Bivina 



PHYTOLACCACE^ 



155 



sperma ; cotyledons foliaceous or semiterete, sometimes one 

 much larger than the other, convolute or folded on themselves. 



Species about 90, mostly natives of tropical and subtropical 

 regions. 



Perianth of a single series. 

 Perianth-segments 4. 

 Fruit globose. 



Stamens 4. Stigma capitate 1. Bivina. 



Stamens 8-16. Stigma penicillate 2. Trichostigma. 



Fruit elongate, with deflexed hooks at apex 3. Petiveria. 



Perianth-segments 5. 



. Ovary one-celled, with 2 stigmas 6. Microtea. 



Ovary several-celled, with as many stigmas as 



cells 4, Phytolacca, 



Perianth of calyx and corolla 5. Stegnosperma. 



1. RIVINA L. 



Erect herbs, shrubby below. Leaves alternate, or subopposite 

 on shortened branches. Flowers hermaphrodite, in racemes. 



Fig. 53. — Rivina humilis L. 



A, Upper portion of branch X §. 



B, Flower-bud X 7. 



C, Flower x 7. 



D, Fruit X 5. 



B, Section of seed X 5 ; e, eudosperm ; 

 c, cotyledons ; I, lobed base of coty- 

 ledon ; r, radicle. 



Bracts and bracteoles minute, deciduous. Perianth corolline, 

 4-cleft ; segments increased in fruit. Stamens 4. Ovary of one 



