SAXIFIJAOACr.i:. (SAXIFUAGE FAMILY.) 151 



3. PENTHORUM, Gronov. 



Sepals 5. Petals 5, often wanting. Stamens 10. Carpels 5, united into a 

 5-cellccl capsule, spreading at the summit, which falls away at maturity. Seeds 

 numerous. — Perennial (not fleshy) herbs, with alternate serrate leaves, and 

 yellowish flowers on one side of the rcvolutc branches of the simple cyme. 



1- P. sedoides, L. Stem erect, l°-2° high; leaves lanceolate; petals 

 commonly nunc. — Ditches and muddy places, common. July- Sept. 



Ordkr G4. SAXIFRAGACEiE. (Saxifrage Family.) 



Calyx of 4 - 5 more or less united sepals, free, or more or less adherent 

 to the ovary, persistent. Petals as many as the sepals, rarely wanting. 

 Stamens as many, or 2 - 4 times as many, inserted with the petals on the 

 calyx. Ovaries 2 or sometimes 3-4, commonly united below, and sepa- 

 rate at the summit. Seeds few - many. Embryo straight, iu the axis of 



fleshy albumen. 



Synopsis. 



Suborder I. SAXIFRAGE^E. Herbs. Petals imbricated in the 

 bud. Stipules adnate to the petiole, or none. 



• Stamens as many as the sepals. 



1. LEPUROPETALOX. Styles 3. Capsule 1-celled. beakless. 



2. IIEUCIIEIIA. Styles 2. Capsule 1-celled. 2-beaked. 



3. BOYKIXIA.. Styles 2. Capsule 2-celled, 2-beaked. 



» « Stamens twice as many as the sepals. 

 — Capsule 2-celled. 



4. SAXIFRAG.\.. Flowers perfect. Stamens 10. Leaves entire or lobed. 



5- ASTILBE. Flowers polygamous. Stamens 10. Leaves ternately compound. 

 .»- ■*- Capsule 1 celled. 



6. TIARELLA. Stamens 10. Petals 5 entire. 



7. MITELLA. Stamens 10 Petals 5 pinnatifid. 



8. CHRYSOSPLENIUM. Stamens 8 - 10. Petals none. 



Suborder IT. ESCALLONIE^F. Shrubs. Petals valvate in the 

 bud. Stipules none. Leaves alternate. 



9. ITEA. Stamens and petals 5- Flowers in a dense raceme. 



Suborder III. IIYDRAXGIE.E. Shrubs. Petals valvate or con- 

 volute in the bud. Leaves opposite. Stipules none. 



10. HYDRANGEA. Petals valvate. Stamens 8 - 10. Styles distinct. 



11. DECU.M.\KI.\. Petals valvate. Stamens 20 or more Styles united 



12. PIIILADELPUUS. Petals convolute. Stamens 20 or more. Styles 4. Capsule 4-valved- 



1. LEPUROPETALON, Ell. 



Calyx-tube turbinate, cohering with the lower portion of the ovary, 5-parted. 

 Petals 5, minute, spatulate. Stamens 5, very short. Styles 3. Capsule globu- 



