SERIES C. [1. Pobtuiaca. 



F»m. 56. PORTULACACEJE. 

 1. Portulaca, L. 



Diffuse succulent herbs with alt., opp. or (below the 

 inflorescence) whorled leaves and small yellow (brilliantly 

 coloured in cult, species) solitary or clustered fls. Sep. (or 

 bracts ?) 2 connate below, the free part deciduous. Pet. 4-6 

 perigynous. St. 8-12 inserted with the petals. Ovary half- 

 inferior 1-celled. Style 3-8 fid. Ovules oc central. Cap- 

 sule transversely dehiscent. 



Two common herbs largely used as vegetables are 1. P. oleracea, 

 L. Dalia : , Ho. % Mota uric 'alang, 8. 6-12" high with alt. cuneate 

 truncate leaves i-\\" whorled above. 



2. P. quadrifida, L. Suni a : , Ho. Diffuse with ovate or ovate- 

 lanceolate opp. leaves H" and terminal solitary fla. 



The beautiful little garden plant known ad Portulaca is a Brazilian 

 species. 



Fam. 57. AMARANTACE^E. 



Herbs, rarely shrubs with opposite or alternate simple, 

 exstipulate leaves and small white or green, dry, regular 

 flowers in simple or panicled spikes, cymes or clusters, 

 some of the flowers frequently more or less rudimentary or 

 altered. Bracts and 2 bracteoles scarious. Perianth-lobes 

 inferior 5 free (rarely 1-3) persistent, hyaline or scarious 

 imbricate in bud. St. 1-5 opposite the lobes, sometimes 

 with alternating staminodes, filaments connate below. Anths. 

 1- or 2-celled. Ovary 1-celled ; styles 1-3 ; ovules 1 or 

 more, often amphitropous, basal with capillary funicle. Fruit 

 usually a utricle, rarely a berry or capsule, seated on or 

 inclosed in the perianth. Seed erect compressed, with 

 angular or horse-shoe-shaped embryo surrounding a mealy 

 albumen. 

 Ovules few or many. Bambling shrub with red berries . 1 . Deeringia . 



Ovale 1 erect. 



Herbs with alt. leaves and 1-sexual fls. . . . 2. Amarantu$. 

 Herb with alt. leaves and 2-sexual fla. 3. Bigera. 



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