A SYNOPSIS OF THE PLANT KINGDOM 



27 



Order 29. PROTEALES 



59. Proteaceee (from the genus Protect, from Proteus, 

 a self-transforming sea-god, in allusion to the great di- 

 versity of the genus). PROTEA FAMILY. Fig. 17. Shrubs 

 or trees, rarely herbs: leaves alternate: flowers bisexual, 

 rarely unisexual, regular or irregular; perianth of one 

 series, parts 4, separate or variously united, or labiate, 

 valvate; stamens 4, opposite the perianth parts, 

 hypogynous or inserted on the perianth; hypogynous 

 stalk (gynophore) usually developed, often bearing a 

 ring of scales, or swellings, or a cup; carpel 1; ovary 

 superior, 1-celled; ovules 1 to several; style slender; 

 stigma slender or enlarged : fruit unsymmetrical, capsu- 

 lar, drupaceous, or nut-like, or a samara or follicle; 

 seeds sometimes winged. 



There are 49 genera and about 1,000 species, mostly 

 Australian, but many also in South Africa, and a few 

 in South America. The largest genera are Grevillea, 

 with 160 species; and Hakea, with 100 species. The 

 family is perhaps distantly related to the Loranthacese, 

 Santalacese, and Urticacese, but the relationship is 

 little understood. The 4 valvate sepals, 4 stamens, 

 and the unsymmetrical, 1-celled ovary, raised on an 

 appendaged gynophore are distinctive. The small 

 flowers are usually aggregated in heads or spikes 

 surrounded by bracts. The Proteacese, for the most 

 part, inhabit countries in which a very dry windy season 

 alternates with a rainy season, and many of them are 

 white-hairy. 



Grevillea robusta, Knightia excelsa, Embothrium 

 coccineum, Leucospenniun conocarpum (redwood), and 

 Prolea grandijlora (wagen-boom) are useful for timber. 

 The wood of the last species is used for wagon- 

 wheels. The seeds of several species are eaten. A bit- 

 ter principle is found in Leucadendron argenteum of 

 Africa; a gum resin in Grevillea robusta of Australia. 

 A golden dye is obtained from the Australian Persoonia 

 saccate. Gevuina avellana (Chilean hazelnut) furnishes 

 an edible fruit, as does also Brabeium stellatifolium 

 (wild chestnut of South Africa), and Macadamia 

 ternifolia (Queensland nut). Banksia and Protea fur- 

 nish important bee-plants. 



The genera in cultivation in America are mostly the 

 following: Banksia; Gevuina (Chilean Nut, Chile Hazel), 

 grown in California; Grevillea (Silk Oak), in greenhouse 

 and California ; Leucadendron (Silver Tree of the Cape), 

 grown in California; Macadamia (Australian Nut), in 

 southern California; Protea, in southern California; 

 Telopea (Waratah, Warratau), in California. 



Order 30. SANTALAJLES 



60. Loranthaceae (from the genus Loranthus, meaning 

 thong flower, significance not clear). MISTLETOE FAMILY. 

 Fig. 17. Herbs or subshrubs, parasites or half- 

 parasites, with or without chlorophyll, rarely rooted 

 in the earth: leaves usually opposite, rarely alternate, 

 thick and green, or reduced to scales: flowers bisexual 

 or unisexual, usually regular; receptacle of the pistillate 

 flower cup-shaped, united with the ovary; perianth 

 undifferentiated, usually in 2 series of 2 or 3 parts each, 

 of which the outer may be calyx and the inner corolla; 

 stamens as many as the parts of the perianth and oppo- 

 site them, free, or united with the perianth; ovary 1- 

 celled, inferior; ovule 1, orthotropous; stigma 1, often 

 sessile: fruit a 1 -seeded berry. 



The 21 genera and about 600 species are mostly 

 inhabitants of tropical countries, but extend into the 

 temperate zone. One species reaches Newfoundland. 

 Loranthus, the largest genus, contains 200 species, and 

 Phoradendron contains 80 species. The family is 

 related to the Santalacese and Proteacese. The habit, 

 the cup-shaped receptacle, the position and number of 

 the stamens, and the 1-celled, 1-seeded fruit are dis- 

 tinctive. The fruits are often very viscid and easily 

 become fastened to the branches of trees where they 



germinate and grow. The inflorescence is often much 

 reduced and inconspicuous. 



The viscid substance of the fruit is called birdlime, 

 and is used for catching small birds. Various species 

 have been used locally as medicine. The mistletoe 

 (Viscum album) of Europe was worshipped by the 

 Gauls. When gathered from the oak it was considered 

 sacred by the Druids. 



Phoradendron flavescens (American mistletoe) is 

 gathered and sold in the market. 



61. Santalacese (from the genus Santalum, the 

 Latin name for sandal wood). SANDALWOOD FAMILY. 

 A family closely related to the Loranthacese, from which 

 it differs only in the more numerous ovules and the 

 general habit. The Santalaceas are commonly inde- 

 pendent plants or root parasites, while the Loranthaceae 

 are usually aerial parasites. 



The Santalacese consists of 26 genera and about 250 

 species, in the temperate and tropical regions. 



4b 



17. URTICACE^E: 1. Urtioa, a, male flower; 6, female flower; c, 

 female flower, vertical section. PROTEACE.E: 2. Banksia, o, in- 

 florescence; b, flower. 3. Protea, flower. 4. o and 6, pistils of Pro- 

 teaceEe. LORANTHACE.E: 5. Phoradendron, a, inflorescence; b, 

 vertical section inflorescence. OLACACEJC: 6. Liriosma. flower. 7. 

 Lirioama, floral diagram. 



The aromatic and sweet-scented wood of the tree, 

 Santalum album, has been used medicinally, and is 

 used in perfumery and cabinet-making. Other species 

 of Santalum, also of Fusanus, Acanthosyris, Colpoon, 

 and Exocarpus are also used in cabinet work. The 

 sweet flesh of the fruit of some species, the thickened 

 pedicels or oily seeds of others, are edible. 



Queer tendril-like brushes on the fruits of the reduced 

 aerial genus Myzodendron of South America serve as 

 flying organs and later twine about the support. 



Buckleya of the southeastern United States is some- 

 tunes cultivated; also Pyriilaria. 



62. Olacaceae (from the genus Olax, signifying a fur- 

 row, application unknown). OLAX FAMILY. Fig. 17. 

 Trees or shrubs, sometimes twining or climbing, with 

 alternate, entire leaves: flowers mostly bisexual, regu- 

 lar; perianth single, the divisions (sepals?) 4-5, rarely 6, 



