LAMIALES. 497 



R. Rhaponticutn, a native of Western Asia, is commonly grown in \ 

 gardens under the name of "Pie Plant," its petioles are used for the ; 

 pleasant acid they contain. 



Many species are weeds of fields and gardens ; such are Smart weed, 

 and Black Bindweed (Polygonum, sp.), Docks and Sorrel (Rumex, sp.). 



Order Phytolaccaceee. Mostly tropical herbs, sometimes shrubs 

 or tryes, usually with several free or united carpels. About eighty 

 ttyecies are known, most of which are more or less acrid. 



Phytolacca decandra, the Common Pokeweed, is our most notable 

 representative. It is, however, a doubtful native. 



Order Nyctaginacese. Mostly tropical herbs, shrubs, or trees with 

 opposite leaves and tumid joints ; flowers gamophyllous. About 

 200 species are known. The roots of many of the species are purgative 

 or emetic. 



Abronia, of several species. MiraMlis, sp., the Four O'clock, or 

 Marvel of Peru, and some others, are cultivated as ornaments. 



II. G AM OPETAL^E. Plants whoso flowers generally 

 have both sepals and petals, the latter connately united. 



580. Cohort XTT. Lamiales. Plants with zygomorphic 

 flowers, superior ovaries, indehiscent fruits, with the seeds 

 solitary in the two to four cells. 



Order Labiatae. The Mint Family. Aromatic herbs or shrubs, 

 with four-angled stems and opposite leaves. The species, of which 

 there are about 2500, are abundant in temperate and warm climates, 

 but are rare in cool regions. We have about 200 native species in 

 North America. (Figs. 416-18.) 



Considering the size of the order, it ranks low from an economic 

 standpoint. The aromatic herbage has led to the use of many species 

 as domestic remedies, few of which, however, are really valuable. 

 Nevertheless, there are many species yielding minor products which 

 are of some value. 



Hyssopus offlcinalis, Hyssop, a small shrub of Southern Europe, is 

 commonly cultivated in gardens as a domestic medicine. 



Hedeoma pulegioides, American Pennyroyal, is an c.fficinal herb. 



Lavandula vera, Lavender, is a shrubby plant of the South of 

 Europe, cultivated in gardens, and used as a domestic perfume. Oil 

 of Lavender is obtained from it by distillation. 



MentJia .piperita, Peppermint, introduced from Europe, yields Oil 

 of Peppermint by distillation. It is extensively grown in Southern 

 Michigan and New York. 



Marrubium vulgare, White Horehound, of Europe, is commonly 

 found in gardens; its dried herbage is officinal. 



Rosmarinus ojftcinalis. Rosemary, T/iymns vulgaris. Thyme, and Sal- 



