A SYNOPSIS OF THE PLANT KINGDOM 



37 



ual, more or less irregular; sepals 3-8, usually 4; petals 

 4-8, rarely 0, hypogynous or perigynous; disk ring-like 

 or scale-like or tubular at the base of the petals; sta- 

 mens 6, rarely 4 or many; carpels 2 or more; ovary 

 1- to several-celled, usually raised on an outgrowth 

 (gynophore) of the pedicel-like axis, which may become 

 much elongated in fruit; ovules numerous; style 1 orO; 

 stigmas 1 to several: fruit a capsule, silique, berry or 

 drupe; embryo usually coiled. 



Thirty-four genera and about 350 species occur, 

 mostly of tropical and subtropical distribution. They 

 extend to Australia, the African deserts and into the 

 western and eastern United States. The family is very 

 closely related to the Crucifersc and certain forms are 

 difficult to distinguish from that family. The non- 

 tetradynamous stamens, and commonly 1-celled ovary 

 are distinctive. The gynophore is often very long, 

 slender and conspicuous, and sometimes (Gynandrop- 

 sis) carries up the stamens along with the pistil. The 

 detailed variation in the flower is very intricate. 



Several genera are cultivated as ornamental plants. 

 The acrid oil in the fruit is stimulating, as in the Cruci- 

 ferse, and for this reason several genera have been used 

 in medicine (Cleome, Polanisia, Capparis, etc). Cap- 

 pans spinosa of the Mediterranean region furnishes the 

 capers of commerce, which are flower-buds preserved 

 in salt and vinegar. 



As garden plants, a few genera are in the American 

 trade: Cleome (Bee or Spider Plant), ornamental; 

 Gynandropsis, ornamental; Capparis (Caper Plant), 

 shrubby, grown in this country for ornament as well as 

 for food; and Cratajva, shrubby, grown in southern 

 California. 



89. Resedaceae (from the genus Reseda which is from 

 the Latin, to calm, in allusion to supposed quieting 

 properties). MIGNONETTE FAMILY. Herbs or shrubs: 

 leaves usually alternate: flowers mostly bisexual, more 

 or less irregular; calyx persistent, 4-8-parted, irregu- 

 lar; petals 0-8, alternating with the sepals; stamens 

 3-40, inserted within an irregular fleshy disk; carpels 

 2-6, free, or united into a 1-celled ovary which is often 

 imperfectly closed at the top; placenta: 2-6, parietal; 

 ovules many; styles or sessile stigmas 3-6: fruit usually 

 a dehiscent capsule, rarely a berry, or composed of 

 separate follicles; seeds reniform, without endosperm; 

 embryo curved. 



About 45 species and 6 genera occur, mainly dis- 

 tributed about the Mediterranean Sea. This family is 

 allied to the Crucifer and Capparidacex, from which 

 it differs principally in general character. The extra- 

 staminal disk, the numerous stamens, the 1-celled 

 ovary or ovaries with parietal placenta, and the usually 

 gaping summit of the ovary are distinctive. 



Reseda Luteola (Dyer's weed) yields a yellow dye 

 which was formerly much used. R. odorata (mignon- 

 ette), a plant cultivated since early times, and whose 

 origin was long considered unknown, although probably 

 Egyptian, is extensively cultivated for the fragrance of 

 its flowers. 



90. Moringacese (from the genus Moringa, derived 

 from the Malabar name of the plant). MOHINGA 

 FAMILY. Trees, with 2-3-pinnate alternate leaves: 

 flowers bisexual, irregular, perigynous; sepals 5, 

 imbricated; petals 5, imbricated, unequal, lower 

 reflexed; stamens 8-10, separate or united at the base, 

 alternate ones shorter or reduced to staminodia;- sub- 

 ovarian disk present, lining the cup; ovary borne on a 

 gynophore, 1-celled; placenta! 3; ovules numerous; 

 style 1: fruit a silique-like capsule. 



There is but one genus, containing 3 species, natives 

 of northeastern Africa and India. The family is dis- 

 tinct, not related closely to any other, perhaps dis- 

 tantly related to the Bignpniacea;, the Capparidacea;. 

 the Violacea;, or the Leguminosea;. Provisionally placed 

 by Engler and Prantl between the Poppy group of 

 families and the Rose group. 



Moringa arabica of Arabia (ben-nut) yields a useful 

 oil which does not become rancid. The root of one 

 species is used in intermittent fevers. A tragacanth- 

 like gum exudes from the bark of M . oleifera. 



M. oleifera (horse-radish tree) is grown sparingly 

 in the southern United States. The fruits and the 

 roots are edible. 



Order 36. SABKACENIALES 



91. Sarraceniaceae (from the genus Sarracenia, in 

 honor of Dr. Sarracin, an early physician of Quebec, 

 who sent the northern species to Europe). PITCHER- 

 PLANT FAMILY. Fig. 25. Perennial herbs inhabiting 

 bogs: leaves all basal, tubular: scapes 1-flowered; flow- 

 ers bisexual, regular; sepals 4-5, imbricated; petals 5, 

 hypogynous, or 0; stamens many but not apparently 

 either cyclic or spiral; ovary superior, 3-5-, rarely 6-, 

 celled; ovules numerous; style 1; stigmas 1-5: fruit a 

 capsule. 



The Sarraceniacese has 3 genera and 8 species, of 

 which 6 belong to the genus Sarracenia; all American. 

 Heliamphora is in British Guiana, Darlingtonia in 

 California, and Sarracenia in Atlantic North America 

 from Newfoundland to Florida. The family is most 

 closely related to the Droseracese and Nepenthacese, 

 but also to the Papaveracese and Nymphseacese. 



The Sarraceniaceae are far-famed as insectivorous 

 plants. The pitchers are partly filled with a liquid con- 

 taining a digestive enzyme. Small insects which fall 

 into the liquid, or are attracted by a sugary secretion, 

 and are unable to escape because of various devices, 

 are at length digested and absorbed. Like the sun- 



25. SARRACENIACE*: 1. Sarracenia; a, flower; 6, leaves. NEPEN- 

 THACE*: 2. Nepenthes; a, female flower; 6, leaf. DHOSERACE.E: 

 3. Drosera; a, flower; 6, floral diagram.; c, leaf. 4. DionsBa, leaf. 5. 

 Aldrovanda, leaf. 



dews, these plants can inhabit soils poor in nitrates. 

 The remarkable umbrella-shaped style, and fiddle- 

 shaped petals of Sarracenia are part of a very interest- 

 ing mechanism for cross-pollination. 



The family is of little economic importance. The 

 rhizome of Sarracenia purpurea was used in Canada as 

 a specific against smallpox, but did not prove of value. 

 Darlingtonia californica and species of Sarracenia 

 are in the trade because of their peculiar habits and. 

 structure, and then- botanical interest. They are grown 

 mainly in the greenhouse. 



