740 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



corolla 4-lobed, hypogjnous; stamens 4 or 2 or only 1, inserted on the throat 

 or tube of the corolla; ovary 1-2 celled, or falsely 3-4-cclled, sessile; ovule 1, 

 several ovules in each cavity; fruit a pyxis, circumscissile, at or below the 

 middle or a nutlet. 



3 genera, 2 native to North America, and more than 200 species, of wide 

 distribution. None of the plants are of any economic importance. The seeds 

 of several species {Plantago major and Planiago RugelH) are used to feed 

 birds. The P. ovata is used in France as a salad. The seeds of P. arenaria 

 of Europe and P. indica are used for sizing in the manufacture of muslin. All 

 of the seeds of the genus have a mucilaginous testa. 



Fig. 430. Hardy Cafalpa {Catalfa spcciosa). 1, Panicle of flowers. 

 2, Longitudinal section of flower. 3, Single fruit. 4, Seed. 5, Longi- 

 tninal section of seed. All one-lialf natural size. (M. M. Cheney in 

 Green's Forestry in Minnesota). 



RUBIALES 



Leaves opposite or whorlcd ; flowers with gamopctalons corolla, separate 

 anthers; stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla and alternate with thein 



