62 TYPHACEAE. 



contact with a germ-cell in the embryo-sac, fertilization is effected. In a few 

 cases the pollen-tube enters the ovule at the chalaza, not at the micropyle. 



There are two sub-classes, distinguished as follows: 



Cotyledon one ; stem endogenous. 



Cotyledons two; stem (with rare exceptions) exogenous. 



Sub-class i. MOXOCOTYLEDOXES. 

 Sub-class 2. DICOTYLEDOXES. 



Sub-class i. MONOCOTYLEDONES. 



Embryo of the seed with but a single cotyledon and the first leaves of the 

 germinating plantlet alternate. Stem composed of a ground-mass of soft tissue 

 (parenchyma) in which bundles of wood-cells are irregularly imbedded ; no 

 distinction into wood, pith and bark. Leaves usually parallel- veined, mostly 

 alternate and entire, commonly sheathing the stem at the base and often with 

 no distinction of blade and petiole. Flowers mostly 3-merous or 6-merous. 



Monocotyledonous plants are first definitely known in Triassic time. They constitute between 

 one-fourth and one-third of the living angiospermous flora. The families are grouped in about 10 

 orders (see Introduction). 



Family i. TYPHACEAE J. St. Hil. Expos. Fam. i: 60. 1805.* 



CAT-TAII, FAMILY. 



Marsh or aquatic plants with creeping rootstocks, fibrous roots and glabrous 

 erect, terete stems. Leaves linear, flat, ensiform, striate, sheathing at the base. 

 Flowers monoecious, densely crowded in terminal spikes, which are subtended 

 by spathaceous, usually fugacious bracts, and divided at intervals by smaller 

 bracts, which are caducous, the staminate spikes uppermost. Perianth of bris- 

 tles. Stamens 2-7, the filaments connate. Ovary i, stipitate, 1-2 -celled. Ovules 

 anatropous. Styles as many as the cells of the ovary. Mingled among the 

 stamens and pistils are bristly hairs, and among the pistillate flowers many sterile 

 flowers with clavate tips. Fruit nutlike. Endosperm copious. 



The family comprises only the following genus: 



i. TYPHAL. Sp. PI. 971. 

 Characters of the family. [ Name ancient.] 



1753- 



About 10 species, widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions. Besides those here de- 

 scribed, another occurs in California. 



Spikes dark brown or black, the pistillate and staminate usually contiguous, the former without 

 bractlets: stigmas spatulate or rhomboid ; pollen 4-grained. i. T. latifolia. 



Spikes light brown, the pistillate and staminate usually distant, the former with bractlets; stigmas 

 linear; pollen in simple grains. 2. T. angustifolia. 



i. Typha latifolia L. Broad-leaved Cat- 

 tail. (Fig. 136.) 



Typha latifolia I,. Sp. PI. 971. 1753. 



Stems stout, 4-8 high. Leaves 3 // -i2 // broad; 

 spikes dark brown or black, the staminate and 

 pistillate portions usually contiguous, each $'-12' 

 long and often i' or more in diameter, the pistil- 

 late without bractlets ; stigmas rhomboid or spatu- 

 late ; pollen-grains in 4's ; fruit furrowed, bursting 

 in water ; seeds with a separable outer coat. 



In marshes, throughout North America except the 

 extreme north. Ascends to 1600 ft. in the Adirondacks 

 and to 2200 ft. in Virginia. Also in Europe and Asia. 

 June-July. Fruit, Aug.-Sept. 



Text contributed by the late Rev. THOMAS MORON G. 



