COROLLIFLOR^. 



569 



or irregular, rarely poljpetalous. Stamens {fig. 943), 4—5, 

 inserted on the corolla, and alternate ^yith its lobes Ovary in- 



Fig. 942. 



Fig. 943. 



Fig. 944. 



Fig- 942. Pistil of the Common Elder (Samhucus nigra), surrounded by a 



superior 5-lobed calyx. Fig. 943. Entire flower of the Elder. Fig. 



944. Vertical section of the seed. 



ferior {figs. 942 and 943), 1 — 5-celled, nsually 3-celled, often 

 with 1 ovule in one cell, and several in the others; style 1, or 

 none {fig. 943); stigmas 1 — 3 {fig. 943), or 5. Fruit inde- 

 hiscent, 1 or more celled, dry or succulent, and crowned by the 

 persistent calycine lobes. Seeds sohtary or numerous ; embryo 

 small {fig. 944), in fleshy albumen. 



Diagnosis. — Shrubs or herbs, with opposite exstipulate leaves. 

 Calyx superior, 4 — 5-cleft, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, 

 and bearing commonly as many stamens as it has lobes, to 

 which they are alternate, regular or iiTcgular. Ovary inferior, 

 1— 5-celled. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds with fleshy albumen. 



Distribution, ^c. — Chiefly natives of the northern parts of 

 Europe, Asia, and America. They are rare in the southern 

 hemisphere. Examples : — Linnsa, Sy mphoricarpus, Leycesteria, 

 Caprifohum, Lonicera, Viburnum, Sambucus. There are 16 

 genera, and about 220 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order have frequently 

 showy flowers, which are also commonly sweet-scented; hence 

 many are cultivated in our gardens and shrubberies, as Honey- 

 suckles, which are species of Caprifolium and Lonicera ; Guelder 

 Eoses {Viburnum species), Laurustinus {Viburnum Tinus), 

 Snowberry {Sy mphoricarpus racemosus), &c. Some are emetics 

 and mild purgatives ; others are astringent; others sudorific and 

 diuretic; and some are acrid. 



Triosteum perfoUatum is a mild purgative and emetic. Its roasted seeds 

 have been used as a substitute for coffee. 



Viburnum — V. Lantana. the Mealy Guelder-rose, or Wayfaring Tree, has 

 a very acrid inner bark. It is sometimes considered as a vesicant. V. Opulus, 

 the Guelder-rose, is commonly regarded as emetic and cathartic. V. cas- 

 sinoides — The leaves of this plant, mixed with those of Frinos glaber (Aqui- 



