A SYNOPSIS OF THE PLANT KINGDOM 



21 



ual, regular, small, and inconspicuous; perianth of 6 

 similar parts, in 2 series; stamens usually 6, or the 3 

 inner staminodia; ovary inferior, 3-celled, rarely 1- 

 celled; placenta; axile or parietal; ovules 2 in each 

 cell, superposed, anatropous; stigmas 3, or each 2- 

 parted: fruit a capsule or berry; seed albuminous. 



Nine genera and about 170 species, of which 150 

 belong to the genus Dioscorea, are distributed very 

 generally in the tropics and in the subtropics, and 

 extend sparingly into the north temperate zone. They 

 are most abundant in South America and the West 

 Indies. One species reaches north to southern New 

 England. The family is related to the Amaryllidaceae 

 arid Liliaceas. The climbing habit, peculiar leaves, 

 definite stamens, inferior 3-celled ovary, and 2 albumi- 

 nous seeds are distinctive. Most Dioscoriaceae spring 

 from a tuberous base, which is sometimes very large 

 and conspicuous. Odd tubers are borne in the leaf- 

 axils of species of Dioscorea and Rajania. 



The tuberous root of Dioscorea Batatas yields the 

 yams of eastern commerce, a very important article 

 of food in the Far East. Those of several other species, 

 including our own native D. villosa, are also cultivated 

 in various parts of the tropics. The leaves of some 

 species are used in intermittent fevers. The tubers of 

 Tamim com munis were formerly employed as a pur- 

 gative, and were also applied to bruises, hence the 

 name "beaten woman's herb." The shoots are eaten 

 like asparagus. 



Two genera are in cultivation in the United States, 

 mostly in the South: Dioscorea (Yam, Chinese Potato, 

 Cinnamon Vine, Air Potato); Testudinaria (Hottentot's 

 Bread, Tortoise Plant, Elephant's Foot), rarely grown. 



41. Iridaceas (from the genus Iris, the rainbow). 

 IRIS FAMILY. Fig. 12. Herbs or sub-shrubs with fibrous 

 roots or often tuberous rootstocks (corms): leaves 

 mostly basal, equitant, linear: flowers usually showy, 

 bisexual, regular or irregular, epigynous, each with 2 

 spathc-like bracts; perianth of 6 petaloid parts in 2 

 series, usually unlike, generally connate into a tube; 

 stamens 3, the inner whorl wanting, separate or con- 

 nate; anthers extrorse; ovary inferior, 3-celled, rarely 

 1-celled; ovules few to many, anatropous; style 1; stig- 

 mas 3: fruit a capsule; seeds albuminous. 



The iris family has 57 genera and about 1,000 species 

 of wide distribution. The two main centers are the 

 Cape of Good Hope and subtropical America. The 

 family is not plainly related to any other, perhaps most 

 closely to the Amaryllidaceje. The ensiform equitant 

 leaves, the 6-parted showy perianth, the 3 extrorse 

 stamens, and the inferior 3-celled ovary, are together 

 characteristic. 



The rootstocks of many Iridaceae are purgative and 

 diuretic, e. g., Iris florentina, I. germanica, I. pallida, 

 and /. versicolor. The rootstock of I. florentina is 

 fragrant and used for sachet perfume and tooth-powder 

 (orris root). /. Pseudacorus and /. versicolor have been 

 used for dropsy and diarrhea. /. f&'.idissima was an 

 ancient remedy for scrofula and hysteria. The stigmas 

 of Crocus sativus have been renowned since earliest 

 times as an emmenagogue; they are deep orange in 

 color, and used also in dyeing and as a condiment. Iris- 

 green of the painters was prepared by treating violet 

 iris flowers with lime. The seeds of /. Pseudacorus have 

 been used as a substitute for coffee. The rootstocks of 

 Homeria cottina of South Africa are very poisonous. The 

 family contains many well-known ornamental plants. 



In America, many genera are in cultivation, all for 

 ornamental purposes. Among these are: Belamcanda 

 (Blackberry Lily, Leopold Flower); Crocus; Freesia; 

 Gladiolus; Hermodactylus (Snake's-head Iris); Iris 

 (Fleur-de-lis, Iris, Glad win); Ixia; Moraa (Wedding 

 Iris) ; Schizostylis (Crimson Flag) ; Sisyrinchium (Blue- 

 eyed Grass, Satin Flower, Rush Lily) ; Sparaxis (Wand 

 Flower); Tigridia (Tiger Flower, Shell Flower); Tri- 

 tonia (Blazing Star). 



Order 20. SCITAMINE.E 



42. Musaoeae (from the genus Musa, the Arabic 

 name). BANANA FAMILY. Fig. 12. Large, semi-ligne- 

 ous herbs, the stout stem enveloped at base by the 

 sheathing petioles, unbranched: leaves alternate, entire, 

 convolute, pinnately parallel-veined: flowers bisexual, 

 or unisexual, irregular, epigynous, borne in the axil of 

 a bract in spikes with subtending spathes; nectaries 

 ovarian; perianth of 6 parts, in 2 series, the parts un- 

 equal in size and shape, separate or variously united; 

 stamens 6, 5 fertile and 1 staminodium; ovary inferior, 

 3-celled; ovules solitary and basal, or numerous and 

 axile, anatropous; style 1; stigmas usually 3: fruit 



6b 



12. TACCACE.E; 1. Tacca, flower. DIOSCOREACE*: 2. Dios- 

 corea, leaf and fruit. IRIDACE.E: 3. Crocus, o, vertical section 

 whole plant; 6, floral diagram. 4. Sisyrinchium, flower. MOSA- 

 c],!:: 5. Musa; a, flower, *t., stamen; h, floral diagram. ZIN- 

 GIBERACE.E: 6. Zingiber, a, flower; St., stamen; 6, floral diagram. 



fleshy and pulpy or drupaceous, indehiscent, dehiscent 

 or separating into fruitlets; seeds with perisperm; 

 embryo straight. 



Six genera and about 60 species occur, 30 of which 

 belong to the genus Heliconia and 20 to Musa, of gen- 

 eral tropical distribution. Fossil species are known. 

 The family is related to the Marantaceae, Zingiberaceae 

 and Cannaceae; with the last it is often united. These 

 families all have irregular flowers of the same type, and 

 inferior ovaries; but the Musaceae differ in their 

 slightly differentiated calyx and corolla, in the 5 fertile 

 stamens, and in the absence of aromatic principles. 



The banana (Musa paradisiaca, M. sapientum, etc.) 

 is the most important economic plant, the fruit of 

 which is widely used for food. The pith of the stem, 

 top of the floral spike, and also the shoots, are eaten as 

 vegetables. The fibers from the petioles of Musa textilis 

 are made into thread and fabrics. The leaves are used 

 to thatch huts. The traveler's tree (Ravenala mada- 

 gascariensis) holds sufficient water at the leaf bases to 

 serve for drink. The water is obtained by boring the 

 sheath. The seeds of this tree are eaten. 



Four genera are in cultivation in the South and in 

 conservatories, for ornament; and one also, Musa, for 

 the fruit: Heliconia (Balisier, Wild Plantain) ; Musa (Ba- 

 nana, Plantain Tree, Chumpa, Adam's Fig) ; Ravenala 

 (Traveler's Tree); Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise Flower). 



43. Zingiberacese (from the genus Zingiber, the Indian 



