216 DRYMYRHIZE^E. MARANTACE^E. 



56. DRYMYRHIZE.E. 



Calyx superior, tubular, 3-cleft. Corolla tubular, 

 with six segments in two series, irregular. Stamens 

 3, distinct, but reduced to one by abortion of the 

 two lateral stamens, the remaining one placed opposite 

 the labellum of the corolla ; filament sometimes extended 

 as an appendage to the anther ; lobes of the anther often 

 embracing the upper part of the style. Ovarium three 

 celled or imperfectly so ; ovules numerous on a cen- 

 tral placenta. Fruit capsular, rarely fleshy, three- celled, 

 many seeded. Albumen farinaceous or horny. 



Herbaceous plants with a creeping rhizoma some- 

 times jointed; the leaves alternate and sheathing. Al- 

 lied to the next family Marantacese. 



Geographical Relations. Tropical plants. 



Properties. Aromatic and stimulating. 



Officinal Plants. 



Alpinia cardamomum. 

 Zingiber officinale. 



N 57. MARANTACE^l. 



The members composing this tribe have been sepa- 

 rated from Drymyrhizese, from having the two lateral 

 segments of the inner series of the corolla different from 

 each other, the filament petaloid, the anther one- 

 celled, and from being destitute of pungency. 



Officinal Plant. 

 Maranta arundinaceee. 



