RHAMNE^E. 73 



Shrubs, with opposite, pinnate leaves. Flowers in terminal 

 racemes. 



1. STAPHYLEA. Lwn. 



Calyx 5-parted, covered at base by an urceolate disk ; 

 lobes oblong, concave, coloured. Petals 5, alternating with 

 the sepals. Stamens 5, alternating with the petals. Ovary 

 2 3-lobed. Styles 2 3, sometimes united. Capsule 2 3- 

 celled ; cells membranaceous, inflated, united at base or 

 throughout their whole length. Pentandria. Trigynia. 



S. trifolia Linn. : leaves ternate, on long petioles ; leafets ovate, 

 acuminate, serrulate, pubescent, the terminal one petioled ; styles gla- 

 brous ; capsule bladder-like. 



HAS. N. Y. to Car. W. to Miss. April June. T?. A shrub 

 6 10 feet high. FLowers white, in. axillary and terminal pendu- 

 lous panicles. Bladder-nut. 



ORDER XXXIII. RHAMNE.E. De Cand. Lind. 



Calyx 4 5-cleft, with a valvate aestivation. Petals distinct, 

 cucullate or convolute, inserted into the orifice of the calyx, oc- 

 casionally wanting. Stamens definite, opposite the petals. 

 Disk fleshy. Ovary superior or half superior, 2 3 4-cell- 

 ed ; ovules solitary, erect. Fruit fleshy and indehiscent, or 

 dry and separating in 3 parts. Seeds erect ; albumen fleshy, 

 seldom wanting; embryo almost as long as the seed, with 

 large flat cotyledons, and a short inferior radicle. 



Trees or shrubs, often spiny. Leaves simple, alternate, 

 rarely opposite, with minute stipules. Flowers axillary or 

 terminal. 



1. RHAMNUS. Linn. 



Calyx 4 5-cleft, urceolate, persistent with and adhering 

 to the fruit at base. Petals alternating with the lobes of the 

 calyx, or none. Stamens 4 5, inserted above the petals. 

 Style 2 4-cleft. Berry 2 4-celled ; cells 1 , rarely 2-seed- 

 ed. Pentandria. Monogynia. 



1. R. alnifolius L'Hcrit: unarmed ; leaves alternate, oval, acumi- 

 nate, serrulate, pubescent on the nerves beneath ; flowers dioecious ; 

 peduncles 1-flowered, aggregate ; calyx acute ; fruit turbinate. R. 

 franguloides Mich. 



HAB. Rocky hills. Can. to Vir. rare. May, June. T>. 

 Flowers small, greenish, in axillary fascicles. Berries black. 



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