GERANIACE^E 301 



GERANIACE^: 



Examples : 



AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA, L., a small densely branched 

 tree with alternate, exstipulate, imparipinnate leaves. 

 Leaflets ovate or ovate, lanceolate, acute. 



Flowers in panicled cymes, small, regular. Sepals 

 five, petals five. Stamens ten, connected at the base, 

 free above five without anthers. Ovary five-celled^ 

 with five styles, each with a capitate stigma. Fruit 

 a five-lobed berry, three inches long. Seeds numerous 

 yellow and with two-lobed aril. 



The other species of this genus which is also culti- 

 vated in Indian gardens, A. BILIMBI, L. differs in the 

 shape of the leaflets, which are narrower and longer 

 in their pubescence, and in the seeds being without 

 aril. 



OXALIS CORNICULATA, L., a very common weed, with 

 creeping stem, and alternate three-foliate, long-petioled 

 leaves which have a pleasant acid taste, for which 

 they are used in cooking, etc. Stipules adnate to the 

 petiole, leaflets obcordate, pubescent. 



Flowers two or more together on axillary peduncles, 

 yellow. Sepals five, petals five, obcordate, stamens 

 ten united at the base but free above. Ovary five- 

 celled with five styles, and capitate stigmas. Fruit a 

 loculicidal, oblong-shaped capsule, whicb bursts open 

 suddenly along five vertical lines and ejects the seeds. 



IMPATIENS BALSAMINA, L., the common single Bal- 

 sam of our gardens, an annual herb. The leaves are 

 alternate, simple, subsessile, oblanceolate, serrate. 



