708 ALISMACEX.—JUNCAGINACEA. 
and was at one time used in medicine. The roasted rhizomes 
are edible. 
Order 2. AtismAcEs, the Alisma Order.—Character.— 
Swamp or floating plants. Leaves narrow or with an expanded 
lamina, parallel-veined. Flowers hermaphrodite (figs. 1068 and 
1069) or very rarely unisexual. Perianth inferior, arranged in 
two whorls, each consisting of three parts (jig. 1068); the 
outer whorl herbaceous, the inner coloured. Stamens few 
or numerous ; anthers introrse. Carpels distinct, several (fig. 
1068) ; ovaries superior, 1-celled ; ovules solitary or 2 superposed ; 
placentas axile or basal (fig. 1069). Fruit dry. Seeds without 
albumen ; embryo undivided, curved. 
Fia. 1068. Fre. 1069. 
Fig. 1068. Flower of aspecies of Alisma, with an inferior perianth arranged 
in two whorls each consisting of three parts, six stamens, and numerous 
separate carpels. Fig. 1069. Vertical section of the same flower. 
Distribution and Numbers.—These plants are principally 
found in the northern parts of the world. Illustrative Genera: 
Alisma, Juss. ; Actinocarpus, fh. Br. There are about 50 species. 
Properties and Uses.—Of little importance. Many have 
fleshy or mealy rhizomes, which are edible when cooked. Others 
possess astringent properties. Alisma Plantago had formerly a 
reputation as a remedy in hydrophobia. 
Order 3. JUNCAGINACES, the Arrow-grass Order.—Cha- 
racter.—Herbs, growing in marshes. Leaves with parallel 
veins. Flowers hermaphrodite, whitish or greenish. Perianth 
small, more or less scaly, inferior, in two whorls, each containing 
three pieces. Stamens 6, perigynous, anthers usually extrorse. 
Carpels 3—6, separate or more or less united ; ovules 1—2. 
Fruit dry, ultimately separating into as many parts as there are 
carpels. Seeds attached to axile or basal placentas, exalbuminous ; 
embryo straight, with a lateral cleft (figs. 766 and 777). This 
order is included by Bentham and Hooker in Naiadacex. 
Distribution and Numbers.—The plants of this order are 
found more or less in nearly all parts of the world, but are 
