BERBERACE/E. 17 



small caducous stipules. Flowers yellow^ in pendulous clusters, 

 perfect, regular, imbricated in prefloration (aestivation). Sepals 

 4-6, usually in two rows, petaloid, unequal, caducous, subtended 

 by two or more bracts. Petals 6-8, in two rows, usually with 

 two glands at the base. Stamens as many as the petals ; anther- 

 cells opening by a valve from the base to the summit. Ovary 

 free, monocarpous, one-celled, with two or more ovules, which are 

 ascending and reflexed. Stigma sessile, discoid. Fruit a one- 

 seeded berry, or with several seeds, rarely capsular and opening 

 (dehiscent). Seeds ascending. Embryo straight, in a fleshy or 

 corneous albumen (perisperm) . Radicle directed towards the hilum. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE GENEKA. 



Beebeeis. — Stems woody, rarely herbaceoiis. Sepals, petals, and stamens 6 



respectively. Fruit a berry. 

 Epimeditjm. — Stems herbaceous. Sepals, petals, and stamens 4. Fruit 



capsular. 



Berberis, Lin. — Spinous shrubs, with simple tufted leaves on 

 the extremities of abortive short branches, which are subtended 

 by a palmate spine (an abortive leaf) . Flowers yellow, in many- 

 flowered pendulous clusters. Sepals 6, petaloid, with 2-3 scale- 

 like bracts at their base. Petals 6, with glands near the claw. 

 Stamens 6, with flat filaments. Berry oblong, usually two-seeded. 



B. vulgaris, Lin. Common Berberry, or Barberry. — e.b. 49. 



L.B.S.401. 



A. 15. C. 40. Lat. 50-57°. Alt. 0-150 yds. Tern. 51-46°. 



Hedge- shrub, 3-6 feet high, bushy, with grey bark and 

 yellow wood. Leaves oblong-obovate, toothed, with spinous 

 cilia (fringes). Flowers yellow, scented. Fruit bright red, acid, 

 crowned by the withered stigma. 



Hedges, not common. Flowers in May and June ; fruits in 

 September and October. 



Epimedium, Lin. — Roots permanent, creeping, and woody, 

 with annual stems and compound leaves. Flowers in terminal 

 clusters. Sepals 4, ovate, equal, deciduous. Petals 4, ovate, 

 equal, and concave, with an appendage, crown (nectary) on each, 

 connected with the receptaclCo Anthers with valvular cells, the 

 valve rolling back when the pollen is shed. Fruit capsular, one- 

 celled, two-valved, and many-seeded. 



E. alpinum, Lin. Alpine Barrenwort. — e.b. 438. l.b.s. 402. 

 A. 7? 

 3 d 



