482 



SAURURACEAE. 



Sub class 2. DlCOTYLEDONES. 



Embryo of the seed with two cotyledons (in a few genera one only, as in 

 Cyclamen, Pinguicula and some species of Capnoides}, the first leaves of the 

 germinating plantlet opposite. Stem exogenous, of pith, wood and bark (endo- 

 genous in structure in Nymphaeaceae), the wood in one or more layers sur- 

 rounding the pith, traversed by medullary rays and covered by the bark. 

 Leaves usually pinnately or palmately veined, the veinlets forming a network. 

 Parts of the flower rarely in 3's or 6's. 



Dicotyledonous plants are first definitely known in Cretaceous time. They constitute between 

 two-thirds and three-fourths of the living angiospermous flora. 



Series i. Choripetalae. 



Petals separate and distinct from each other, or wanting. 



The series is also known as Archichlamideae, and comprises most of the families formerly 

 grouped under Apetalae (without petals) and Polypetalae (with separate petals). Exceptions to 

 the typical feature of separate petals are found in the Leguminosae, in which the two lower petals 

 are more or less united; in the Fumariaceae, where the two inner petals or all four of them are 

 sometimes coherent; the Polygalaceae, in which the three petals are united with each other, and 

 with the stamens; Oxolis in Geraniaceae; and Ilicaceae, whose five petals are sometimes joined 

 at the base. 



Family i. SAURURACEAE Lindl. Xat. Syst. Ed. 2, 184. 1836. 



LIZARD'S TAIL FAMILY. 



Perennial herbs with broad entire alternate petioled leaves, and small perfect 

 incomplete bracteolate flowers, in peduncled spikes. Perianth none. Stamens 

 6-8, or sometimes fewer, h} ? pogynous; anthers 2-celled, the sacs longitudinally 

 dehiscent. Ovary 3~4-carpelled, the carpels distinct or united, i-2-ovuled; 

 ovules orthotropous. Fruit capsular or berry-like, composed of 3-4 mostly in- 

 dehiscent carpels. Seeds globose or ovoid, the testa membranaceous. Endo- 

 sperm copious, mealy. Embr}'o minute, cordate, borne in a small sac near the 

 end of the endosperm. 



Three genera and 4 species, natives of North America and Asia. The family differs from 

 the Piperaceae in having more than one carpel to the ovary. It is represented in North America 

 by the following and by Anemopsis, occurring in California and Arizona. 



i. SAURURUS L. Sp. PI. 341. 1753. 



Marsh herbs, with slender rootstocks, jointed stems and cordate leaves, their petioles 

 sheathing the stem at the nodes, and small white flowers, in i or 2 dense elongated spikes 

 opposite the leaves. Bractlets adnate to the flowers or to their minute pedicels. Stamens 

 6-8. Filaments filiform, distinct. Carpels united at the base. Styles as many as the car- 

 pels, recurved, stigmatic along the inner side. Fruit rugose, depressed-globose, separating 

 into 3 or 4 one-seeded carpels. [Name Greek, meaning the tail of a lizard, in allusion to the 

 long slender spike.] 



Two species, the following of eastern North America, the other of eastern Asia. 



i. Saururus cernuus L. Lizard' s-tail. 

 (Fig. 1148.) 



Saururus cerniius L> Sp. PI. 341. 1753. 



Somewhat pubescent when young, becoming 

 glabrous, stem rathei slender, erect, sparingly 

 branched, 2-5 high. Leaves ovate, thin, pal- 

 mately 5~9-ribbed and with a pair of strong ribs 

 above, which run nearly to the apex, dark green, 

 entire, deeply cordate at the base, acuminate, 

 3 / -6 / long, 2 / -3 / I /' wide; petioles stout, shorter 

 than the blades, striate; spikes few, very dense, 

 longer than their peduncles, 4 '-6' long, the apex 

 drooping in flower; flowers fragrant; stamens 

 white, spreading, about 2" long; fruit slightly 

 fleshy, \W in diameter, strongly wrinkled 

 when dry. 



In swamps and shallow water, Connecticut to 

 Florida, west to southern Ontario, Minnesota and 

 Texas. June-Aug. 



