258 POLTPETALOUS ORDKRS. 



433. EuTACE^, the Rue Trite. — Serls^ shruh.% or f)r£S. Leaves 

 opposite or alternate, simple or pinnate, without stipules, cot- 

 ered with pellucid resinous dots. Flowers perfect, axillary or 

 terminal, regular or irregular. Stipals.4: or 5. Petals, the same 

 number as the divisions of the caljx, gestivation usually twisted. 

 /Stamens as many, or 2 or 3 times as many as the petals, inserted 

 on the outside of a, hypogynous disk. Ovary sessile or stalked, 

 its lobes equal to the number of petals, or fewer ; styles united, 

 or sej^arate only at the base. Fmdt composed of several cap- 

 sules, which are dehiscent at one or both sutures. Seeds few, 

 mostly with albumen ; emh^o curved. 



a. Properties : remarkable for strong and unpleasant odor, and bitterness. 

 Gents. — Ruta. 



434. Xanthoxylace^, the Prichly-Ash Trihe. — Trees or 

 shnibs. Leaves punctate with pellucid dots, without stipules. 

 Floicers polygamous or dioecious. Segals 3-9. Petals as many 

 as the sepals, or wanting. Stamens equal to the petals in num- 

 ber, or twice as many. Ovary made up of 2 or more carjDcls, 

 combined or distinct ; styles more or less distinct, according to 

 the degree of cohesion of the carpels. Fruit berried or mem- 

 braneous, 2-5-celled, sometimes consisting of several drupes, or 

 2-valved capsules. Seeds solitary or twin, pendulous, with a 

 smooth and shining crustaceous testa ; embryo large, lying with- 

 in fleshy albumen ; cotyledons ovate, flat. 



a. Properties : pungent, aromatic, bitter, and stimulant. 

 Geneea. — Xanthoxylum, Ptelea. 



435. Anacaediace^, the Casheio Tribe. — Trees or shrubs. 

 Leaves alternate, without stipules. Flowers small, often polyg- 

 amous or dioecious. Sepals 3-5, united at the base. Petals 

 as many as the sepals. Stamens equal in number to the petals 

 and alternate with them, or twice as many. Ovary one-celled ; 

 ovule solitary. Fniit a berry or drupe. Seed destitute of albu- 

 men ; emh'yo curved. 



a. Properties : plants of this order are characterized by an acrid resinous juice 

 used in varnishes ; fruit sometimes edible. 

 Genus. — Rhus. 



436. Amykedace^, the A-myris Tribe. — Trees or shrubs.^ 

 abounding in balsam or resin. Leaves alternate or oppo- 

 site, compound. Ccdyx persistent, regular, with 2 to 5 di- 

 visions. I^etals 3-5. Stamens twice as many as the petals. 

 Dish orbicular or annular. Ovary 1 to 5 celled, sessile. Fruit 

 dry, 1-5-celled. Seeds exalbuminous ; cotyledons fleshy or 

 wrinkled. 



Genus. — Amyris. 



