94 



MYSTIlOPETALINzE. [Rhizogens. 



MYSTROPETALIN^E.— /. D. Hooker. 



" A genua of monoecious root-parasites. Stem sheathing, covered with imbricating 

 scales/terininated by a dense-flowered head. Flowers with three villous bractese. 

 Males' on upper part of the spike ; of three valvate sepals connate at the base. 

 Stamens two, inserted on the petals and opposite them ; anthers posticous ; pollen 

 angular. Female flower; perianth superior, tubular, 3-toothed, minute; ovary 1-celled, 

 with one pendulous ovule, seated on a disc ; style filiform ; stigma 3-lobed. Fruit a 

 spherical achene, 1-celled, with one albuminous seed filling the cavity; structure as 

 in Balanophorete. 



" Mystropetalum is well described by Griffith (note in Linnean Transactions, 

 vol. xix. p. 336), who, however, strangely overlooked the pendulous ovule and the 

 embryo, which, though small, is very evident, broad, has a short blunt radicle pointing 

 upwards, and two short broad cotyledons, just as in Gunnera. The testa is a very 

 thin membrane. Albumen of very large hard grains. The genus appears near 

 Lorantbaceic in many respects, and betrays some affinity with Composita3. It is 

 another, in short, of the many incomplete epigynous orders, such as Loranthacese, 

 Siuitalacerc, Cornea?, Araliacea?, Balanophoreae, Gunneraceee, Haloragese, &c. &c, which 

 are all obscure, often imperfect as to floral envelopes and ovules, and of very difficult 

 and uncertain affinity." 



ONLY GENUS. 

 Mystropetaion, Harvey. 



Two species only are known, both natives of S. Africa. 



J. D. Hooker. 



