Classification of Plants 



301 



falling apart, each carries a single seed. A twiggy half shrub, 

 3 feet or more high. 



II. 



Fig, 272. — I. Tetradynamous stamens and pistil of Brassica nigra: a, 

 shorter, ^, longer stamens. II. Floral diagram. (From Edmonds and Mar- 

 loth's '* Elementary Botany for South Africa ".) 



Brassica is a genus of common garden plants. They are interesting 

 in showing how one group of plants can, when cultivated, develop along 

 different lines ; the Cabbage stores its food in the leaves ; Brussels Sprouts 

 in lateral branches. Cauliflower in the inflorescence. Mustard is cultivated 

 for its seed. 



Order Capparide^. 



This order resembles the Cruciferae in the 4 sepals in 

 2 whorls, 4 petals. The stamens are sometimes 6 as in 

 Cruciferse, but vary from 4 to many. The ovary is formed 

 of 2 carpels meeting at their edges with parietal placentation, 

 but there is no false partition or replum. The order may be 

 recognized by the long stalk or gynophore which extends the 

 ovary beyond the perianth. The stamens also may be raised 

 on the stalk. Herbs, shrubs, or trees with simple or compound 

 leaves, often with sticky hairs. Fruit a capsule or berry. 



A. Fruit a capsule — 



Gynandropsis. — Stamens 6. Capsule pod-like, i -celled, 

 many-seeded. The stem axis is lengthened between the petals 

 and stamens, and also between the stamens and ovary. Herbs 

 with compound leaves, the upper sessile, the lower on long stalks. 



