CISTIFLOK^E. 407 



the petals and stamens; in general there are 5-8 free sepals 

 and petals, the latter consisting of a large scale-like sheath with 

 a fimbriated blade (see Fig.); stamens numer- 

 ous ; carpels 6-2 united together ; ovary uni- 

 locular with parietal placentae, but the cavity 

 of the ovary is not closed at the top. In Astro- 

 carpus the gynoeceum is apocarpous. The fruit 

 is most frequently a capsule ; the seeds are 

 reniforrn, without endosperm, and the embryo 

 is curved. 



This order connects the Bhceadinae with the Cisti- 



a T , . , , ,,. , , ,. T,, ,. , ., FIG. 416. Diagram of 



floras. It is closely allied to the Rhoeadmae by its Reseda odorata 



external appearance, even by the smell and taste, the 



parietal placentation, structure of the seeds, the inflorescences, etc., whilst by 

 the irregular flowers and the disc placed at the posterior side of the flower, 

 it is allied to Capparidacece, but differs from this order in not having its 

 characteristic number (2-4) and by the very different mode of dehiscence of 

 the fruit, etc. It differs from the other orders of this family chiefly in the 

 fact that the number of the perianth-leaves is not constantly 5. In Eeseda 

 luteola. both the calyx and corolla appear to be 4-leaved, because the posterior 

 sepal is suppressed, and the 2 posterior petals are united. Where there are 10 

 stamens, they stand in 2 whorls, i.e. in front of the sepals and petals ; if there 

 are several, their position depends upon the splitting. Astrocarpus is remark- 

 able for its apocarpous fruit and the position of the ovules on the dorsal suture 

 of the carpel. 



The yellow, flat disc at the back of tbe flower serves as a nectary, the honey 

 being protected by the lobes of tbe petals. If pollination by insects is not 

 effected, then self-pollination may take place, at all events in It. odorata. 



45 species ; the majority in the Mediterranean and in Persia. Reseda odorata 

 (from Egypt) is cultivated on account of its sweet scent ; R. luteola (" Dyer's 

 Weed ") yields a yellow dye. 



Order 2. Droseracese (Sundews). Herbs, chiefly living on 

 moors or in water, and whose leaves are adapted to catch and 

 digest small animals. With regard to the flower, they are closely 

 allied to the Violacea3, especially to those with regular flowers. 

 Drosera (Sundew) has a long-stalked scorpioid cyme with regular, 

 ^ , hypogynous flowers, 5-merous as in Viola. S5, P5, A5, G3 

 (in a syncarpous gynoeceum, with free, bifid styles and basal or 

 parietally-placed ovules in the unilocular ovaries). The capsule 

 opens also as in Viola, but, among other differences, the styles are 

 free, the seeds very small, and surrounded by a loosely lying, thin 

 shell. Droser.i has radical, long-stalked leaves with the blade (Fig. 417) 

 covered by numerous strong glandular hairs, placed on the edge and in the 

 middle ; when small animals are caught by these hairs, the latter and the entire 





