COROLLIFLOE2E. 309 



Affinities, &c. Related closely to some Loganiaceae and to Gentianacese, 

 ' as noticed under those Orders also to Asclepiadaceae, from which they are 

 chiefly distinguished by the freedom of the stamens from the stigma and 

 by the granular pollen. The thickened stigma, however, and appendaged 

 anthers found here indicate a close relationship. Alyxia has ruminate 

 perisperm. 



Distribution. A large group, the species of which are chiefly tropical, 

 a few scattered in temperate climates. Vinca occurs in Britain. 



Qualities and Uses. Often violent poisons, acting as drastic purgatives 

 and emetics, sometimes with a narcotic influence. Not a few, however, 

 have delicious edible fruits ; and the bark of some is tonic and febrifuge. 

 The milky juice contains Caoutchouc, in some cases sufficient to become 

 commercially valuable. The poisonous principles appear to occur chiefly 

 in the seeds and in the milky juice. The seeds of Tanghinia venenifera, 

 the Madagascar Poison-nut, are very deadly, as are also the seeds of 

 Cerbera, Thevetia, Cameraria latifolia (the Bastard Manchineel), the 

 stem, root, leaves, and flowers of Nerium (the Oleander), Echites, 

 Plumiera, &c. Where somewhat milder, as in Apocynum and Allamanda, 

 the plants are occasionally available medicinally, but only in small doses. 

 Wriyhtia antidysenterica, some species of Carissa, Hancornia pubescens, 

 and others are simply bitter and febrifuge, like Gentians. The succulent 

 fruits of Hancornia speciosa (Brazil), Carissa Carandas and edulis (East 

 Indies), Roupellia grata (Sierra Leone), are not only harmless,' but very 

 delicious. Caoutchouc is obtained from Urceola elastica, Willuyhbeia 

 edulis (East indies), Valiea yummifera (Madagascar), Cottophora utilised 

 Cameraria latifolia (South America), also from species of Landolpkia and 

 Hancornia. The milky juice of Taberncemontana utHis, the Cow-tree of 

 Demerara, is innocuous and nutritious. Wriyhtia tinctoria furnishes a 

 kind of indigo ; and the wood of species of Wriyhtia (East Indies), 

 Aspidosperma (Guiana), &c. is valuable as timber. The bark of Alstonia 

 scholaris is recommended as a tonic and antiperiodic. This Order 

 furnishes some of our most beautiful stove-plants Eckites, Allamanda, 

 Dipladenia, Nerium, Plumiera, &c. forming striking ornaments in every 

 extensive horticultural collection. 



ASCLEPIADACE^:. 



Coh. Gentianales, Benth. et Hook. 



Diagnosis. Shrubs or herbs, often twining, with milky juice, 

 opposite or whorled (rarely scattered) entire leaves without stipules : 

 floxvers regular, 5-merous, 5-androus, the lobes of the corolla mostly 

 valvate ; filaments springing from the corolla-tube, united into a 

 tube, and often prolonged beyond and behind the anther into horn- 

 like processes constitutiug the corona; carpels 2, distinct, or 

 coherent below ; stigmas coherent into a 5-angled fleshy head, to 

 which the anthers are adherent (fig. 410) ; pollen coherent into 

 wax-like or granular masses ; ovaries with numerous ovules on the 



