26 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 
7. COMMELINACEZA. SpipERWorRT FAMILY. 
Herbs, with slimy or mucilaginous juice ; stems somewhat 
succulent, jointed, leafy, simple or branched. Leaves simple, 
succulent, narrow, entire, sheathing at the base, sheaths entire 
Fic. 5.— Acorus Calamus. 
A, spadix ; B, a single flower, enlarged ; C, diagram of flower, enlarged. 
or split. Flowers in terminal cymes or umbels, perfect, often 
irregular. Sepals 3, persistent, foliaceous or colored. Petals 3, 
soon falling or liquefying ; stamens 6 or fewer, often some of 
them abortive. Ovary 2-3-celled ; style single, stigma entire 
or 3-lobed, fruit a 2—3-celled, 2—3-valved capsule, seeds soli- 
tary or several in each cell.* 
—— 
a 
