COEOLLIFLOE^. 



571 



Fig. 951. 



superior, 5-parted. Corolla monopetalous, rotate, 5 — 8-parted, 

 imbricated. Sta^nens 2, epipetalous ; anthers sinuous, with longi- 

 tudinal dehiscence. Ovary inferior, 2-celled, surmounted by a 

 fleshy disk. Fruit a 2-celled, many-seeded capsule. Seeds with 

 fleshy albvimen. 



Distribution, ^c. — Natives of Mexico and Peru. It only con- 

 tains the genus Columellia, which includes 3 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Unknown. 



Natural Order 126. Valeeianacrs. — The Valerian Order 

 (Jig. 951). — Character. — Herbs, icows opposite, exstipulate. 

 Flowers cymose, hermaphrodite (figs. 478 and 

 479), or rarely unisexual. Calgx superior (Jig. 

 951, ca), with the limb obsolete, or membranous, 

 or pappose. Corolla monopetalous (Jigs. 478 and 

 479), tubular, imbricated, 3 — 6-lobed, regular or 

 irregular, sometimes spurred at the base (Jig. 

 479). Stamens 1 — 5, inserted upon the corolla 

 {figs. 478 and 479). Ovary inferior (figs. 478, 

 479, and 951), with 1 fertile cell, and usually 2 

 abortive or empty ones. Frv.it dry and inde- 

 hiscent, frequently pappose (fig. 450). Seed 

 solitary, pendulous, exalbuminous ; radicle supe- 

 rior. 



Distribution, ^c. — Chiefly natives of the tem- 

 perate parts of Europe, Asia, and America ; they 

 are rare in Africa. Examples of the Genera : — 

 Centranthus, Valeriana. There are about 180 

 species. 



Properties and Uses, — They are chiefly re- j'tg, 951. vertical 

 markable for the presence of a strong-scented ^^4'''^^^°'^ {^^ 

 volatile oil, which renders them stimulant, anti- °^^'"^' '""-^ 

 spasmodic, and tonic. Some are highly esteemed 

 in the East as perfumes, but they are not gene- 

 rally considered agreeable by Europ£ans. 



Nardostachys Jatamansi is commonly regarded as the Nardus indicus, the 

 true Spikenard of the ancients. It is mnch esteemed in India both as a 

 perfume, and as a remedial agent in epilepsy and hysteria. It is the Nard 

 of the Hebrews, and the Nardos of the Greeks. The root has been errone- 

 ously supposed to be the Sumbul of the shops (see Sumbul, p. 559). 



Valerianella cUtoria. — The young leaves are occasionally used as a salad, 

 both on the continent and in England. In France they are known under the 

 name of nmche, and in England by that of Lamb's Lettuce. 



Valeriana. — The root of V. offlclnalis is the officinal Valerian of the British 

 Pharmacopoeia. It is much employed as a nervous excitant and antispas- 

 modic. The roots of V. Dioscoridis, V. Phu, V. celtica, V. Hardidckii, V. 

 sitchensis, and other species, have similar properties. V. sitchensis is most 

 esteemed in Russia. 



Natural Order 127. Dipsacace^.— The Teazel Order (figs. 

 952 and 953). — Character. — Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves 

 opposite or verticillate, exstipulate. Flowers in dense heads 



Red A'alerian 

 (Ceiitranthus ru- 

 ber), ca. Calyx. 

 CO. Corolla, sty. 

 Style, ov. Ovule. 



