EXOGENJE CALYCIFLORJE. 125 



USES. The Lngerstromias and Lythrums, as well as some 

 others, are species of great beauty. Lythrum Salicaria has 

 been employed in diarrhoea on account of its astringency. 

 Lawsonia inermis furnishes the Henn6 with which oriental 

 women stain their nails. A few are acrid. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Ly thrum, Ammannia. 



61. Combretaceee, Trees or shrubs. Leaves without sti- 

 pules. Flowers generally showy. Calyx 4- or 5-lobed, de- 

 ciduous. Stamens twice as many as the segments of the 

 calyx, or three times as many. Ovary 1 -celled, with from 2 

 to 4 ovules, hanging from the apex of the cavity. Seed with- 

 out albumen ; cotyledons usually convolute. 



USES. Many species are astringent, and are used by the 

 tanners in the countries where they occur. Myrobalan nuts, 

 also tonics, are produced by Terminalia bellerica. The kernels 

 of T. Catappa are eaten like almonds. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Combretum, Conocarpus. 



62. Melastomacea. Trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants. 

 Leaves opposite, with several ribs. Flowers generally purple 

 and very handsome. Calyx cohering with the angles of the 

 ovary. Petals twisted in aestivation ; filaments curved down- 

 wards in aestivation ; anthers 2-celled, elongated beyond the 

 insertion of the filament (see fig. 211, p. 46). Ovary with 

 several cells, and indefinite ovules. Pericarp with placentae 

 attached to a central column. Seeds innumerable. 



USES. Of no importance. The species appear harmless ; 

 their fruit, when succulent, is eatable. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Ehexia, Melastoma, Lasiandra. 



63. PMladelphacea. Shrubs. Leaves deciduous, oppo- 

 site, without dots or stipules. Flowers usually white. Calyx 

 persistent, having from 4 to 10 divisions. Petals convolute, 

 imbricate. Stamens definite. Styles indistinct, or consoli- 

 dated; stigmas several. Capsule with 4 to 10 cells, many- 

 seeded. Seeds scobiform ; aril loose, membranous. Albumen 

 fleshy. 



USES. Merely known as plants of ornament, and some- 

 times of fragrance. The rough leaves of Deutzia are said to 

 be used by the Japanese as a polishing material. 



TYPICAL GENERA. Philadelphus, Deutzia. 



