482 SAURURACEAE. 
Sub-class 2. DICOTYLEDONES. 
Embryo of the seed with two cotyledons (in a few genera one only, as in 
Cyclamen, Pinguicula and some species of Capnoides), the first leaves of the 
germinating plantlet opposite. Stem exogenous, of pith, wood and bark (endo- 
genous in structure in Nymphaeaceae), the wood in one or more layers sur- 
rounding the pith, traversed by medullary rays and covered by the bark. 
Leaves usually pinnately or palmately veined, the veinlets forming a network. 
Parts of the flower rarely in 3’s or 6’s. 
Dicotyledonous plants are first definitely known in Cretaceous time. They constitute between 
two-thirds and three-fourths of the living angiospermous flora. 
Series 1. Choripétalae. 
Petals separate and distinct from each other, or wanting. 
The series is also known as Archichlamideae, and-comprises most of the families formerly 
grouped under Apetalae (without petals) and Polypetalae (with separate petals). Exceptions to 
the typical feature of separate petals are found in the Leguminosae, in which the two lower petals 
are more or less united; in the Fumariaceae, where the two inner petals or all four of them are 
sometimes coherent; the Polygalaceae, in which the three petals are united with each other, and 
with me stamens; Ovalis in Geraniaceae; and Ilicaceae, whose five petals are sometimes joined 
at the base. 
Family 1. SAURURACEAE Lindl. Nat. Syst. Ed. 2, 184.. 1836. 
LIZARD’S TAIL FAMILY. ‘ 
Perennial herbs with broad entire alternate petioled leaves, and small perfect 
incomplete bracteolate flowers, in peduncled spikes. Perianth none. Stamens 
6-8, or sometimes fewer, hypogynous; anthers 2-celled, the sacs longitudinally 
dehiscent. Ovary 3-4-carpelled, the carpels distinct or united, 1-2-ovuled; 
ovules orthotropous. Fruit capsular or berry-like, composed of 3-4 mostly in- 
dehiscent carpels. Seeds globose or ovoid, the testa membranaceous. Endo- 
sperm copious, mealy. Embryo minute, cordate, borne in a small sac near the 
end of the endosperm. 
Three genera and 4 species, natives of North America and Asia. The family differs from 
the Piperaceae in having more than one carpel to the ovary. It is represented in North America 
by the following and by Axemopsis, occurring in California and Arizona. 
1 VON SONSONSS I, Spo, IG eye, tere. 
Marsh herbs, with slender rootstocks, jointed stems and cordate leaves, their petioles 
sheathing the stem at the nodes, and small white flowers, in 1 or 2 dense elongated spikes 
opposite the leaves. Bractlets adnate to the flowers or to their minute pedicels. Stamens 
6-8. Filaments filiform, distinct. Carpels united at the base. Styles as many as the car- 
pels, recurved, stigmatic along the inner side. Fruit rugose, depressed-globose, separating 
into 3 or 4 one-seeded carpels. [Name Greek, meaning the tail of a lizard, in allusion to the 
long slender spike. ] 
Two species, the following of eastern North America, the other of eastern Asia. 
1. Saururus cérnuus lL. Lizard’s-tail. 
(Fig. 1148.) 
Saururus cernuus I, Sp. Pl. 341. 1753- 
Somewhat pubescent when young, becoming 
glabrous, stem rather: slender, erect, sparingly 
branched, 2°-5° high. Leaves ovate, thin, pal- 
mately 5-9-ribbed and with a pair of strong ribs 
above, which run nearly to the apex, dark green, 
entire, deeply cordate at the base, acuminate, 
3/-6’ long, 2’-314’ wide; petioles stout, shorter 
than the blades, striate; spikes few, very dense, 
longer than their peduncles, 4’—6’ long, the apex 
drooping in flower; flowers fragrant; stamens 
white, spreading, about 2’ long; fruit slightly 
fleshy, 1%’’ in diameter, strongly wrinkled 
when dry. 
In swamps and shallow water, Connecticut to 
Florida, west to southern Ontario, Minnesota and 
Texas. June-Aug. 
