288 



APETALOUS OEDEES. 



masses (pollinia). Ovary adherent, l-celled, with 3 parietai 

 placentae ; stigma viscid, oblique. Fr%iit capsular, opening by 

 8 to 6 valves. Seeds numerous, minute ; embryo solid, fleshy, 

 without albumen. 



a. Properties : some are aromatic and fragrant, others are tonic and antispas- 

 modic : the tuberous roots are often filled with a dense glutinous or mucilaginous 

 substance. Cultivated chiefly for their beauty and singularity. 



Genera. — Liparis, jMicrostylis, Malaxis, Calypso, Corallorhiza, Aplectrum, Epi- 

 dendrum, Cynibidium, Tipularia, Orchis, Platanthera, Habenaria, Listera, Neottia, 

 Pogonia, Triphora, Arethusa, Goodyera, Cypripedium, Cranichis. 



Fig. 209, a, flower of 

 Spiranthes auttwinalis fig- 209. 



after the ovary has 

 twisted on itself; o, 

 ovary with the adherent 

 perianth ; ce, external, 

 ci, internal divisions of 

 the perianth ; I, labellum 

 or lip, being the lower 

 of the three inner seg- 

 ments ; /, flower cut 

 vertically ; s, stigma ; 

 a, anther ; a)i, anther 

 separated, its inner sur- 

 face shown with its two cells ; ov, horizontal section of the ovary with 3 parietal 

 placentae bearing numerous ovules. 



Fig. 210, Cypripedium puhescens (yellow lady's-slipper) : roots fibrous and fasr 

 ciculated ; stem simple, erect ; leaves alternate, sessile, 

 sheathing, oval or oblong, entire, parallel-veined ; fiower Fig. 210, 



sessile, with bracts. 



541. Zi]S"GiBEKACE^, tlu Ginger Trihe. — 

 Aromatic, tropical herbs^ with a creeping 

 rhizome. Stem formed of the cohering 

 bases of the leaves. Leaves simple, sheath- 

 ing, with parallel veins proceeding from 

 the midrib to the margin. Flowers aris- 

 ing from among membraneous, spathaceous 

 bracts. Calyx tubular, 3-lobed, short. Co- 

 rolla tubular, irregular, 6-parted, the seg- 

 ments in two whorls. Stamens 3, distinct, 

 of which the two lateral are abortive ; fila- 

 ment often extending beyond the anther in 

 the form of a lobed or entire appendage ; 

 anther 2-celled, its lobes often embracing 

 the upper part of the style. Ovary 3-celled ; 

 style filiform ; stigma dilated, hollow. Fruit a 3-celled cap- 

 sule or berry. Seeds roundish or angular ; embryo inclosed in 

 a little sac (vitellus) at the extremity of farinaceous albumen. 



a. Properties : aromatic and stimulant. 

 Genera. — Zingiber, Curcuma. 



542. Cannace^, the Arrow-^root Tribe. — Herbaceous tropical 

 nlants destitute of aroma, with tuberous rhizomes. Stem often 



