196 



IMPORTANT FAMILIES OF PLANTS 



The sweet orange (Citrus aurantium) (Fig. 121) is the 

 best-known and most important fruit of this family. No one 

 knows just where the orange came from or where it was first 

 used by man, but it probably came from South China or India 

 and was brought into Europe by the returning Crusaders or the 

 Moorish invasion of Spain or possibly both. It was introduced 

 into America by the early Spanish explorers. 



The grapefruit (C. decumana), the lemon (C. limonum). 



Fig. 122. — Modern improved grape. 



the lime (C. limeita) and the citron (C. medica) are important 

 members of this genus. 



VINE FAMILY (viTACEiE) 



This family is made up of shrubs, usually climbing by means 

 of tendrils ; alternate, simple or compound leaves ; flowers min- 

 ute, greenish, perfect or imperfect; calyx entire or four to five 

 toothed ; petals four or five, separate or united and disappearing 

 very soon after development ; stamens four or five and opposite 

 the petals ; pistil one, consisting of two to six chambers ; fruit 

 usually a two-celled berry. 



