462 



CXI. MESEMBRYANTHEME^. 



As thus constituted, Ficoidece are intermediate between Caryophyllece, Portulacea and Paronychiete, 

 and indeed form one aggregate order with them. It differs from CaryophyUete in the 2-oo -celled ovary, 

 usually alternate leaves, and absence of petals; from Porlulacete in the never 2-sepalous calyx and 

 the 2-oe -celled ovary ; and from Pare*yekintin habit, 2-oo -celled ovary, simple stigma, and dehiscence of 

 the capsule. Ficoidcte also rank near Phytolaccete and Polygonea. As a whole they may be regarded as 

 the perigynous many-celled representatives of those orders. 



Most of the Ficoidete are weeds of dry hot regions throughout the globe ; their properties are 

 unimportant ED.] 



CXI. MESEMBRYANTHEMEJE* 



. (FicoiDEAKUM genera, Jussicu. MESEMBRIAN THEMES, Fenzl.) 



CALYX superior. PETALS and STAMENS indefinite, epigynous. OVARY several- 

 relied, with linear parietal placentas, occupying the bottom of the cells. CAPSULE 

 depressed, many-valved. SEEDS numerous. EMBRYO curved. ALBUMEN farinaceous. 



STEM sub-woody or rarely herbaceous or fleshy. LEAVES opposite or alternate, 

 fleshy, plane or cylindric or trigonous, exstipulate. FLOWERS 5 , regular, axillary 

 or terminal, inflorescence various, generally opening towards noon, sometimes in 

 the evening, gold, saffron, purple, violet, pink or white. CALYX superior, 5- (rarely 

 2-8-) partite, segments herbaceous, leafy or semi-scarious, usually unequal, imbri- 

 cate. PETALS numerous, inserted on the calyx, usually many-seriate, linear, 



Mti'inbri/iiiil/ifni um. 

 Vertical section of flower (mag.). 



Mesemliruiintliemunt. 

 Stamens (mag.). 



ilttembryanthnnum falciforme. 



" 

 Diagram. 



1 >'< T Tribe I. of Ficoidece, p. 461. 



Meiembi yanlliemnm. 

 Seed, entire and cut vertically (mag.). 



