388 



MALPIGHIACE^E. 



[Hypogynous Exogens. 



Order CXXXIX. MALPIGHIACE^.— Malpighiads. 



Malpighiacese, Just. Gen. 252. (1789) ; Ann. Mus. 18. 479 ; DC. Prodr. 1. 577 ; Endl. Gen. ccxxviii. ; 

 Adrien de Jussieu, Monogr. (1843) ; Wight lllust. 1. 136.— Nitrariaceae, Ed. pr. No. cxlix. (1830). 



Diagnosis. — Sapindal Exogens, with complete, partially symmetrical flowers, an imbri- 

 cated calyx, naked stalked petals, ovules hanging by cords, simple stigmas, and 

 usually a convolute embryo. 



Trees or shrubs, often having a climbing habit. The leaves usually opposite or 

 whorled, rarely alternate, simple, usually entire, generally stalked, and having glands on 



CCLXXII. 



Fig. CCLXXI 



the stalk or under side ; 

 stipules generally short and 

 deciduous, occasionally 

 larger, and intrapetiolar. 

 If there are any hairs they 

 are fixed by their middle, 

 and sometimes are stiff and 

 brittle. The inflorescence 

 is variable. The flowers 



° r 6* - • ¥ f Te &> or more 

 commonly yellow, rarely 

 white, and very rarely 

 blue ; in a few instances 

 abortive green flowers are intermixed with the perfect 

 ones. Calyx 5-parted, with conspicuous glands at the 

 base of one or all the segments, very rarely without 

 glands ; in aestivation quincuncial, seldom valvate. 

 Petals 5, unguiculate, with a convolute aestivation. 

 Stamens mostly double the number of the petals, often monadelphous, usually with a 

 fleshy connective that projects beyond the lobes of the anthers. Carpels generally 3, 

 rarely 2, very rarely 4, altogether or partially consolidated, often crested at the back ; 

 ovules solitary, orthotropal, rising up from a long pendulous cord, with which they form 

 a sort of hook ; styles distinct or united ; stigmas the same number, simple, capitate, 

 truncate, or variously expanded. Fruit very various ; a drupe, or a woody nut, or sama- 

 roid, the wings of different forms and in different positions. Seed suspended obliquely 

 by a short cord below the apex ; albumen ; embryo with a short superior radicle and 



Fig. CCLXXI. — Diplopteris paralias; 1. a flower-bud, showing the double glands of the calyx; 2. an 

 expanded flower ; 3. the carpels ; 4. ripe fruit of Ryssopteris timorensis. 



Fig CCLXXII. — Jubelina riparia, after A. de Jussieu. 



Fig. CCLXXIIL— 1. Section of ovary of Malpighia; 2. of Coleostachys ; 3. embryo of Burdachia ; 4 

 of Byrsonima ; 5. of Brachypterys. — A. de Jussieu. 



Fig. CCLXXIII. 



