DICOTYLEDONES -CALYCIFLOEiE 



347 



Distribution and Nnmhers. — They are principally^ natives of 

 tropical regions, but a few are also extra-tropical, being found in 

 North America. China, Australia, and also in the northern 

 provinces of India. lUustrative G<'/?e;-rt ; — Melastoma, Juss. ; 

 Medinilla, Gaud. There are about 2,000 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The prevailing character of these 

 plants is a slight degree of astringency. Many produce edible 

 fruits, and some are used for dyeing, GeneralW speaking, the 

 plants of this order possess but little interest from a medicinal or 

 economic point of view, but none are unwholesome. A number 

 of species are cultivated in this country on account of the beauty 

 of their flowers. 



Order 144. Lythrace^, the Loosestrife Order. — Character. 



Fio. 1108. 



Fig. 1109. 



Fig. 110f<. Vertical section of the flower of the Purple Loosestrife {lythrum 

 Salicaria).- —Ffp'. 1109. Calyx of the same. 



Herbs or rarel}^ shrubs, frequently 4-sided. Leaves opposite or 

 rarely alternate, entire, and exstipulate. Floivers regular or 

 irregular. Calyx persistent, ribbed, tubular below, the lobes with 

 a valvate aestivation, sometimes with intermediate teeth. Petals 

 inserted between the lobes of the calyx and alternate with 

 them, occasionally wanting; deciduous. Stame^is perigynous, 

 inserted below the petals, to which they are equal in number, 

 or twice as many, or even more numerous ; aiithers adnate, 2- 

 celled, opening longitudinally. Ovarij superior, 1- 2- or G-celled ; 

 ovules numerous or rarely few; style 1, filiform; stigma 

 capitate or rarely 2-lobed. Fruit capsular, membranous, dehis- 

 cent, surrounded by the non-adherent calyx-tube. Seeds 



