ANGIOSPERMAE 



677 



originally introduced from the East and now largely cultivated in the Mediterranean 



FIG. 7lv.Punii:a granatum (i nat. size). 1, Branch bearing a flower and a bud. 

 2, Flower in longitudinal section. 3, Fruit. (See text.) 



region on account of its acid refreshing fruits known as Pomegranates (Fig. 719) 



Leaves small, entire. Flower with a stiff, red 



calyx, an indefinite number of petals, and 



numerous stamens ; the 7-14 carpels are arranged 



in two tiers, the upper of which corresponds in 



number to Che sepals, the lower to the half of 



this (Fig. 720). Fruit enclosed by a leathery 



pericarp with numerous seeds in the loculi of 



both tiers. The external layers of the seed-coat 



become succulent and form the edible portion of FlG 72 o. -Floral diagram of Punica 



the fruit. granatum. (After EICHLER.) 



Order 21. Umbelliflorae 



Inflorescence as a rule an umbel. Flowers hermaphrodite, 

 actinomorphic ; a single whorl of stamens and an inferior bilocular 

 ovary, the upper surface of which forms the nectary. Carpels 

 two. A single pendulous ovule in each loculus. 



The affinities of the Umbelliflorae are to be sought in the Gruinales to the 



