EUPHORBIACE.^5 249 



very often into a cushion-like outgrowth (obturator). Fruit 

 usually capsular, splitting into as many cocci as there are ovary- 

 cells, the axis persisting, each coccus opening above and along 

 the back by 2 valves — sometimes drupaceous, divided into cells, 

 not splitting. Seeds generally as many as the ovules, often 

 with a caruncle at the apex. Endosperm usually copious, fleshy, 

 rarely scanty or wanting. Embryo central, straight or slightly 

 curved, generally as long as the endosperm ; cotyledons flat, 

 broad ; radicle superior ; rarely when the endosperm is scanty 

 or wanting, the cotyledons are fleshy, large, and folded. 



Species about 4,000, widely distributed over the world, 

 mainly in the tropics. 



Tribe I. PhyllaniJieae. Perianth single, the calyx (rudi- 

 mentary petals in Savia). Stamens opposite the sepals, 

 or (in Phyllanthus) in centre of flower. Ovules 2 in each 

 cell. Inflorescence axillary. (See also TetrorcJiidium in 

 Tribe Crotonese.) 



Flowers without petals. 



Ovary with 3 (or more) cells. 



Stamens in centre of flower 1. Phyllanthus. 



Stamens opposite sepals 2. Sectirinega. 



Ovary with 2 cells (or 1). 



Flowers in clusters 3. Drypetes. 



Flowers in panicles 4. Hyeronima. 



Flowers with rudimentary petals (sometimes none in 



female flowers), in clusters 5. Savia. 



Tribe II. Picrodendronese. Perianth wanting in male flower ; 

 single, th<5 calyx, in female flower. Stamens indefinite in 

 number, subtended by bracts. Ovary 2-celled, ovules 2 in 

 each cell. 



6. Picrodendron. 



Tribe III. Crotonese. Perianth single, the calyx, or double, 

 calyx and petals. Stamens in one or more series, the 

 outer alternate with the sepals, or in the centre of the 

 flower (opposite the sepals in Tetrorcliidmm). Ovules 1 

 in each cell. 



Perianth double, calyx and petals (petals small in 

 Acidocroton and Argythamnia, ubually small or 

 wanting in female flowers of Croton). 

 Inflorescence racemose or spicate. 



Inflorescence terminal 7. Croton. 



Inflorescence axillary. 



Shrub. Stamens 4 8. Argythamnia. 



Swamp herb. Stamens 10 9. Caperonia. 



