454 



BOTANY 



They are probably reduced forms. The principal genus is Plantago, represented 

 by the common Plantain (P. major) and several other weedy species. 



Order VII. Rubiales 



There are five families included in the Rubiales. The family Rubiaceae is the 

 most important, and contains many genera and species, especially in the Tropics. 

 Of the common genera there may be mentioned Houstonia (Fig. 445, A), Galium, 

 and Cephalanthus. The Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliacese) includes various 



FIG. 444. A-(J, Tecoma radicans. D, Verbascum blattaria, showing the rudi- 

 mentary fifth stamen, st. E-G, Veronica scutellata. 



species of Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Viburnum, Elder (Sambucus), Snow-berry 

 (Symphoricarpus), some other shrubs and small trees. The beautiful little 

 Twin-flower (Linnsea) also belongs to the Caprifoliaceae. 



To the Valerianaceae belong the species of Valerian (Fig. 445, G), and to the 

 Dipsacacese, the Teazel (Dipsacus) and the garden Scabious. 



The Rubiacese, and some of the Caprifoliacese, have actinomorphic flowers ; in 

 the others zygomorphy is very pronounced, and may be (Valerian) accompanied 

 by a reduction in the number of stamens. The flowers are always epigynous. 



