.(1) [Rubi- 

 acejE,' tribe xii.— Stellate, Dec. Prod. 4. 343. (1830.)] 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with an inferior didymous fruit, 

 solitary erect ovula, angular stems, and verticillate scabrous leaves without 

 stipulae. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior, 4- 5- or 6-lobed. Corolla monopetalous, rotate or 

 tubular, regular, inserted into the calyx ; the number of its divisions equal to those of the ca- 

 lyx. Stamens equal in number to the lobes of the corolla, and alternate with them. Ovarium 

 simple, 2-celled ; ovules solitary, erect ; style simple ; stigmata 2. Fruit a dry indehiscent peri- 

 carpium, with 2 cells and 2 seeds. Seeds erect, solitary ; embryo straight in the axis of horny 

 albumen ; radicle inferior ; cotyledons leafy. — Herbaceous ^ plants, with whorled leaves, destitute 

 of stipulcB ; square stems ; roots staining red ; flowers minute. 



Affinities. There can be little doubt that the inconspicuous weeds of 

 which this order is composed have as strong claims to be separated from Cin- 

 chonacese as that order from Apocynese or Caprifoliaceae. It is true that no 

 very positive characters are to be obtained from the fructification, but the want 

 is abundantly supplied by the square stems and verticillate leaves without sti- 

 pule, forming a kind of star, from which circumstance the name Stellatse is de- 

 rived. Properly speaking, the appellation Rubiaces should be confined to this 

 group, as it comprehends the genus Rubia ; but that name has been so gene- 

 rally applied to the larger mass now comprehended under the name of Cincho- 

 naceee, that I find it better to abolish the name Rubiaceae altogether. 



Geography. Natives of the northern parts of the northern hemisphere, 

 where they are extremely common weeds. 



Properties. First among them stands Madder, the root of Rubia tincto- 

 ria one of the most important dyes with which we are acquainted ; a quality 

 in which many other species of Stellate participate in a greater or less degree. 

 The roots of Rubia Manjista yield the Madder of Bengal, (Ainslie, 1. 203.) 

 The torrefied grains of Galium are said to be a good substitute for coffee. The 

 flowers of Galium verum are used to curdle milk. An infusion of Asperula 

 cynanchica has a little astringency, and has been used as a gargle. Asperula 

 odorata, or Woodruff, is remarkable for its fragrance when dried ; it passes for 

 a diuretic. Rubia noxa is said to be poisonous. Ed, Phil. Journ. 14. 207. 



Examples. Galium, Rubia, Asperula, Sherardia, Crucianella. 



CXC. CINCHONACE^E. The Cinchona Tribe. 



Rubiaceje, Juss. Gen. 196. (1789)>r the most part ; Ann. Mus. 10. 313. (1807); Mem. Mus. 

 6. 365. (1820) ; Diet, des Sciences, 46. 385. (1827). [Dec. Prod. 4. 341. (1830), with, the ex- 

 ception of Tribe xii.] — Opercularine-e, Juss. Ann. Mus. 4.418.(1804.) 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with an inferior ovarium, and op- 

 posite entire leaves, with intermediate stipule. 



Anomalies. Opercularia has but one cell and 1 seed, and the number of 

 stamens is incongruous with the lobes of the corolla. 



