28 



A SYNOPSIS OF THE PLANT KINGDOM 



valvatc; stamens 4-10, often adnate to the perianth 

 or connate; disk present, diverse; earpels 3, rarely 2-5; 

 ovary superior, 1-celled, rarely falsely 3-5-celled; 

 ovule 1; style 1: fruit usually a drupe inclosed in the 

 accrescent and persistent perianth; seed albuminous. 



Olacaceae has 25 genera and about 140 species of 

 tropical distribution, two of which reach southern 

 Florida. Olax is the largest genus. The Olacacese are 

 related to the Loranthaceae and Santalaceae. 



8 



18. AKISTOLOCHIACE.E: 1. Asarum, a, flower; b f floral diagram. 

 2. Aristoiochia, flower. PoL\aoNACE,E: 3. Fagopyrum, a, flower; 

 6. floral diagram. 4. Polygonum, sheathing stipule. 5. Kumrx, 

 fruiting calyx. CHENOPODIACE.E: 6. Chenopodium, a, flower; 6, 

 fruit. AMARANTACE.E: 7. Amarantus, a, fruit; 6, vertical section 

 seed. 8. Achyranthes, flower. 



The family is of little economic importance. Some 

 species are valuable for their hard timber. The drupes 

 of Ximenia are eaten in Senegal. Olax zeylanica has a 

 fetid wood, used locally for fevers. 



One species, Ximenia americana (hog plum) is 

 native in Florida and the tropics, and is of moderate 

 value for the fruit. 



Order 31. AHISTOLOCHIALES 



63. Aristolochiaceae (from the genus Aristoiochia, 

 in reference to its supposed medicinal properties in 

 connection with child-birth). BIRTH WORT or DUTCH- 

 MAN'S PIPE FAMILY. Fig. 18. Herbs or woody plants, 

 the latter mostly twining: leaves alternate, usually 

 broad and entire: flowers bisexual, epigynous, regular 

 or irregular; perianth of one series, the parts mostly 3, 

 connate, often petaloid, very diverse, sometimes regu- 

 lar with the parts nearly separate, sometimes with a 

 long tube which is swollen below, abruptly curved 

 above, and with an abruptly spreading entire border; 

 stamens 6-36, separate and inserted on the ovary, or 

 united with the style; ovary inferior, rarely superior, 4- 

 or 6-, rarely 5-, celled; ovules many; style 1; stigmas 

 4 or 6: fruit a capsule. 



Five genera and about 210 species are known, 180 

 species of which belong to Aristoiochia. They are dis- 

 tributed in the warm parts of the earth, but are most 

 numerous in South America. Seven or 8 species are 

 native in northeastern North America. The family is 



not definitely related to any oilier, but is placed pro- 

 visionally near the Polygonacee, not however because 

 related to that family, but because equally simple in 

 structure. Three scale-like organs between the perianth 

 and stamens in Asarum are probably true petals. The 

 flowers of most Aristolochiacese are lurid in color and 

 pollinated by flies. Many are carrion-scented and afford 

 an additional attraction for these insects. The perianth 

 in Aristoiochia assumes remarkable shapes, some of 

 which have led to the name "Dutchman's pipe." 



The rootstock of Asorwn canadense (Canada snake- 

 root or wild ginger) is aromatically peppery, and used 

 to flavor wines, the breath, and the like. Aristoiochia 

 reticulata, of Arkansas, and Aristoiochia Serpentaria, of 

 the eastern United States, furnish the serpentaria of 

 medicine, used as a tonic and as a febrifuge. The 

 latter plant is Virginia snakeroot. The common name 

 arises from the reputed efficacy of these plants and 

 other species of the family as remedies for snake-bites. 



The genera in cultivation in America are: Aristoio- 

 chia (Birthwort, Virginia Snakeroot, Dutchman's Pipe, 

 Pelican Flower, Goose Flower), hardy or greenhouse 

 twiners; Asarum (Wild Ginger, Canada Snakeroot), 

 low hardy border herbs. 



Order 32. POLYGONALES 



64. Polygonaceae (from the genus Polygonum, de- 

 rived from the Greek meaning many knees in reference 

 to the swollen joints of some species). BUCKWHEAT 

 FAMILY. Fig. 18. Herbs, shrubs, or trees, sometimes 

 twining: stem often knotty: leaves alternate, rarely 

 opposite, simple, usually with a sheathing stipular 

 growth (ochrea) at the base: flowers bisexual or unisex- 

 ual, regular; perianth apparently of one set, though 

 sometimes in 2 whorls, the parts usually 3, 5, or 6, dis- 

 tinct or connate at base, the inner set sometimes much 

 enlarged and modified with hooks, spines, wings, or 

 tubercles; stamens 1-15, usually 6, 8, or 9, usually op- 

 posite the perianth parts, mostly separate and hypogy- 

 nous; ovary superior or nearly so, compressed or 3- 

 angled, of 2-4-carpels, but 1-celled or falsely 3-celled; 

 ovule solitary; styles and stigmas 2-4: fruit a flat, an- 

 gled, or winged achene; seeds usually not inverted 

 (orthotropous). 



Thirty genera and about 700 species occur, mostly 

 in the north temperate zone of both continents. The 

 largest genera are Polygonum, 150 species; Coccoloba, 

 125 species; Eriogonum, 120 species; and Rumex with 

 100 species. The family is not closely related to any 

 other, but is usually placed near the Chenopodiaceae 

 because of its simple floral structure and for want of a 

 better place. The stipular sheaths or, when absent, the 

 involucrate heads (Eriogonum), and 1-celled fruit with 

 a single orthotropous seed, are distinctive. 



The foliage of the Polygonacese contains an acid, for 

 which reason it is frequently eaten as salads or pot-herbs. 

 Among plants used for this purpose are several species 

 of Rumex, petioles of Rheum Rhaponlicum, and Oxyria. 

 The seeds of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) con- 

 tain much starch and are made into flour. In medi- 

 cine, rhubarb (Rheum officinale), employed as a purge 

 and tonic, has been in use since earliest times, and its 

 origin is lost in antiquity, though probably it is a na- 

 tive of China. Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is a tonic. 

 Smartweed (Polygonum Hydropiper) has an acrid juice 

 that will produce a blister. A blue dye is obtained 

 from P. tinctorium of China. The roots of Calligonum 

 Pallasia are used in Siberia to stay hunger; and the 

 fruits to quench thirst. The astringent drug, bistorta, 

 is from P. Bistorta. The leaves of P. orientate are 

 smoked like tobacco in China. 



Several genera are in cultivation in America for 

 ornament and food. Among these are: Antigonon 

 (Mountain Rose, San Miguclito), very showy climbers; 

 Coccoloba (Sea Grape, Shore Grape, Pigeon Plum), 



