282 ORDER 37. RUTACE^E. 



Pistils 2 to 5, separate or combined into a compound ovary, with as many cells, sessile 

 or raised on a stipe (gynophore) ; styles mostly cohering. Fruit capsular, or separat- 

 ing into its component 1 or 2-seeded carpels. 



Genera 70, specie* 500 or more, generally natives of S. America and the temperate climes 

 of other lands, low in N. America. They are generally possessed of a strongly aromatic, pun' 

 gent taste or fetid odor, antispasmodic and tonic properties. 



SUBORDERS AND GENERA. 

 KUTE^E. Flowers perfect. (Herbs. Stamens 10). 



Petals equal, concave. Capsule 5-lobed RCTA 1 



Petals unequal, clawed. Capsules separable .... DICTAMNCS 2 

 XANTHOXYLE JE. Flowers ? 5 $, . (Trees, shrubs.) 



Pistils 35, separate below. Stamens 33. . XANTIIOXYLUM 3 



Pistils 2, united. Samara 2-seeded PTELEA 4 



Pistils 3 to 5, separate. Samara 1 -socded AILANTIIUS 5 



1. RUTA, L. RUE. Calyx of 4 to 5 sepals, united at base ; petals 

 4 5, concave, obovate, distinct, torus surrounded by 10 nectariferous 

 pores; stamens 10 ; capsule lobed. H Herbaceous or shrubby, mostly 

 European. 



R. gravdolens L. COMMON RUE. Suffruticous, nearly glabrous ; Ivs. 2 to 

 3-pinnately divided, segments oblong, obtuse, terminal ones obovate-cuneate, all 

 entire or irregularly cleft; fls. terminal, corymbous; pet. entire. Native of S. 

 Europe. St. branched, 3 to 4f high. Lfis. 6 to 10" by 2 to 4", conspicuously 

 dotted. Corolla yellow, 6" diam. Jn. Sept. \. 



2. DICTAMNUS, L. FRAXINELLA. Calyx of 5, deciduous sepals ; 

 petals 5, unguiculate, unequal ; filaments 10, declinate, with glandular 

 dots ; capsules 5, slightly united. U Herbs native of Germany. 



D. dlbus Willd. St. simple ; Ivs. pinnate, the rachis more or less winged ; fls. 

 in a large, terminal, erect panicle. In gardens. Sts. 1 to 2f high. Fls. showy, 

 white, varying to rose-color and purple. The whole plant emits a lemon-scented, 

 aromatic, volatile oil, which is, of course, inflammable, but probably does not, as 

 once affirmed, render the air (about it) inflammable. (D. Fraxinella Link.) 



ft RUBRA. Fls. purple ; rachis of the leaves winged. 



3. XANTHOXYLUM, L. PRICKLY ASH. (Gr. favObg, yellow, #3Aov, 

 wood.) Sepals 4 or 5 ; petals 4 or 5, or wanting ; stamens as many as 

 the petals in , rudimentary in ? ; pistils 3 to 5, distinct below, with 

 coherent styles, in fruit crustaceous ; 2-valved, 1 or 2-seeded. Shrubs 

 or trees with sharp prickles, pinnate leaves, and small, greenish 

 flowers. 



1 X. Americanum Miller. Prickly; Ifls. ovate, subentire, sessik, equal at base ; 

 umbels axillary ; sepals 5, petaloid, petals wanting (more properly petals 5, calyx 

 wanting). A shrub 10 or 12f high, found in woods in most parts of the U. S. 

 The branches are armed with strong, conical, brown prickles, with a broad base. 

 Lfts. about 5 pairs, with an odd one, smooth above, downy beneath ; common 

 petioles, with or without prickles. Fls. im small, dense umbels, axillary, greenish, 

 appearing before the leaves ; seeds large, black. The bark is bitter, aromatic, and 

 stimulant, used for rheumatism and to alleviate the toothache. Apr., May. 



2 X. Carolinianum Lam. Prickly ; Ifts. falcate-lanceolate, very inequilateral, 

 petiolulate; fls. in terminal, umbel-like panicles; sep. minute. Southern States. 

 Tree attaining considerable size. Some in woods N. of Montgomery, Ala., aro 

 nearly 40f high, with trunk 10 or 12' diam. Bark light gray, with the prickles 

 protruding through large, corky cones. Lvs. 6 to 15' long, smooth and shining 

 both sides. Lfts. 7 to 13, obscurely crenate-serrate, only the odd ona equilateral. 

 Fls. numerous, globular, finally expanded, and the 5 stamens exserted. Bark 



