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GERANIACEM. 



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24. Natural Order, Geraniacecc. — The Geranium, Sorrel, 

 and Balsam Family. 



Herbs with opposite or alternate, simple or compound 

 leaves. Flowers regular or irregular, usually two or more 

 on axillary peduncles. 



Type — Any garden Geranium {Pelargoniuvi) 

 Usually glandular-pubescent herbs, with opposite, lobed, 

 palmi-veined leaves, and umbellate, slightly irregular, hand- 

 some flowers. 



As Sub-types may be taken : — 



1. Indian Cress {Tropceolum majus), a climbing or pros 

 trate, succulent, garden herb, with alternate, peltate leaves, 

 and irregular, orange-coloured, octandrous flowers, with the 

 posterior sepal spurred, 



2. Sorrel {Oxalis), any species. Herbs with trifoliolate 

 or pinnate leaves, and regular, decandrous flowers. 



3. Balsam {Impatiens), any species. Succulent or tender 

 herbs, with alternate or opposite simple leaves, and very 

 irregular flowers, usually with three coloured sepals, of which 

 the posterior is spurred, three petals,* and five stamens. 



* Two are bifid, indicating that we have really five petals, of which 

 four cohere in pairs. 



