606 PLUMBAGINACEA. 
Distribution and Numbers. — Natives of Australia, the 
Indian Archipelago, and the South Sea Islands, where they 
are very abundant. Lllustrative Genera :—Astroloma, R. Br. ; 
Epacris, Smith. There are about 350 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Of little importance except for the 
beauty of their flowers, on which account they are much culti- 
vated. The fruits of many species are edible, as those of Astrc- 
loma humifusum, the Tasmanian Cranberry ; Lewcopogon Richei, 
the Native Currant of Australia ; Lissanthe sapida, and others. 
Cohort 2. Primulales.—Stamens generally epipetalous; equal 
in number to, and opposite, the lobes of the corolla or 
separate petals. Ovary 1-celled, with a free central placenta 
and numerous ovules; or with a solitary ovule suspended 
from a long funiculus arising from the centre of the cell at 
the base. 
Order 1. PitumBaGINACEs, the Thrift Order.—Character. 
Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves entire, alternate or radical, ex- 
stipulate. Flowers regular (fig. 995). Calyx tubular, plaited, 
persistent, 5-partite (fig. 995). _ Corolla (fig. 995) membranous, 
5-partite or of 5 petals, or rarely absent. Stamens (figs. 995 
Fic. 996. 
Fic. 995. 
Fig. 995. Diagram of the 
flower of a species of 
Plumbago. Fig. 996. 
Essential organs of the 
same. 
and 996) 5, opposite the petals, to which they are attached 
when the corolla is polypetalous, and hypogynous and. opposite 
to the divisions of the corolla when this is monopetalous (jig. 
995). Ovary 1-celled (figs. 687 and 995); ovule solitary, sus- 
pended from a long funiculus arising from the base of the cell 
(fig. 637) ; styles (fig. 996) usually 5, sometimes 3 or 4. Fruit 
utricular, or dehiscing by valves at the apex. Seed solitary ; 
embryo straight ; albumen mealy, and small in quantity. 
