207 



power of rooting in the wood of other plants, at whose expense they live. The 

 habits of the common Misletoe give an idea of those of all, except that in the 

 genus Loranthus the corolla is tubular and usually richly coloured with scarlet. 

 Examples. Loranthus, Viscum. 



CXCIII. POTALIACEiE. 



PoTALiiiiE, Martius N. G. et Sp. 2, 91. and 133. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with a superior simple ovarium, 

 regular flowers, peltate sessile seeds, and a corolla with contorted convolute 

 segments which are unequal to the number of lobes of the calyx. 



Anomalies. 



Essential CHARACTER.^-Catyr inferior, with 4, 5, or 6 partitions. Corolla regular, with" 

 from 5 to 10 divisions, which are therefore not symmetrical with the segments of the calyx ; 

 the aestivation contorted, convolute. Stamens arising from the corolla, all upon the same line ; 

 pollen simple, elliptical. Ovarium superior; style continuous; sligm a simple. Fruit succu- 

 lent, with from 2 to 4 cells, and central placentae. Seeds numerous, peltate ; testa double ; 

 embryo supposed by Von Martius to be hetcrotropous (that is, to have its radicle not turned to- 

 wards the hilum), lying in cartilaginous albumen. — Trees or shrubs, quite smooth. Leaves 

 opposite, entire, united by interpetiolar sheathing stipulae. Mowers terminal, with bracteaj 

 in panicles or corymbs. 



Affinities. According to Von Martius, this lies between Loganiea: and 

 Apocynea?. Its chief characteristics are the inequality of the segments of the 

 calyx and corolla and the stamens, and a 4-lobed placenta, which produces in 

 Fagraea obovata, according to Dr. Wallich, a 4- celled berry. With that part 

 of Apocyneaa to which Strychnos belongs they very nearly agree, differing prin- 

 cipally in the above-mentioned character, the aestivation of the calyx, and the 

 embryo not being foliaceous, agreeing in their peltate seeds and corneous albu- 

 men. 



Geography. Natives of the tropics of Africa, America, and India. 



Properties. An infusion of the leaves of Potalia resinifera is slightly mu- 

 cilaginous and astringent, and is used in Brazil as a lotion for inflamed eyes. 

 Von Martius, 2. 90. Potalia amara is bitter like the Gentians, and acrid and 

 emetic like Apocyneae. Dec. Prodr. J\l£d. 217. 



Examples. Potalia, Fagraea, Anthocleista. 



CXCIV. LOGANIACE.E. 



Loganieje, R. Brown in Flinders, (1814) ; Von Martius N. Gen. et Sp. PL 2. 133. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with regular flowers, a superior 

 2-celled ovarium, convolute corolla, and opposite leaves with interpetiolar sti- 

 pules. 



Anomalies. Stipulae absent in some Loganias. 



Essential Character. — Calyx inferior, 5-parted. Corolla regular or irregular, with con- 

 volute aestivation. Stamens arising from the corolla, all placed upon the same line, 5 or 1 

 therefore not always symmetrical with the divisions of the corolla; pollen with 3 bands. Ova- 



