ORDER CXIX. — SMILACE^. 517 



MONOCOTYLED'ON^'E. 



Trunk usually cylindrical, with no distinction of pith, wood, 

 and bark. Leaves with simple, parallel veins running from the 

 base to the apex of the leaf, usually alternate. Embryo with 1 

 cotyledon, or if more than 1, alternate. Radical inclosed in a 

 sheath, through which it bursts in germination. 



I. DICTYOGEN'E^. 



(From dictuon, a net, and genncein, to produce, the leaves being net-veined.) 



Monocotyledonous plants, with reticulated veined leaves, anc" 

 with the roots resembling, in some respects, dicotyledons. 



Order CXVIIL— DIOSCOREA'CEtE. {Yam Tribe.) 



Flowers dioecious. Perianth superior, 6-cleft, equal. ^/«- 

 mens 6, inserted into the base of the perianth. Ovary 3-celled, 

 with 1 — 2 ovules in a cell. Style deeply 3-parted. Stigmas 

 simple. Fruit a thin, compressed capsule. Seed flat. Fni- 

 hryo small. Twining, herbaceous plants, with reticulated 

 leaves. 



Genus L— DIOSCORE'A. L. 20—6. 

 (From Dioscorides, a Greek physician.) 



Genus samb as the Order. 



1. D. viLLo'sA, (L) Stein herbaceous, climbing over shrubs, terete. 

 Leaves alternate, opposite, and verticillate ; the lower verticilhite, the 

 upper alternate, cordate, acuminate, 9-nerved, pubescent beneath. 

 Sterile flowers iu axillary panicles, small ; fertile flowt-rs in simple ra- 

 cemes. Styles 3. Capsule 3-celled, 3-winired, 2-seedeil. — White. 2;. 

 May — July. Sandy soils. Common. 10 — 12 feet. Yam-root. 



2. D. quaterna'ta, (Walt.) Stern climbing. Leaves verticillate or 

 alternate, cordate, acuminate, glabrous, 7-nerved ; lateral nerves bifid. 

 —White. If. July. Old fields. 6—8 feet. 



Order CXIX.— SMILA'CE^. {SarsapariUa Family.) 



Flowers dioecious or perfect. Perianth petaloid, 4 — G-partod. 

 Stamens 4 — 6, inserted into the base of the perianth. Ovary 

 3-celled, 1 or many seeded. Style usually .'i-partrd. Stiymas 

 3. Fridt baccate. Seeds with a membranaceous testa, shrub- 

 by or herbaceous, often climbing. Leaves reticulated. 



