viii Key to the Families 



** Ovary inferior. 



Herbs ; leaves alternate, divided. DATISCACEAE, 257. 



Woody plants, parasitic on trees or shrubs. LORANTHACEAE, 1C 



Petals present. 



* Ovary superior. 



1. STAMENS HYPOGYNOUS, MORE THAN 10. 



Pistils several to many. 



Pistils simple and distinct. 



Pistils becoming achenes or follicles. RANUNCULACEAE, 151. 



Pistils at first united, becoming distinct and forming tortulose pods. 



PLATYSTEMON, 159. 



Pistils cohering around a central axis. MALVACEAE, 245. 



Pistil 1. 



Pistil 1-celled. 



Sepals persistent. 



Sepals 2. CALANDRINIA, 140. 



Sepals 5, the 2 outer smaller, bract-like. CISTACEAE, 252. 



Sepals caducous ; petals 4 or 6, twice as many as sepals. 



PAPAVERACEAE, 158. 

 Pistil more than 1-celled. MALVACEAE, 245. 



2. STAMENS HYPOGYNOUS, 10 OR FEWER. 



Pistils more than 1, distinct. 



Pistils exceeding the sepals and petals in number. RANUNCULACEAE, 151. 

 Pistils, petals and sepals of the same number. CRASSDLACEAE, 183. 

 Pistils several, more or less united around a central axis, elastically separ 



ating as 1-seeded carpels. GERANIACEAE, 227. 



Pistil 1. 



Corolla regular. 

 Ovary 1-celled, 



Anthers opening by longitudinal slits. 



Fruit a capsule dehiscent at the apex by valves or teeth. 

 Placentae central or basal. 



Calyx tubular or of 4-5 distinct sepals. 



CARYOPHYLLACEAE, 143. 



Calyx of 2 distinct sepals. PORTDLACACEAE, 140. 



Placentae parietal; calyx tubular. FRANKENIACEAE, 251. 

 Fruit indehiscent; sepals and petals 4. CRDCIFERAE, 164. 

 Anthers opening by uplifted valves; shrubby plants. 



BERBERIDACEAE, 156. 



