252 



POLYPETALOTJS ORDERS. 



Leaves simple, alternate, stipulate. Sej^als 5, persistent, iisuall^ 

 eloiigated at the base. Petals 5, unequal, one of them largei 

 than the others, and commonly bearing a spur or sac at the 

 base; aestivation imbricate. Stainens 5, alternate with the 

 petals ; anthers introrse, often cohering. Ovary 1-celled, manj- 

 seeded ; style usually turned to one side, with an oblique hood- 

 ed stigma. Fruit a 3-valved capsule, placenta on the middle 

 of the valves. Seeds several or numerous ; eiiibryo straight, in 

 the axis of a fleshy albumen. 



a. Properties : some species '^"^ — ' *^' ' ' 



of this order are cultivated for 

 the beauty of their flowers, 

 others for their fragrance. The 

 roots of all are acrid. 



Genera. — Viola, Solea. 



Fig. 177, a, Viola sagitto- ; 

 b, the petals displayed ; c, sta- 

 mens in place but separated, 

 and pistil enlarged ; d, the pis- 

 til magnified, the ovary trans- 

 versely divided. 



415. Deoseracejs, the 

 Sundeio Tribe. — Small 

 herhs^ usually growing 

 in marshy places. Leaves 

 alternate, or clustered at 

 the base of the scape, with a circinate vernation ; stipules in the 

 form of fringes. Sepals 5, persistent, imbricate in aestivation. 

 Petals 5. Stamens distinct, as many as the petals and alter- 

 nate with them, or 2, 3, or 4 times as many. Ovary single. 

 Fruit a capsule. Seeds numerous ; emhryo minute, in fleshy 

 albumen. 



Genera. — Drosera, Dionea. 



416. CisTACEJ5, tlie Rock-Rose Tribe. — Shrubby plants, or 

 herbs. Leaves entire, opposite or alternate. Sepals 5, persis- 

 tent, the three inner convolute in aestivation, the two outer 

 small or sometimes wanting. Petals 5 (rarely 3), convolute in 

 aestivation, twisted in the direction opposite to that of the se- 

 pals, often crumpled, sometimes wanting. Stamens usually 

 numerous, distinct. Ovary 1 or many celled. Fruit capsular, 

 with 23arietal placentae, 3-5-10-valved. Seeds few, or numerous, 

 with mealy albumen ; embryo curved or spiral. 



a. Properties: unimportant; the flowers often showy. 

 Genera. — Cistus, Helianthemum, Hudsonia, Lechea, Ionium. 



417. HypERicACEiE, the St. John's-Wo7't Tribe. — Herbs or 

 shmibs.) with a resinous juice. Leaves opposite, entire, without 

 stipules, and punctate, with pellucid or blackish dots. Flowers 



