CLXXIII. VEEBENACE^]. 617 



tubular. Corolla-limb oblique or 2-lipped. Capsule 2-coccous. *Verbena, Bouchea, *Stacliy- 

 tarplieta, *Lippia. 



Sub- tribe 5. LANTANE^. Flowers capitate or spiked. Calyx short, membranous. Corolla- 

 limb oblique. Drupe of 2 1-celled pyrenes. *Lantana. 



Sub-tribe 6. DURANTE^E. Racemes lax. Calyx enlarged in fruit. Corolla campanulate 

 or hypocrateriform. Drupe with 2-4 2-celled pyrenes. (America.) Githarexylon, *Duranta. 



Sub-tribe 7. PETR^E^E. Racemes lax. Calyx cup-shaped, 5-toothed, with a large invo- 

 lucriform epicalyx. Fruit coriaceous, indehiscent. (America.) *Petrcea. 



TRIBE II. VITE^E. Inflorescence cymose, definite. Ovules pendulous, amphitropous, or 

 sub-anatropous. 



Sub-tribe 8. SYMPHOREMEJE. Cymes fewrflowered, contracted, involucrate. Fruit coria- 

 ceous, indehiscent. (Indian twiners.) Symphorema, Congea, &c. 



Sub-tribe 9. CARYOPTERIDE^E. Cymes not involucrate. Capsule at length 4-valved. 

 (Asia.) *Caryopteris, &c. 



Sub-tribe 10. VITICE^;. Cymes not involucrate. Drupe fleshy, rarely dry. Tectona, 

 Premria, Callicarpa, JEgipldla, *Volkameria, *Cleradendron, Gmelina, *Vitex, &c. 



TRIBE III. AVICEN^IE^;. Inflorescence capitate, spiked, or centripetal ; flower with im- 

 bricate bracts. Calyx 5 T leaved. Corolla 4-fid. Ovules geminate, pendulous, amphitropous. 

 Fruit indehiscent ; embryo germinating in the pericarp. Avicennia. ED.] 



The affinities of Verbenacece with Borraginece, Labiata, and Acanthacets have been given under those 

 families ; they are very close to Stilbineee in the irregularity of the corolla, number of ^he stamens, 2- 

 celled ovary, 1-2-ovuled cells, erect and anatropous ovules, spiked inflorescence and whorled leaves ; but 

 in Stilbinete the corolla is valvate, the 4 stamens are equal, the fruit dry, and the embryo is axile in the 

 fleshy albumen. Their affinity with Myoporinea is indicated by the insertion, irregularity, anisostemony, 

 and imbrication of the corolla, the didynamous stamens, 1-2-ovuled 2-celled ovary, and drupaceous or 

 baccate fruit ; but in Myoporinece the ovules are pendulous, the embryo axile in the fleshy albumen, the 

 leaves are generally alternate, the flowers axillary and usually solitary. They have the same affinity with 

 Selayinea, which besides have spiked flowers, and the diagnosis is the same ; added to which, in SelagincfB 

 the anthers are reniform and 1-celled, and the fruit is dry. A comparison with Globulariece shows the same 

 similarities and differences, and Globulariece are further distinguished by their dry fruit, which is a 

 caryopsis. A close relationship is also observable between Verbenacece and Jasmincce ; in both the corolla 

 is hypogynous, sub-irregular, anisostemonous, and imbricate in aestivation, the ovary is 2-celled, the cells 

 1-2-ovuled, the ovules collateral, ascending and anatropous, the fruit is fleshy, the emhryo exalbuniinous 

 or nearly so, and the leaves opposite. Vcrbenaccai principally inhabit tropical regions, decreasing towards 

 the poles; the woody species grow in the torrid zone, the herbaceous in temperate climates. They are 

 rare in Europe, Asia, and North America. 



Verbenacece contain a little volatile oil, hut bitter and astringent principles predominate, and their 

 medicinal propCrties are little esteemed in Europe. The Vervain ( Verbena officinalis), celebrated among 

 the ancient Romans and the Druids of Gaul, was used in religious ceremonies and in incantations ; its 

 slightly aromatic hitter gave it formerly a place among tonics, whence its name of officinalis. Lippia 

 citriodora is an undershrub of South America, cultivated in Europe, the dried leaves of which are infused 

 like tea, and also used for flavouring cream. Many species of Lantana are also used as tea in Brazil 

 {Lantana pseiidothea), and their drupes are edible (L. annua and L. trifolia), as are those of Pi-emna. 

 The Asiatic Callicarpce have a hitter aromatic bark, and their leaves are diuretic ; the American species 

 of the same genus are of repute in the treatment of dropsy. Some other Verbenacece are alexipharmics 

 (JEgiphila, Gmelina) ; Gmelina villosa is a febrifuge, G. arborea is recommended for rheumatism. 

 Verbena erinoidf-s is employed in Peru as a uterine stimulant. The Clerodendrons are trees remarkable 



