722 Plumbaginaceae. 
85. Plumbaginaceae. 
Calyx tubular, often enlarged and scarious or petal-like at the 
top, with 5 prominent ribs usually ending in as many teeth. Corolla 
regular, of 5 petals, free or more or less united, contorted-imbricate 
in the bud. Stamens 5, inserted at the base of the corolla or 
petals, opposite to them, and often more or less adnate to them; 
anthers versatile, 2-celled, the cells opening in longitudinal slits. 
Ovary 1-celled, with 1 ovule suspended from a filiform placenta 
erect from the base. Styles 5, distinct or united at the base. 
Capsule 1-seeded, indehiscent or opening irregularly. Seeds solitary ; 
testa thin; albumen rarely abundant, usually scanty er none; em- 
bryo straight, radicle superior. — Herbs or rarely undershrubs or 
shrubs. Leaves radical or alternate, entire or lobed. Flowers in 
terminal heads spikes or panicles. 
A small family extending over the greater parts of the world. 
A. Styles free from the base or above. Fruit rupturing 
at the base or opening by a lid. 
I. Calyx 5-nerved. Styles glabrous. Stigmas 
filiform A sew Liye, 12 Se Pe Pe is Posie Wye es Fle sees 
II. Calyx nerveless. Styles glabrous. Stigmas 
MULOTM Ty, eat eh: Vege he ens . 2. Limoniastrum. 
B. Styles connate to the tip. Fruit dehiscent by 
valves sat the Dase. . <\.« « els sMelshe. seis on eluimpasas 
412. (1.) Statice Linn. 
Calyx more or less expanded at the top into a dry, mem- 
branous, coloured and slightly 5-lobed limb, each lobe traversed by 
a green or dark nerve. Petals slightly united at the base. Styles 
free, ending in linear-terete stigmas. Fruit included in the calyx. 
Seed more or less albuminous. — Herbs or rarely undershrubs. 
Leaves usually radical. Flowers solitary or 2 or 3 together in little 
spikelets, forming one-sided spikes, arranged in dichotomous or 
trichotomous panicles, or rarely in simple spikes. 
The largest genus of the Order, ranging chiefly over maritime districts 
in the northern hemisphere, with very few southern species. 
A. Petals free or only connate at the base. 
I. Floral branches 2—3-auricled, obpyramidal. 
Calyx-insertion erect, limb broad, plaited. Leaves 
sinuate to pinnatifid, rosetted ........ 1. §. Thouini 
II. Branches terete or angled. Calyx-insertion ob- 
lique. Peremial herbs. 
