PETALOIDEJE. 



691 



Pcriardh inferior, arranged in two whorls, each consisting of 

 three parts {fig. 1061); the outer whorl herbaceous, the inner 

 coloiu-ed. Stamens {fig. 1061) few or numerous; anthers 

 introrse. Ovaries several {fig. 1061) superior, 1-celled; ovules 

 solitary, or 2-superposed ; ^:)^«ce/ei'fis axile or basal {fig. 1062). 

 Fruit dry. Seeds without albumen ; embryo undivided, curved. 



Distribution, ^r. — They are principally found in the northern 

 parts of the world. Examples of the Genera ; — Alisnia, Sagit- 

 taria, Actinocarpus. These are the only genera; there are 

 about 50 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance. Many have fleshy 

 mealy rhizomes, which are edible when cooked. Others possess 

 astringent properties. Alisma Plantago had formerly a reputa- 

 tion as a remedy, in hydrophobia. 



Natural Order 272. Butomace.^. — The Butomus or Flowering 

 Rush Order {figs. 1063 and 1064). —Character. — Aquatic 

 ptlants with parallel-veined 



leaves, sometimes milky. ]r;g_ 1063. Fig. 1064. 



Flowers perfect {figs. 576, 

 622, and 1063), showy. 

 Perianth inferior, of six 

 pieces, arranged in two 

 whorls {fig. 1063), the 

 inner being coloured. Sta- 

 mens few {fi^. 1063) or 

 numerous. Ovaries supe- 

 rior {fig. 1063), 3—6 {fig. 

 578) or more, more or less 



distinct; ovules numerous, „. ,_„ . „ , *, t^, • r. i, 



' -, , . ' Fig. 10G3. A flower of the Flowering Rush 



arranged all over the inner (Butmuus umbellatus), with an inferior 



fiiifhop nf tliP n-rnripc t fin perianth, arranged lu two whorls; nine 



^y.f ^ : OVaiies [Jig stamens, and six carpels. Pi^. 1064. Verti- 



622). I^ruit many-seeded, cai yectiou of the seed. 



separating more or less 



when ripe into as many parts as there are component carpels. 



Seeds without albumen {fig. 1064). 



Distribution, ^'c. — A few occur in tropical countries, but the 

 mass of the order inhabit the northern parts of the world. 

 Examples of the Genera : — Butomus, Lymnocharis. There are 

 7 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of little importance. Butomus v.m- 

 hellatus, the Flowering Eush, possesses acrid and bitter pro- 

 perties, and was at one time used in medicine. The roasted 

 rhizomes are edible. 



3. Diclines. 



Natural Order 273. Paxdanace^. — The Screw-pine Order. — 

 Character. — Palm-like trees {fig. 170, 2) or shrubs. Leaves 



YY 2 



