594 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



deciduous. Stamens 5 (Jig. 966), alternate with the lobes of the 

 corolla; filaments usually combined so as to form a tube round 

 the pistil {fig. 967), sometimes distinct; '^pollen when the anther 

 dehisces, cohering in masses {fig. 551,/>), and sticking to 5 

 processes of the stigma {fig. 551, /?) by twos, or fours, or singly. " 

 Ovary {fig. 966) formed of 2 carpels, which are more or less 

 adherent below, but distinct above; styles 2; stigmas united 

 and expanded into a fleshy 5- cornered head, the pollen masses 

 adhering to gelatinous processes arising from its angles {figs. 

 551 and 967). Fruit consisting of 2 follicles, or 1 by abortion. 



Fig. 967. 



Fig. 968. 



Fig. 966 



Fig. 960. Diagram of the flower o{ Asclepias nivea Ftg. 96". Flower of a 



species of Asdepius, witli tlie united stamens around tlie pistil, p. Corolla. 



■ a. Appendages of the stamens Fig. 968. One of tlie stamens of the 



above removed. /. Filament, a. Anther, p. Horn-like staminal appendage. 



Seeds numerous, generally comose {fig. 732), with thin albumen. 

 This order is at once distinguished amongst the Epipetalie, by its 

 curiously formed stigma, and adhering pollen masses. 



Distribution, !^c. — They are chiefly tropical plants, abound- 

 ing in southern Africa, India, and equinoctial America. Ex- 

 amples : — Ilemidesmus, Secamone, Solenostemma, Calotropis, 

 Asclepias, Matelia, Hoya, Stapclia. There arc 157 genera, and 

 about 930 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order are chiefly 

 remarkable for their bitter acrid juice, which renders them 

 stimulating, emetic, purgative, and diaphoretic. The milky 

 juice of many species contains caoutchouc. Some are edible, 

 as the roots of Gomphocarpus pedunculatus, and the tubers of 

 Ceropegia Vignaldiana, ^c. 



Ilrmidcsmiix indicus The roots are known under the names of Indian, 



scented, or counlry sarsapariUa, and have been also imported into this 

 coinitry under the name of Smilax aspera, from an erroneous idea of their 

 beiuK obtained fiom that plant. They are supposed by some to be a cheap 

 and ellicient substitute lor true sarsapariUa, which they resemble in their pro- 

 I^erties. 



