A SYNOPSIS OF THE PLANT KINGDOM 



65 



gamopetalous, 5-lobed, rarely of separate petals; 

 stamens 5, epipetalous, opposite the corolla lobes, often 

 alternating with staminodia; ovary superior, rarely 

 half-inferior, 1-celled, many-ovuled ; placenta free- 

 central; style and stigma 1: fruit a capsule opening 

 by valves or by a transverse lid. 



The family has 28 genera and about 320 species of 

 more or less cosmopolitan distribution, but most 

 abundant in north temperate regions. It is most 

 closely related to the Myrsinacese and PlumbaginacesE. 

 The herbaceous habit, dehiscent fruit, and many seeds 

 are important distinguishing characteristics. The flow- 

 ers of this family often have styles and stamens of 

 different lengths in the same species (heteromorphic), 

 e. g., Primula. The free-central placentation is charac- 

 teristic of this and related families. 



Rhizomes of Primula were formerly used for diseases 

 of the bladder. Primrose wine is made from the flowers 

 of Primula ojficinalis and P. vulgaris. Rhizomes of 

 Cyclamen are purgative and emetic. In some countries 

 these rhizomes are used to stupefy fish; roasted they 

 become good food for pigs (sowbread of Europe). 

 Other species have been used in medicine. Many are 

 ornamental plants. 



Twelve to 18 genera are in cultivation in North 

 America. Among these are the following well-known 

 names: Cyclamen; Dodecatheon (Shooting-star); An- 

 drosace (Rock Jasmine); Anagallis (Pimpernel, Poor 

 Man's Weather-glass); Hottonia (Featherfoil, Water- 

 Violet, Water-Yarrow) with aquatic inflated stems 

 and fine leaves; Lysimachia (Loosestrife, Moneywort, 

 Creeping Charlie); Primula (Primrose); Soldanella; 

 Stieronema (Loosestrife); Trientalis (Star Flower). 



180. Plumbaginaceae (from the genus Plumbago, 

 from plumbum, lead; perhaps in reference to the lead- 

 like stain given by the roots to the fingers). LEADWORT 

 FAMILY. Fig. 47. Herbs or shrubs: leaves alternate, 

 linear or lanceolate: flowers bisexual, regular; calyx 

 bracteate, 5-fid, usually scarious, and plicate, angled or 

 winged, sometimes colored, persistent; corolla gamo- 

 petalous, or of 5 nearly separate petals, mostly con- 

 volute; stamens 5, epipetalous, opposite the lobes of 

 the corolla; ovary superior, 1-celled; ovule 1, basal; 

 styles 5: fruit a capsule or utricle, invested by the calyx. 



The ten genera and about 250 species, of almost 

 cosmopolitan distribution, are found usually inhabiting 

 seacoasts and alkaline regions; they are most abundant 

 in the Mediterranean region, and in Central Asia. The 

 family is closely related to the PrimulaceiE, but has only 

 one seed. 



A fatty substance in the root of certain Plumbagos 

 gives a lead-colored stain to the fingers and paper. 

 These roots were formerly used for toothache, ulcers, 

 and the like. Beggars are said still to use them to 

 produce sores. The roots of Stalice latifolia of Russia 

 contain tannin and have been used for tanning. 



There are 5 or 6 genera in cultivation in North 

 America; Acantholimon from Armenia, hardy; Armeria 

 (Sea Pink, Thrift) of Europe and Asia, hardy; Cera- 

 tostigma of China, hardy; Plumbago (Leadwort), of 

 Asia, Africa, Australia, mostly of the greenhouse; Statice 

 (Sea Lavender), of Europe, Asia, North America, 

 hardy. Some species of this family are used for dry 

 bouquets. 



Order 48. EBENALES 



181. Sapotaceae (from the old generic name Sapota, 

 derived from a native name of Achras Sapota). SAPO- 

 DILLA FAMILY. Fig. 48. Trees or shrubs; juice milky: 

 leaves alt ornate, entire, coriaceous: flowers usually bi- 

 sexual, axillary, regular; calyx mostly of separate sepals 

 in two whorls of 2, 3, or 4, or in one whorl of 5; corolla 

 gamopetalous ; lobes as many as the sepals, or twice as 

 many, in one or two series, imbricated, sometimes with 

 appendages which simulate extra corolla-lobes; stamens 

 as many as the lobes of the corolla and opposite them, 



5 



sometimes with intermediate staminodia, or twice as 

 many, epipetalous; ovary superior, 4- to many-celled; 

 ovules 1 in each cell, basal; style and stigma 1: fruit 

 a berry. 



There are 31 genera and about 400 species, of tropical 

 distribution, rarely reaching the warm temperate zone. 

 One species extends to Virginia and two to Illinois. 

 This is a distinct family, distantly related to the 

 Myrsinacea;, Ebenaceae, and Styracacese. 



The fruits of Lucuma mammosa (marmalade plum), 

 and Achras Sapota (sapodilla), are very agreeable. 

 Fruits of Illipe and Mimusops, both Asiatic, are 

 edible. The oil from the seeds of the oriental Illipe 

 butyracea and of other species is galam butter, and shea 

 butter. It is used for food and soap. The wood of 

 many species is very hard and valuable so-called 

 ironwoods. Several species of Palaquium of the East 

 Indies yield gutta percha, as do other species of the 

 family. Gum chicle is obtained from Achras Sapota. 

 Star-Apple is Chrysophyllum Cainito. West Indian 

 medlar is Mimusops Elengi. 



Six to 10 genera are in cultivation in North America, 

 mostly in the warmer parts: Mimusops, Lucuma (Mar- 



48. SAPOTACE*;: 1. Lucuma, flower. 2. Sideroxylon, floral 

 diagram. EBENACE^I: 3. Diospyros, a, female flower; 6, floral 

 diagram, female flower. STYBACACE*: 4. Styiai, o, flower; b, 

 cross-section ovary; c, fruit. SYMPLOCACE.E: 5. Symplocos, a, 

 flower; 6, cross-section fruit. 



malade Plum) and Sideroxylon are grown in southern 

 California and Florida ; Dichopsis or Palaquium (wrongly 

 called Isonandra),the commercial gutta percha tree, is 

 cultivated in the South. Bumelia and Chrysophyllum 

 are ornamental, the former hardy to Massachusetts. 



182. Ebenaceee (from the Latin ebenus, meaning 

 ebony). EBONY FAMILY. Fig. 48. Trees or shrubs: leaves 

 alternate, coriaceous, entire: flowers rarely bisexual, 

 usually dioecious, regular; calyx 3-6-parted, persistent; 

 corolla 3-6-lobed, hypogynous, gamopetalous, urceo- 

 late, coriaceous, mostly imbricated and twisted; 

 stamens short, usually double the number of the corolla- 

 lobes, rarely as many or more numerous, hypogynous or 

 epipetalous, separate or united in pairs; ovary superior, 

 2-16-celled, with 1-2 suspended ovules in each cell; 

 styles and stigmas 2-8: fruit berry-like, rarely sub- 

 dehiscent. 



In this family are 5 genera and about 280 species, 

 of which 180 belong to the genus Diospyros; they are 

 inhabitants of tropical and subtropical regions, 

 principally of the eastern hemisphere. The greatest 

 development of the family is in the East Indies and 

 Malay Archipelago. One species of Diospyros occurs 

 in the eastern United States, from Rhode Island south- 

 ward. The family is related to the Styracacese, Sym- 



