128. CERATOPHYLLACE.E. J. Cekatophyllum. 



tose with recurved subulate-setaceous scales -1" long and usually 

 8 in a Avhorl. ]Male spikes usually numerous at the ends of the same 

 branches on which the females kre borne lower down, -o-'O" long, 

 slender cylindric or slightly fusiform, bracts subulate with pubescent 

 margins. Fem. heads in flower only • 1-- 15" long, ellipsoid, terminating 

 short lateral branchlets beloAV the male branchlets. Fruiting head 

 •5—75" long having a general superficial resemblance to that of a 

 coniferous tree. 



Often planted but especially on tlie sandy soils of the Pari coast, where it is 

 rapidly becoming important. Fl. May. Fr. appears to ripen irregularly from 

 June onwards (possibly from flowers of previous year). 



Attains 6-7 ft, girth. The branches are dimorphous, those with the longer mter- 

 nodes being deciduous. Male anterior tepal scarious -02" long only, larger 'than 

 the posterior, si ightlv hooded over the young anther. Flowering female heads 

 tomentose, bracts subulate externally erect, with a broad horizontal base internally 

 which becomes woody in fruit but the rest of the bract remains unchanged and is 

 scarcely visible in friiit, stigmas exceeding the head, flexuous, bracteoles at first 

 minute in flower, finally -2.5" Ions', valvately closed till the seed is ripe and project- 

 ing as sharp-edged bosses. Seed with wing "IS" long. 



The plantation of Ca>tuari)ia at Pari was commenced in 191(> actually on the sea 

 shore. Already however numerous trees along the Orissa coast showed that the 

 locality, which is nearly pure sand, would grow Casuarina. At Kouarak on rocky 

 .soil trees said to have been planted in 1905 showed growth eciuivalent to 3" girth 

 per annum. Some plants of :ir, years old were about 2.>-3() ft. high. Large 

 Cagiuirina occur on the sea face in the Mahanadi delta, but although Ca^nariiia is 

 said to be native on the Chittagong coa.st. there is no evidence that it is native on 

 the Orissa coast and natural reproduction has not been observed. In South India 

 the growth is probably faster and the average age of felling is said to be 10 years. 

 Gamhh^ gives the weight as 50-(30 lbs. and says that it is hard and difficiilt to 

 work. 



FAM. 128. CERATOPHYLLACE^. 



Slender submerged water plants with whorled leaves 2-several-times 

 forked, segments filiform denticulate on the outer edges. Flowers 

 minute. Male and female axillary, on the same plant, usually solitary 

 and irregularly scattered, rarely 2 males in one Avhorl. Perianth (or 

 involucre) of 6-12 narrow subvalvate appendaged (or 2-fid) segments 

 usually pale in the M., green in the Fem. Stamens in the ]\I. 12-30 

 on the convex receptacle, with very short thick filaments and erect 

 extrorse 2-celled anthers, connective truncate or 2-3-toothed at the 

 top. Ovary in the Fem. of 1 ovoid carpel, 1 -celled, with a subulate 

 style stigmatic on one side and a solitary pendulous straight ovule. 

 Fruit a small coriaceous ovoid or ellipsoid somewhat compressed nut 

 terminating in the elongate subulate persistent style, often also with 

 two sub-basal styliform appendages. Seed Avith scanty albumen. 

 Embryo with 2 straight cotyledons, the first 2 leaves of the plumule 

 decussate Avith them, radicle very short inferior. 



Noi'K.— This family appears to have afhnities with tlie Raiiales. There is only 

 one genus. 



1. CERATOPHYLLUM, L. 

 1. C. demersum, L. 



A water weed superficially like a submerged Mi/riojjhyllum, collapsing 

 in a tassel when removed from the water, G" to 3 ft. long, densely 



S-il 



