DICOTYLEDONES 



441 



Fio. 435. A-C, Dirca Palustris. D-H, Epilobium spicatum. 



The flowers are perigynous or epigynous, and sometimes the petals are wanting 

 (Eucalyptus). Where the petals are absent, their function as attractive organs 

 is taken by the numerous white or red stamens, which render the flowers very 

 conspicuous. 



Thymelaeineae. Of the 

 suborder Thymelaeineae two fam- 

 ilies occur within the United 

 States. The Thymelseaceae are 

 represented by the Moose-wood 

 (Dirca, Fig. 435), the Elseag- 

 nacese by species of Elseagnus 

 and Shepherdia. 



Myrtineae. The suborder 

 Myrtineae comprises, among 

 others, the Loosestrife family 

 (Lythraceae), Pomegranate 

 family (Punicaceae), Mangrove 

 family (Rhizophoraceae), Myr- 

 tle family (Myrtaceae), Melas- 

 tomaceae, and Onagraceae. 



The Myrtle family is very 

 largely tropical and comprises 

 many beautiful and useful trees, Fio. 436. Punica granatum. 



