LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY. 17' 



XLVI. LYTHRACEiE, LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY. 



Trees or lierbs with the 1— i-eelled, many-seeded ovar}- ;ind 

 pod usually free from, but mostly inclosed in, the tube of the 

 calyx, the leaves not punctate, mostly opposite and entire, tlie 

 stamens on the throat of the calyx, Avith anthers opening 

 lengthwise. Flowers perfect, often dimorphous or trimor- 

 phous. To this family is now appended the Pomegranate, 

 which, although peculiar, is nearer to this than to the Myrtle 

 Family, to which it is often referred. 



§ 1. Ocary coherent with the calyx tube, becoming a fleshy fruit. Small tree. 



1. PU^IU'A. Calyx tube colored (scarlet), thick and coriaceous, its top-shaped base cohe- 



rent with the ovary, above enlarjred and 5-7-lobed ; its throat bearing the 5-7 petals 

 and very many incurved stamens. Style slender. Ovary with many cells in two 

 sets, one above the other, and very many ovules in each. Fruit large, globular, 

 crowned with the calyx lobes, berry -like, but with a h.ard rind ; the numerous seeds 

 coated with a juicy edible pulp. 



§ 2. Ovary free from the calyx tube, becoming a \-6 celled pod. 

 * Stamens indefinitely numerous. Small tree. 



2. LAGEKSTKCEMLV. Calyx 6-lobed. Petals 6, very wavy-crisped, raised on slender 



claws, borne on the throat of the calyx. Stamens borne in the bottom of the calyx, 

 very long and slender, 6 outermost larger than the rest. Style very slender. Pod 

 oblong, thick, many-seeded, 3-G-celled, only the base covered by the persistent calyx. 

 ** Stamens i-\C>, only as many or twice as many as the lobes of the calyx, inserted 

 lower down than the jiettds. Herbs or nearly so; calyx mostly ivith projecting 

 folds, or accessory teeth between the proper teeth or lobes. 

 +- Flowers regular or nearly so ; pod many seeded, included in the calyx. 

 ++ Stamens 4. 



3. ROT.VLA. Calyx short, bell-shaped, or nearly globose, with tooth-liko ai)pendages at 



the sinuses. Stiimens short. Petals 4. Capsule globular and 4-oelle(l, ticiitieidal. 

 Leaves (in ours) opposite. 



4. AMMANNIA. Calyx short, 4-angled, generally with a horn-like appendage at each 



sinus. Petals 4 and small, or none. Pod globular, '.M-celled, opening irregularly. 

 Leaves oi)posite, narrow. 



++ -ti- Stamens more than 4. 



5. LYTHRUM. Calyx cylindrical, 8-12-ribbed or striate, with a minute appendage in eacli 



sinus. Petals 5-7, mostly 6. Stamens 5-U. Style slender. Pod oblong, 2-celleil. 

 Leaves sessile. 



6. DECODON. Calyx short, bell-shai)ed, or hemispherical, with prominent projections 



between the teeth. Stamens 8 or 10 (rarely more), twice as many as the petals, in 'J 

 sets, with long projecting filaments. Style slender. Pod globular, 3-5-celled. Leaves 

 mostly whorled in threes, or opposite. Flowers triraori)hous. 



■f- +- Flowers irregular ; pod mostly few-seeded. 

 1. CUPIIK.X. Calyx elongated, mostly many-ribbed, gibbous, sjuirred, or with a sac-like 

 projection at base on the upper side, oblique at the mouth, which has 6 proper 

 teeth, and usually as many intermediate accessory ones or processes. Petals mostly 

 6, with claws, and very unequal, the two upper ones larger ; sometimes all or part 

 wanting. Stamens 11 or 12, unequal. Ovary Hat, 2-eelled, but one cell smaller and 

 sterile or empty. Pod inclosed in the calyx, and bursting through it on the lower side. 

 GF.W'S F. F. & (!. EOT. —12 



