Key to the System of 



39. Fruit consisting of a single or two or more separate or 



coherent fruitlets. 



Leaves scattered, lobeless ; calyx divided into sepals or lobes ; 

 petals generally none ; fruitlets often circularly arranged ; 

 ovule usually single in each ovulary-cell ; seed fixed to 

 the base of the cavity ; embryo imperfectly annular. 

 Figure 43. Phytolacceae. 183 



Fruit two- or more-celled. 



Calyx divided into sepals or lobes ; stamens mostly indefinite 

 in number ; seeds fixed to the base of the fruit-cavity or 

 to the angles of the fruit-cells ; embryo imperfectly annular. 

 Figures 39, 40, 41. Ficoideae. 184 



40. Petals usually present ... ... ... ... ... 41 



Petals always absent ... ... ... ... ... 42 



41. Sepals or calyx-lobes as many as petals. 



Leaves always opposite ; calyx of some genera tubular ; 

 stamens definite in number ; fruit adnate only at the base ; 

 seeds two or more, fixed to the base of the fruit-cavity ; 

 embryo nearly always imperfectly annular. Figures 32 

 and 33. Caryophylleae. 186 



Sepals or calyx-lobes fewer than petals. 



Leaves mostly scattered ; stamens often indefinite in num- 

 ber ; fruit of some genera adnate in its lower portion ; 

 seeds numerous, fixed to the base of the fruit-cavity ; 

 embryo imperfectly annular. Figure 31. Portulaceae. 192 



42. Fruit often adherent to the tube of the calyx. 



Leaves mostly opposite and lobeless ; style one ; stigma 

 undivided ; fruit indehiscent ; seed one, fixed to the base 

 of the fruit-cavity ; cotyledons usually broad, folded or 

 convolute, including the albument. Figure 44. 



Nyctagineae. 194 



Fruit often adnate only at the base ... ... ... 43 



43. Stipules conspicuous, often tubular-connate. 



Sepals or lobes of the calyx usually in two rows and often 

 petaloid, membranous or succulent ; stigmas two or three; 

 fruit usually enclosed within the calyx, one -seeded, 

 indehiscent ; seed fixed to the base of the fruit- cavity ; 

 embryo lateral or axillary. Figure 42. Polygoneae. 195 



Stipules none ... ... ... ... ... ... 44 



