552 



SYSTEMATIC BOTAKY. 



Fig. 938. 



Distrihntion, cf-<7. — They are priucipally natives of tropical re- 

 gions in all parts of the world, but a few are also extra-tropical, 

 being found in North America, China, Australia, and in the north- 

 ern provinces of India. Examples of the Genera: — Melastonia, 

 Osbeckia, Medinilla, Memecylon. There are about 2,000 

 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The prevailing character of this order is 

 a slight degree of astringeney. Many produce edible fruits, and 

 some are used for dyeing black and other colours. The name 

 Melastoma is derived from the fruits of the species dyeing the 

 mouth black. The leaves of Memecylon tinctorium are used in 

 some parts of India for dyeing yellow, &c. Generally speaking, 

 the plants possess but little interest in a medical or economical 

 point of view, but none are unwholesome. A number of species 

 are cultivated in this country on account of the beauty of their 

 flowers. 



Natural Order 112. Oxagrack.^3. — TheEveningPrimrose Order 

 {fig. 938). — Character. — Hprbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate or 

 opposite, simple, exstipulate, without dots. Calyx 

 {fig. 938) superior, tubular, with the limbxisually 

 4-lobed, or sometimes 2-lobed {fig. 768) ; in 

 pestivation valvate. Petals usually lai'ge and 

 showy, generally regular and equal in number to 

 the divisions of the calyx {figs. 768 and 938), 

 twisted in aestivation, and inserted into the tliroat 

 of the calyx, rarely absent. Stamens {figs. 768 

 and 938) definite, 2. 4, or 8, or rarely by abortion 

 1, inserted with the petals into the throat of the 

 calyx; filaments distinct; pollen trigonal {figs. 

 5-59 and 561). Ovary inferior {fig. 938), 2—4- 

 celled ; placentas axile ; style 1, filiform; stigma 

 lobed or capitate. Fruit capsular, or succulent 

 and indehiscent, 1, 2, or 4-celled. Seeds nume- 

 rous, without albumen ; emhryo straight. 



Diagnosis. — Herbs or shrubs, with simple ex- 

 stipulate dotless leaves. Calyx superior, 2 — 4- 

 lobed, valvate in sestivation. Petals usually 

 equal in number to the lobes of the calyx, with a 

 twisted aestivation, or rai-ely absent. Stamens 

 few, insei'ted into tlie tliroat of the calyx with 

 ^'=eSi7orSe *^^® petals. Ovary inferior, 2— 4-celled; style 

 simple; stigma lobed or capitate. Fruit dehis- 

 cent or indehiscent. Seeds numerous, without 

 albumen. 



Distribution ^-c. — Chiefly natives of the temperate parts of 

 North America and Europe; man}' are also found in India, but 

 they are rare in Africa, except at the Cape. Examioles of the 



section 

 flower of aWil- 

 Idw-hrrb (,Epi- 

 lobium). 



