Nyctaginaceae. 
Two varieties have been described, one from Kauai by Asa Gray, and another 
from the Pali of Kalaupapa, Molokai. 
The wood is coarsely grained and very light. resembling the wood of the Papala. 
NYCTAGINACEAE. 
This family is one of the most interesting in the vegetable kingdom, on account 
of its many peculiarities. All Nyctaginaceae are void of corollas, but possess, 
however, a perigone of often remarkable beauty. The family consists of 18 
genera, with about 155 species; it is represented in the Hawaiian Islands by 
three genera, only one of which, Pisonia, has arborescent species. 
The Nyctaginaceae are either herbs, shrubs or trees, and are distributed over the 
warmer regions of the whole world, especially in tropical America. 
PISONIA Plum. 
Flowers rarely hermaphrodite, usually unisexual, with 2 to 3 small triangular = mg 
bracts at their base. Male flower campanulate, with a 5-lobed perigone and 30 
(usually 6 to 8) stamens, which are vay shortly united at their base, and ane: sur- 
rounding a rudimentary ovary. Female flowers tubular, 5 lobed, with staminodia and 
an often plainly stipitate, elongate ovar . with a filiform style and fringed capitate stigma. 
Anthoearp of variable form, elliptical to long prismatic, ete., smooth or angular wit 
Viscous glands. Shrubs or trees with small often fragrant flowers and usually opposite, 
elliptical, lanceolate or obovate heats 
The genus consists of about 40 described species which occur in the tropics and 
their neighboring regions. Only one species is found on the African coasts. 
The fruiting perigone of the Hawaiian species exudes a very viscous substance, 
which was used by the natives as a bird lime. 
The nomenclature of the species of Pisonia is very much confused, different 
authors having referred our species to plants from other parts of the world. & 
Heimerl expresses the possibility of our endemic species (P. sandwicensis) being 
identical with P. artensis from New Caledonia. 
The writer has adhered to Hillebrand’s nomenclature as regards this latter 
species, rather than Heimerl’s, who says that our Hawaiian Pisonia 1s not well 
known to him. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES. 
Limb of perigone lobed. : 1 
eaves cuneate, inflorescence a terminal loose umbel or contracted _— ; 
umbellifera 
sandwicensis 
Leaves raiser at aa base, inflorescence a globose gat 1 Ieee ghar ShereP beg es dwi 
Limb of perigone enti : 
, inermis 
Leaves elliptical shoes. inflorescence a loose open panicle....--..--- Pr 1m 
143 
