HYDROPHYLLACEZ.—BORAGINACEZ. 623 
Genera :—Hydrophyllum, Tourn. ; Nemophila, Bart. There 
are about 80 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Unimportant, except as showy garden 
plants. 
Eriodictyon californicum, Benth., has a reputation among the Spaniards 
and Indians of California as a remedy for consumption ; and is hence known 
as the Consumptive weed. It has been recommended in the United States 
as a remedy for pulmonary and bronchial affections. 
Order 5. BoraGINAcE®, the Borage Order.—Character.— 
Herbs or rarely shrubs, with more or less rounded, usually rough 
and hairy stems. Leaves (fig. 440) alternate, entire, or rarely 
sinuated, usually rough, exstipulate. Inflorescence scorpioid 
(figs. 439 —442). Flowers regular, symmetrical (jiy. 1009). 
Calyx (figs. 1008 and 1009) persistent, inferior, 4 —5-partite, 
or -lobed. Corolla (figs. 482, p, and 1009) regular or nearly 
so, 4—5-partite, usually with scales in its throat (fig. 482, 7) ; 
zstivation imbricate. Stamens (fig. 1009) equal in number 
Fic. 1008. Fic. 1009, 
Fig. 1008. Vertical sec- : 
tion of the fruit of a J (PE) 2 
species of Myosotis. Two 
achezenia are seen, and 
two have been removed, 
— Fig. 1009. Diagram 
of the flower of the ™ l 
Comfrey (Symphytum CO f 
officinale). yy 
to the lobes of the corolla and alternate with them. Ovary 
superior, and composed of two carpels, each of which is 2- 
lobed and 2-celled (jig. 1009), with a solitary pendulous ovule 
in each cell ; style 1 (fig. 610, d), basilar ; stigma siraple or bifid. 
Fruit consisting of from 2—4 distinct achzwnia, placed at the 
bottom of the persistent calyx (jigs. 701 and 1008). Seeds ex- 
albuminous ; embryo straight, with a superior radicle. 
Diagnosis. —Herbs with rounded, usually rough stems, and 
alternate exstipulate leaves. Inflorescence scorpioid. Flowers 
regular and perfect. Calyx, corolla, and stamens equal in 
number, the latter being alternate with the divisions of the 
corolla. Ovary superior, deeply 4-lobed, with one ovule in each 
lobe ; style 1, basilar. Fruit composed of 2—4 achzenia placed 
at the bottom of the persistent calyx. Seeds exalbuminous. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Chiefly natives of temperate 
regions in the northern hemisphere. TIlustrative Genera :— 
Kehium, Linn. ; Borago, Tourn. ; Cynoglossum, Linn. There 
are nearly 700 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order are chiefly 
