72 4- GNETACEAE — 5. TYPHACEAE 



a 4-partite perianth, 6 stamens with 3-celled anthers, and a rudimentary 

 ovule. Ovule with a single coat. — Species i ; German South-west 

 Africa and Angola. {Tumboa Welw.) [Subfamily WELWITSCHIOI- 

 DEAE.] Welwitschia Hook. fil. 



Stem shrubby or twining. Leaves numerous, not very large. Male 

 flowers consisting of a 2-partite or a tubular, undivided perianth and 

 2 — 8 stamens with i — 2-celled anthers, without rudimentary ovules, 

 but sometimes accompanied by sterile female flowers 2 



2. Leaves large, with a short foot -stalk, lanceolate oblong elliptical or oval, 

 penninerved. Stem climbing. Flowers in spikes or panicles, the male 

 consisting of a tubular, undivided perianth and 2 stamens with i-celled 

 anthers. Ovule with two coats. — Species 2. West Africa. The 

 young leaves are used as a vegetable. [Subfamilj' GNETOIDEAE.] 



Gnetum L. 



Leaves scale-like. Male flowers in spikes or panicles, female solitary or 

 in pairs. Male flowers consisting of a 2-partite perianth and 2 — 8 

 stamens with 2-celled anthers. Ovule with a single coat exceeding the 

 perianth. — Species 5. North Africa and northern Central Africa. 

 The fruits of some species are eaten or used in medicine. [Subfamily 

 EPHEDROIDEAE.] Ephedra L. 



SUBDIVISION ANGIOSPERMAE 



CLASS IV. MONOCOTYLEDONEAE 



ORDER PANDANALES 



FAMILY 5. TYPHACEAE 



Aquatic or marsh herbs with a creeping root-stock and simple stems. Leaves 

 in two ranks, linear. Inflorescences spadix-like, cylindrical, superposed, 

 interrupted by bracts, the lower female, the upper male. Flowers unisexual, 

 without a perianth, but usually surrounded by hairs. Stamens 2 — 7 ; con- 

 nective thickened ; anthers opening lengthwise by two slits. Ovary i-celled. 

 Ovule I, pendulous, inverted. Style and stigma simple. Fruit tardily de- 

 hiscent. Seed with abundant albumen and a long, axile embryo. 



Genus i, species 4. They are used as ornamental plants and in medicine, 

 and yield potash and also materials for plaiting and stuffing and for the 

 manufacture of paper and felt. The root-stock and the pollen are 

 edible. " Reedmace." Typha Tourn 



