Angiosp : Dicot : Pol3'pet : Calyciflorae. IX. 



CALYC I FLORAL FAMILIES, originally isolated by ihe 'calyx '-like 

 character of a receptacular extension, commonly givin:j rise to phenomena of the 

 ' inferior ' ovary, and extended to cover other cases of special receptacular develop- 

 ments (cf Resales, Lythraceae, Cactaceae, Passifloraceae), are now seen to be a wholly 

 empirical collection of highly specialized floral constructions in which the inferior 

 ovary remains the most readily observed feature of the floral organization, also affect- 

 ing the subsequent formation of the fruit. In such cases other special features pre- 

 viously emphasized acquire a subsidiary significance, as apocarpy (Rosaceae, Legu- 

 minosae), indefinite androecium (Myrtales), even spiral construction of indefinite 

 perianth (Cactaceae), eucycly (Combretaceae), meiocycly (Umbelliferae). Similarlv 

 all stages of reduction (tetramery, dicliny, apetaly) may also obtain in deteriorated 

 mechanisms, and the fruiting-stage may present the full range of variety, from 

 dehiscent carpels and capsules to one-seeded diupes, nuts and achenes. 



So long as the exact relation of these isolated families to other series remains 

 a matter of mere speculation, the section-heading is provisionally retained as the most 

 generally convenient arrangement {Gen. Plant., 1862). 



I. Mjrrtaeeae (72/2750) founded on the Myrtle of S. Europe, and extended 

 along simihir lines to a great tree-group with opposite gland-dotted leaves, a flower 

 witli indefinite stamens in tassel-formation, offering abundant pollen, no nectary, 

 a sjncarpous ovary with axile-placentation, and a single style. The floral organization 

 is thus fundamentally Cistifloral (cf. Guttiferae), but the gynoecium shows further 

 advance in the complete ' fusion ' of the style (with no trace of vestigial carpels), and 

 the pocket-formation of the inferior ovary. Individual genera may present further 

 elaborations of the type : — • 



Eugenia caryophyUata, Clove {Jam/josa Caryophyllus), cult, in Tropics ; ever- 

 green widi decussate leaves and axillary clusters of few flowers ; tetramerous, receptacle- 

 tube and sepals crimson, unopened buds (12 mm.) collected for eugenol ; petals pink, 

 shed as a cap on opening (5 mm.) ; stamens inarched in bud, divergent in flower as 

 tassel-cluster, 8 mm. over all ; single stout style, 3 mm., ovary with many ovules : 

 fruit of enlarged receptacle, indehiscent, with 4 apical calyx-teeth : cf. ^nge'm'a-forms 

 with free petals (62^), /awipsa, petals shed as cap (120), »Sj'?JS'""''. corolla a fused cap 

 (140). 



Eugenia Jamhos. Rose-Apple, a small tree, cult. : the more generalized type ; 

 flowers large, greenish-white, 2-3 in. diam. ; 5 petals free, stamens indef. tassel, 

 40 mm.; carpels 2. style 40 mm. : Fruit a berry-form, 1-2 in. diam., pink, edible. 



Eugenia Jambolana ( = Syzygium), a large evergreen tree, cult, and widely 

 distributed : Petals fused as a ' caljptra ' thrown off on expansion in one piece, 

 stamens as awhile cluster: Fruit a purple-black drupe, juicy and edible, -J-i^ in. long, 

 with I or more seeds ; taken by birds and flying foxes. 



Eucalyptus, a great Australian genus (i6o) of tall evergreen trees, growth rapid, 

 many introduced, cf. : — 



E. globulus. Blue Gum of SE. Australia, cult, in Nilgiris, a tall tree with 

 dimorphic foliage (juvenile leaves only decussate and waxy blue) ; flowers large, showy, 

 1-2 in. leaf-axils; sepals obscure, petals fused in massive calyptra, stamens indef. in 

 tassel-formation, spreading; ovary 3-6 locular, many ovules ; style simple : fruit hard 

 and sclerosed, dehiscing apically ; seeds numerous, small. 



E. amygdaliiia, Red Gum, the tallest Dicot. 300 ft., similar in flower and fruit. 

 PsidiumGuayava, S. American tree, Guava, cult. ; flowers white, i^ in. diam. ; 

 fruit enlarged inlerior ovary, as succulent edible berry-type, 2 in. 



Lecythidaceae (18/130), based on S. American Lccylhis, and separated by 

 leaves spirally arranged, not gland-dotted, otherwise highly specialized lines of 

 tropical forest-trees ; organization essentially Cistifloral, with characteristic specializa- 

 tion in androecium : cf. Lecylhis, INIonkey Pot ; Couroupita guianensis, small trees, 

 flower massive, 5-6 merous, 3-4 in. diam.; the receptacle is extended unilaterally to 



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