DICOTYLEDONES 



449 



Of the Sympetalse, one family, the Composite, is the largest one 

 of all plants, comprising over ten thousand species. 

 Classification. The Sympetalse fall into eight orders. 



* [ Order I. Ericales. 

 g -! Order II. Primulales. 

 S I Order III. Ebenales. 



8 f Order IV. Contortae. 



& Order V. Tubiflorae. 



-! Order VI. Plantaginales. 



| Order VII. Rubiales. 



^ L Order VIII. Campanulatse. 



FIG. 438. A-D, Gaylussacia resinosa. E, Oxydendrum arboreum, single flower, 

 enlarged. F-H, Azalea canescens. I, Kalmia latifolia. J, K, Chimaphila 

 maculata. L, M, Monotropa hypopitys. 



Order I. Ericales 



The Ericales comprise many forms of temperate regions, largely shrubs, but 

 some of them herbaceous forms. Trees are rare, but sometimes they are trees of 

 considerable size, like the beautiful Madrono {Arbutus Menziesii) of the Pacific 

 Coast. 



In a few cases, e.g. Clethra, Monotropa, the petals are quite free, but, more 

 commonly, sympetaly is very complete (Fig. 438). The flowers are always iso- 

 carpous, except in the family Diapensaceae, and the stamens the same in num- 

 ber, or twice as many as the carpels. Both hypogynous and epigynous flowers 

 are found. 



