RANUNCULACE^. 293 



OrderLI. RANUNCULACE/E. 



L. Gerard, Flora Gallo-Proviucialis, 378 (1761) : A. L. tie Jussieu, Mem. 

 Acad. Paris, 214 (1773). 



Herbs (our species of Ciernal.itis shrubby) with colorless acrid juice. 

 Leaves alternate (opposite in Cleinalilis; the cauline ones whorled in 

 Jm'iinDie), usually lobed or ternately divided, the petiole dilated at base 

 and more or less clasping the stem, seldom stipulate. Inflorescence 

 various. Sepals usually 5 (3 — 6), deciduous (in Fceonia persistent). Sta- 

 mens GO, hypogynous (in Pceonia perigynous); anthers adnate, extrorse, 

 opening by slits. Pistils 1 — oo, simple, becoming achenes or follicles 

 (in Actn'a berry-like fruits). Seeds with horny albumen and minute 

 embryo. — A varied, rather large, and interesting order, furnishing many 

 ornamental and several important medicinal plants. The affinities of the 

 family seem to be many; it being at several points in close contact with 

 Rosacefe; at others indistinguishable from Berberidese except by the 

 rimose dehiscence of the anthers; while the analogies of habit and some 

 essentials of vegetative character link it as closely as possible to the 

 Umbelliferje; moreover, some authors have found it difficult to draw the 

 line between these plants and some Papaverace;e. 



Hints of tlie <>eiiera. 



Fruit a liead or spike of achenes; 



Flowers complete, ------.--. 3 4, 5 



" incomplete, the petals wanting; 



Sepals sreen and inconspicnous. ----- 13 



" petaloid, - - - - - - - - -1, 2 



Fruit of 3 or more follicles; 



Flowers irregular, ----------- (57 



" regular; 



Petals tubular and spur-like, -----. 12 



" rounded and concave, --. -. ..y 

 " narrow and elongated, - - . ... jj 



" none; sepals petaloid, . - . . . 9 jo^ j^ 



Fruit many-seeded but berry-like, ------....15 



1. CLEMATITIS, Dioscorides. Half woody, climbing by the tortuous 

 petioles of the compound leaves which are opposite, with clustered or 

 solitary flowers in the axils. Sepals 4, petaloid, valvate in bud. Petals 

 inconspicuous or 0. Pistils oo ; styles persistent, becoming feathery 

 appendages of the large compressed and capitate-clustered achenes. 

 * So7ne of the outer filaments sterile and dilated into petals. — 

 Old genus Atragene. 



1. C. verticillaris, DC. Syst. i. 166 (1818). Atragene Americana, 

 Sims, Bot. Mag. t. 887 (1806). Slender, nearly glabrous, leaves ternate; 

 the petiolulate leaflets ovate or subcordate, acute : fl. solitary, nodding, 

 on a peduncle equalling the petiole of the leaves, 2-3 in. broad, bluish- 



