440 LVII. MELAST0MACE2E (HOOKER). 



one or two pores, rarely by slits, connective often produced below into 

 a pedicel, which is often tubercled at its base, or spurred before or be- 

 hind or both. Ovary 2- or more -celled (1 -celled in Memecylon) ; style 

 terminal, usually slender, stigma simple or capitate ; ovules minute, 

 anatropous, crowded on placentas that project from the inner angles of 

 the cells (whorled round a central placenta in Memecylon). Fruit a 

 loculicidal capsule included within the calyx-tube or a berry. Seeds 

 usually minute, cochleate or angular (in Memecylon solitary and large) ; 

 albumen 0; embryo terete or subglobose in all but the Memecylece 

 which have a large radicle and convolute or consolidated cotyledons. — 

 Herbs shrubs or trees, sometimes epiphytic or climbing. Stem usually 

 4-angled; branches opposite. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, usually 3-5- 

 nerved. Inflorescence various. 



A very large Tropical American order, less abundant in Asia, and comparatively rare 

 in Africa. 



Suborder I. Melastomej3. 



Ovary 1- or more -celled ; ovules numerous ; placentas in the inner 

 angles "of the cells. Fruit many-seeded. Seeds minute ; embryo 

 minute, terete or subglobose. 



Tribe 1. Osbeckiese. — Ovary altogether or partially free, its top convex. Capsule 

 enclosed in the dry rarely fleshy calyx-tube, crown convex or conical, usually hispid at 

 the tip. Seeds minute, cochleate. Inflorescence various. 



* Anthers equal or nearly so. 



Calyx glabrous. Anthers 8 ; connective 2-tubercled at the base . 1. Nerophila. 



Calyx hispid or bristly. Anthers 8 or 10 ; connective dilated and 

 2-tubercled at the base, not lengthened below. Ovary hispid at 

 the top 2. Osbeckia. 



Calyx glabrous. Anthers 8 or 10, broad ; connective not tubercled, 

 elongated below and continuous with the filament. Ovary gla- 

 brous 3. Guyonia. 



Calyx bristly. Antbers 8, narrow, pore large ; connective short or 

 produced and 2-tubercled at the base. Ovary crowned with 

 bristles 4. Antherotoma. 



Calyx glabrous. Anthers 10, connective dilated and produced at 



the base, notched in front 5. Dinophora. 



** Anthers unequal ; connective of the larger usually much produced at the base. 



Anthers 10; not or very shortly produced; 2-tubercled in front; 



flowers capitate. Bracts large, persistent 6. Tristemma. 



Anthers 8-10, connective of the larger produced at the base with 



long appendage in front. Inflorescence and bracts various . . 7. Dissotis. 



Tribe 2. Sonerileae. — Ovary more or less adnate to the calyx-tube; its top flat or 

 depressed, angular. Capsule enclosed in the dry calyx-tube,' crown broad, truncate, 

 depressed, with 3-5 flat facets, which are often produced into erect scales. Seeds 

 straight, angular, never cochleate. Inflorescence usually scorpioid. 



Anthers 10, very unequal, connective lengthened at the base, and. 



appendaged in front 8. Amphiblemma. 



Anthers 1 0, sub-equal, connective lengthened at the base, and ap- 

 pendaged in front 9. Calvoa. 



