EUPHORBIACEAE. 



[VOL. II. 



4. Tragia macrocarpa Willd. Twining or 

 Large-fruited Tragia. (Fig. 2303.) 



Tragia cordata Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 176. 1803. Not 



Vahl. 1790. 

 Tragia macrocarpa Willd. Sp. PI. 4: 323. 1806. 



Perennial, twining, slightly hirsute. Stem slender, 

 ic/-4^ long, branched; leaves ovate, 2 / -4^ / long, 

 deeply cordate, coarsely dentate-serrate, long-acu- 

 minate; petioles mostly shorter than the blades, sta- 

 minate flowers with a 3-lobed calyx and 3 stamens; 

 pistillate flowers several at the bases of the spikes, 

 short- pedicelled, the calyx 5-lobed ; capsule depressed, 

 g//_3// j n diameter; seeds subglobose, 2^" long, 

 smooth, variegated. 



In dry or rocky soil, Kentucky to Missouri, Florida 

 and Mexico. June-Sept. 



7. RICINUS I,. Sp. PI. 1007. 1753. 



A tall stout monoecious herb, glabrous and glaucous, with alternate large peltate palmate- 

 ly-lobed petioled leaves, and numerous small apetalous greenish flowers in terminal racemes, 

 the pistillate above the staminatc. Staminate flowers with a 3~5-parted calyx, the segments 

 valvate, and numerous crowded stamens; filaments repeatedly branched. Pistillate flowers 

 with a caducous calyx, a 3-celled, 3-ovuled ovary, the 3 red styles united at the base, 2-cleft. 

 Capsule subglobose, or oval, smooth or spiny, separating into 3 2-valved carpels. Seeds 

 ovoid or oblong, usually mottled. Embryo straight. Endosperm fleshy and oily. [The 

 Latin name of the plant.] 



A monotypic genus of the warmer parts 

 of Africa and Asia. 



i. Ricinus communis L. Castor- 

 oil Plant. Castor-bean. Pal in a 

 Christi. (Fig. 230.4.) 



Ricinus communis L. Sp. PI. 1007. 1753. 



Stem erect, 3-i5 tall, more or less 

 branched, becoming tree-like in warm 

 regions. Leaves nearly orbicular in out- 

 line, 4 / -2 broad, 6-n-palmately-lobed 

 and peltate, the lobes toothed, acute or 

 acuminate; capsule 6 // -8 // in diameter, 

 usually spiny; sometimes smooth; seeds 

 shining, smooth, black, variegated with 

 white, or mottled with gray and brown 

 markings. 



In waste places, escaped from cultivation, 

 New Jersey to Florida and Texas. An im- 

 posing ornamental plant, and also of medi- 

 cinal value. Widely naturalized in warm 

 and tropical regions. 



8. JATROPHA L> Sp. PI. 1006. 1753. 



Monoecious or rarely dioecious perennial stinging bristly herbs, or shrubs, with entire, 

 lobed or divided petioled leaves, the flowers in cymes. Staminate flowers on the upper parts 

 of the cymes, with a corolla-like 5-lobed calyx, 5 petals distinct or united, or none, the sta- 

 mens usually numerous (5-30) and in several series, their filaments mostly united at the base. 

 Pistillate flowers in the lower forks of the cymes ; ovary mostly 3-celled and 3 ovuled ; styles 

 united at the base; capsule ovoid or subglobose, easily separating into 2-valved carpels; seeds 

 ovoid or obovoid; embryo straight; endosperm fleshy. [Greek, healing nutriment.] 



About 70 species, widely distributed in warm and temperate regions. Besides the following 

 some 4 others occur in the southern States. 



