BORAGINACE^E. 



463 



ovules 4, each attached to the lowest point of the cavity, amphitropal ; 

 style simple, basilar (figs. 403, 661 s), (terminal in Ehretiese and Helio- 

 tropieae) ; stigma simple or bifid. Fruit (fig. 662) consisting of 2 to 4 

 distinct achaenia (succulent and consolidated in Ehretieae). Seed 

 exalbuminous, or with thin albumen; radicle superior; cotyledons 

 plano-convex (fig. 662). Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with terete stems, 



alternate, rough, exstipulate leaves, and flowers generally in scorpioidal 

 (gyrate) cymes (fig. 253). On account of the asperities in the leaves, 

 the plants have sometimes been called Asperifolise. The order is divided 

 into three suborders : 1. Boraginese (figs. 660-662), with a basilar 

 style, 4-lobed ovary, acha3nium-like fruit, and exalbuminous seeds ; 

 natives chiefly of temperate climates. 2. Ehretiese, with a terminal 

 style, a quadrilocular, concrete ovary, a succulent fruit, and usually 

 albuminous seeds ; natives of tropical countries. 3. Heliotropiese, with 

 a terminal style, an entire or 2-lobed ovary, a dry fruit separable 

 into four achsenia, and exalbuminous seeds; natives partly of temperate, 

 and partly of warm climates. There are 67 known genera, and nearly 

 DOO species. Examples Borago, Anchusa, Echium, Myosotis, Cyno- 

 glossum, Ehretia, Heliotropium. 



959. The plants of the order are generally mucilaginous and emol- 

 lient. Some are astringent. Nitrate of potash exists in some, and 

 imparts coolness to the water in which they are steeped. Borago offi- 

 cinalis, Borage, has been used for its mucilaginous emollient properties, 



Figs. 660-662. Organs of fructification of Anchusa italica, to illustrate the natural order 

 Boraginacea. 



Fig. 660. Diagram of the flower, with five imbricated divisions of the calyx, five imbricated 

 segments of the corolla, five stamens, and a 4-lobed ovary. 



Fig. 661. Vertical section of the flower, c. Hairy calyx, p p, Corolla, e, Stamens inserted 

 into the corolla, a a, Staminal appendages or coroUine scales, o, 4-lobed ovary, two of its 

 divisions cut through vertically, s, Basilar style. 



Fig. 662. One of the carpels (achsenia) cut vertically, p, Pericarp separable from the seed. 

 t, Spermoderm or integuments of the seed, e, Embryo with superior radicle, and plano-convex 

 cotyledons. 



