COEOLLIFLOK^. 



605 



Calyx tubular, plaited persistent, 5-partite {fig. 987). Corolla 

 {fig. 987) membranous, 5-partite, or of 5 petals. Stam(7is {figs. 

 623, 987 and 988) 5, opposite the petals, to which they are 

 attached when the corolla is polypetalous, and hypogynous and 

 opposite to the divisions of the corolla when this is monopetalous. 

 Ovary 1-celled {figs. 621 and 987); ovule solitary, suspended 

 from a long cord arising from the base of the cell {fig. 623) ; 

 styles {fig. 988) usually 5, sometimes 3 or 4. Fruit utricular, or 

 dehiscing by valves at the apex. Seed solitary ; embryo straight ; 

 albumen mealy, and small in quantity. 



Distribution, ^r. — Chiefly found growing on the sea-shore and 

 in salt marshes in various parts of the globe, but by far the greater 

 number inhabit tempera t-e regions. Examples of the Genera : — 

 Statice, Armeria, Plumbago. There are about 250 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance, but acridity and 

 astringency appear to be the most remarkable properties of the 

 plants of this order. 



Armeria vulgaris, Common Thrift.— The dried flowers are diuretic. 



Plumbago. — The roots of several species are acrid and vesicant when fresh, 

 as those of P. europcea, Toothwort, P. zeylanica, P. scandens, and P. rosea. 

 P. toxicaiHa is used as a poison in Mozambique. 



Slatice caroliniana is called Marsh Rosemary in the United States, where 

 its root is much employed as an active astringent. 



Natural Order 163. Plantaginace;e. — The Eibwort Order 

 {fitgs. 989 and 990).— Character. — Herbaceous plants, gene- 



Fig. 989. 



Fig, 990. 



Fig. 9S9. Plant of a species 

 of Rib-grass (Plantago), 



•with radical leaves. 



Fig. 990. Flower of the 

 game. 



rally without stems {fig. 989). Leaves commonly ribbed and 

 radical {fig. 989). Flowers usually spiked {fig. 387) and perfect 

 {fig. 990), or rarely solitary, and sometimes imisexual. Calyx 

 persistent, 4-partite, imbricated {fig. 990). Corolla dry and mem- 



