NYCTAGINACE^E. 



477 



982. Order 144. Nyctnginnceie, the Marvel of Peru Family. (Apet. 

 Hypog.) Perianth tubular, coloured, contracted in the middle, be- 

 coming indurated at the base (fig. 682); limb entire, or toothed and 

 deciduous; aestivation plicate (fig. 681). Stamens definite, hypogy- 

 nous (fig. 682 e); anthers dithecal (fig. 683). Ovary superior, 1- 

 celled; ovule solitary, erect; style 1; stigma 1 (figs. 682, 684). 

 Fruit a caryopsis, enclosed within the enlarged persistent tube of the 

 perianth (figs. 441, 685, 686). Embryo peripherical (figs. 522, 

 (586 e); albumen farinaceous; cotyledons foliaceous; radicle inferior 

 (figs. 686, 687). Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with opposite, often unequal, 

 sometimes alternate leaves, and involucrate flowers (figs. 681, 682). 



Figs. 681-687. Organs of fructification of Mirabilis Jalapa, illustrating the natural order 

 Xvctaginacese. 



"Fig. 681. Diagram of the flower, with an imbricated involucre, five divisions of the perianth, 

 five alternate stamens, and a unilocular ovary. 



Fig. 682. Lower part of the flower cut vertically, i, Involucre, c, Base of the perianth, 

 green and swollen around the ovary, t, Part of its coloured tube, e, Lower part of the filaments. 

 s, Part of the style, o, Ovary with its erect ovule. 



Fig. 683. Stamens with convex swelling at the base of the filaments. 



Fig. 684. Style and stigma. 



Fig. 685 Fruit enlosed by the persistent and indurated base of the perianth. 



Fig. 686. The same cut vertically, i, Involucre, c, Perianth. /, Pericarp, p, Perisperm. 

 e, Curved peripherical embryo, surrounding mealy albumen. 



Fig. 687 Horizontal section of the fruit, c, Perianth, t, Integument of the seed with the 



pericarp, p, Perisperm. r, Radicle, c o, Cotyledons. 



