544 FLORA OF MADRAS. \_Tetr ameles. 



Capsule ovoid, membranous, 4-8-ribbed, dehiscing at the apex. 



Seeds very many, minute, ellipsoid ; testa very loose, reticulate, 



membranous. 



TETRAMELES NTTDIFLORA, E/. Br. ; F. B. I. ii. 657; Bedd. 

 Fl. t. 212. T. Grahamiana.Wt. Ic. t. 1956. 



W. Coast and "W. Ghats, in low level forests both evergreen 



and deciduous, up to 2,500 ft. 



A very large deciduous tree reaching 150 ft. in height and a 



considerable diameter, the base supported by large buttresses. 



Bark greyish-white, smooth ; wood coarse and soft, largely 



used on the W. Coast for dug-out canoes. Yern. Tarn., MaL 



Chini. 



Family LXXY. BEGONIACEAE. 



Succulent herbs, sometimes undershrubs ; stem often reduced 

 to a rhizome or tuber. Leaves alternate, rarely subverticillate, 

 more or less inequilateral, entire toothed or lobed; stipules 2, 

 free, often deciduous. Flowers usually showy, white rose or 

 yellow, monoecious, on axillary peduncles bracteate at base, 

 divided above in dichotomous cymes ; bracts and bracteoles 

 opposite. MALE : Perianth of 2 outer valvate sepals with or 

 without an inner smaller pair ; stamens numerous, the filaments 

 free or connate in a bundle ; anthers usually narrowly obovoid, 

 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. FEMALE : Perianth of 2-6 

 sepals, the 2 outer usually large ; ovary inferior, 2-4-celled, usually 

 3-celled and^-winged ; placentas axile, simple or 2 in each cell ; 

 ovules numerous ; styles 2-4, free or connate ; stigmas branched 

 or twisted. Fruit a capsule, usually winged, variously but usually 

 loculicidally dehiscent. Seeds minute ; testa reticulate ; albumen 

 scanty or 0. 



Begonia, Linn. 

 CHARACTERS OF THE FAMILY. 



Placentas 2 in each cell ; small plants with tuberous roots : 

 Capsule 3-celled ; sepals of 3 flowers 4, the outer larger : 



Ovary pubescent; leaves ovate, cordate, acuminate; capsule- 

 wings 3, elongate, one especially so, ascending ; stigmas spiral 



1. picta. 



Ovary glabrous; leaves orbicular, cordate; capsule-wings 3, 

 narrow, horizontal, sub-equal ; stigmas branched, curved 



2. cordifolia. 



