1 66 



SAXIFRAGES 



polysymmetric and generally 5-merou.s fiowers ; sepals 5, rarely 

 4, united at the base, and generally partly adherent to the carpels ; 

 petals equal in number and alternate to the sepals, imbricate, or 

 rarely absent ; sta??ie?ts 4 — 10, perigynous ; carpels usually 2, 

 rarely 3 — 4, united below ; styles usually distinct ; ovules many ; 

 fruit of two follicles, a 1^2-chambered capsule, or a berry. 

 Most members of the Order have slightly astringent properties, 

 and some few are bitter and tonic. Several species of the genus 

 Ribes have berries with an agreeable acid flavour ; others are 

 mawkish. The extensive genus Saxifraga contains many tufted 

 mountain plants that contribute greatly to the beauty of alpine 

 vegetation. 



CRAT^GUS oxyacAntha {flaivthoru). 



1. Saxifraga. — Herhs ; petals 5; stamms 10, rarely 5; ovary 

 2-chambered; styles 2. 



2. Chrysosplenium. — Small succulent herbs; petals absent; 

 stamens 8 or 10 ; ovary i -chambered; styles 2. 



3. Parnassia. — Herbs ; flowers large, solitary ; petals 5 ; 

 stamens 5, with five alternating staminodes ; ovary r -chambered ; 

 stigmas 3 or 4. 



4. Ribes. — Shrubs ; petals 4 or 5 ; sta?He?ts 4 or 5 ; ova?y 

 I -chambered ; styles 2 ; fruit a berry. 



I. Saxifraga (Saxifraga). — Herbs, mostly perennial ; aves 

 both radical and cauline, with sheathing petioles ; floivers in cymes, 

 white, yellow, or rarely purple or red ; sepals 5, imbricate ; petals 

 5 ; stamens 10, rarely 5 ; carpels 2, united below, forming a superior. 



