CVI. AMARANTACE-E (bAKER AND CLARKF.). 



15 



Species 600, in trojjical and warm countries, mostly weeds. 



It is sometimes a question of interpretation whether the " hracteoles" to a per- 

 fect flower are to be considered " proi)hylhi " or as 2 rudimentary " tlowers" reduced 

 to bracts. In the flower-cluster genera the number of ])erfect flowers in the cluster 

 is 2 or 1, or mostly 1, in the same flower-spike; the number of sterile flowers in the 

 cluster is hicyhly variable. In some of the species which are considered to have 

 staminodes the staminal tube is a mere rim, and the staminodes are minute and 

 hardly to be made out with the microscope ; but in these cases the filaments being 

 linear to the base (not united by an acute sinus), cany the species to the group 

 diagnosed as having staminodes. In Hermhslcedtia it cannot be determined abso- 

 lutely what part of the tube belongs to the fertile filaments, what to the sterile j I 

 prefer here the earlier view of Dr. Schinz to the later. In the face of these facts, 

 the subjoined table of the genera has been drawn up, as far as practicable, to 

 work (for the African species) from obvious characters. At the same time, it is not 

 admitted that there exists (for instance) between Achyranthes and Pandiaka any 

 more definite diffei-ence thun that between pctioled and sessile leaves. 

 Leaves alternate. Anthei-s 2-celled. 



Ovary with several ovules. Flowers glabrous or 

 neai-ly so. 

 Flowers pedicelled. Fruit a berry . 

 Flowers sessile. Utricle membranous. 



Filaments linear to the base ; no staminodes 

 Filaments broad or staminodes present . 

 Ovary with I ovule. 



Flowers nearly glabrous. No staminodes. 

 Ovary glabrous. 



Fertile flower supi)orted by 2 sterile 

 Fertile flower solitary .... 

 Ovary densely woolly .... 



Flowers full of fine hairs. Staminodes present. 

 Fertile flower solitary 

 Fertile flower supported by 2 sterile 

 l^eaves opposite. 

 Anthers 2-celled. 



liracts of the sterile flowers ending (some of 

 them) in hooked spines. 



Staminodes present .... 



No staminodes ..... 



liracts of the sterile flowers none ending in 

 hooked spines. 

 Flowers (some rudimentary) clustered in 

 partial inflorescences. 

 Staminodes . 

 Staminodes present. 



Leaves either linear or elliptic 

 Leaves narrowly oblong , 

 Flowers solitary. 

 Staminodes 0. 



Perianth nearly glabrous 

 Perianth with long white hairs 

 Staminodes present. 

 Leaves present. 



Krect herbs or small shrubs. 

 Leaves pctioled. 



Fruit-perianth deflexed . .16. Achybanthes. 



1. Deeringia. 



2. Cklosia. 



3. Hekmbst^dtia. 



4. Digera. 



5. Amakanthus. 



6. Meciiowia. 



7. .Erva. 



8. Sericocoma. 



9. Cyathula. 



10. PUPALIA. 



11. Marcellia. 



]2. 

 13. 



Cypkocarpa. 

 Cextema. 



14. PSILOTRICIIUM. 



15. CUIOXOTURIX. 



