Nyctaginaceae. 



Two varieties have been described, one from Kauai by Asa Gray, and another 

 from the Pali of Kalaupapa, Molokai. 



The wood is coarsely grained and very light, resembling the wood of the Papala. 



NYCTAGINACEAE. 



This family is one of the most interesting in the vegetable kingdom, on account 

 of its many peculiarities. All Nyctaginaceae are void of corollas, but possess, 

 however, a perigone of often remarkable beauty. The family consists of 18 

 genera, with about 155 species ; it is represented in the Hawaiian Islands by 

 three genera, only one of which, Pisonia, has arborescent species. 



The Nyctaginaceae are either herbs, shrubs or trees, and are distributed over the 

 warmer regions of the whole world, especially in tropical America. 



PISONIA Plum. 



Flowers rarely hermaphrodite, usually unisexual, with 2 to 3 small triangular to linear 

 bracts at their base. Male flower campanulate, with a 5-lobed perigone and 5 to 30 

 (usually 6 to 8) stamens, which are very shortly united at their base, and exserted, sur- 

 rounding a rudimentary ovary. Female flowers tubular, 5 lobed, with staminodia and 

 an often plainly stipitate, elongate ovary, with a filiform style and fringed capitate stigma. 

 Anthocarp of variable form, elliptical to long prismatic, etc., smooth or angular with 

 viscous glands. Shrubs or trees with small often fragrant flowers and usually opposite, 

 elliptical, lanceolate or obovate leaves. 



The genus consists of about 40 described species which occur in the tropics and 

 their neighboring regions. Only one species is found on the African coasts. 



The fruiting perigone of the Hawaiian species exudes a very viscous substance, 

 which was used by the natives as a bird lime. 



The nomenclature of the species of Pisonia is very much confused, different 

 authors having referred our species to plants from other parts of the world. A. 

 Heimerl expresses the possibility of our endemic species (P. sandwicensis) being 

 identical with P. artensis from New Caledonia. 



The writer has adhered to Hillebrand's nomenclature as regards this latter 

 species, rather than Heimerl's, who says that our Hawaiian Pisonia is not well 

 known to him. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



Limb of perigone lobed. 



Leaves cuneate, inflorescence a terminal loose umbel or contracted panicle 



P. umbellifera 



Leaves broad at the base, inflorescence a globose head P. sandwicensis 



Limb of perigone entire. 



Leaves elliptical oblong, inflorescence a loose open panicle P. inermis 



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