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ZINGIBERACE^E (THE GINGER ORDER) consist of herbaceous 

 perennials with a creeping rhizome ; leaves broad, with a sheathing petiole, 

 and numerous parallel veins diverging from a midrib ; flowers spiked or 

 racemose, with spathaceous membranous bracts; perianth adherent, 

 irregular, in three circles each of three parts, one petal being larger in 

 each of the two inner circles ; stamens 3, distinct, 2 abortive, and the 

 fertile one posterior, opposite the labollum or large segment of the inner- 

 most perianthial whorl ; anther 2-oeliod ; ovary 3-celled, or with the dis- 

 sepiments imperfect ; seeds numerous, often arillate, with the embryo in a 

 sac (vitettus) within the perisperm. Illustrative Genera : Zingiber, Gasrtn.; 

 Amomum, L. ; Hedychium, Kcenig ; Alpinia, L. ; Costus, L. 



Fig. 465. 



Hedychium : A, B, loculicidal capsule ; C, seed with arillus ; D, section of seed. 



Affinities, &c. This Order is nearly related to Marantaceae, Orchidaceae, 

 and the allied Orders, but may always be distinguished by the only fertile 

 stamen being situated next the axis (posterior), not next the bract (an- 

 terior) as it is in Orchidaceae (before the ovary becomes twisted), or lateral 

 as it is in Marantaceae ; the ovary is usually 3-celled, like that of Maran- 

 taceas, but the embryo is contained in a special sac or vitellus, which is 

 not present in the seeds of either Marants or Orchids. 



Distribution. A large Order, consisting mostly of tropical plants ; the 

 greater part East-Indian, but a few occurring in America, in Africa, and 

 in Japan. 



Qualities and Uses. Remarkable for the pleasant aromatic and stimu- 

 lant qualities of the rhizomes and the seeds of many kinds ; some are 



