174 AGRICULTURAL BOTANY 



ranged so as to form a cross, hence the name cruci- 

 ferce. 



The following characteristics are common to all mem- 

 bers of the family : 



(a) The flowers arranged in racemes, with the lower 

 flowers the older ; 



(b) Flowers cruciform ; 



(c) Stamens six, four long and two short; 



(d) Pod, two-celled; 



(e) Fruit a silicle or a silique. 



Rosacese, or Rose Family. - - This important family 

 has among its plants herbs, shrubs, and trees. Here 

 are found the pear tree, the apple tree, and the crab- 

 apple. Berries are represented by the blackberry, 

 raspberry, thimbleberry, shadberry, and strawberry. 

 The stone fruits include the peach, the plum, and the 

 cherry, 



The plants of this family have regular flowers with 

 calyx and corolla each of five parts. The stamens, 

 which are numerous and distinct, arise from the calyx. 

 The flowers may have one or many pistils. They may 

 be distinct, or they may be united and combined with 

 the calyx, as they are in the apple. 



The following are the common characteristics : 



(a) Flowers regular, that is, one sepal like another 

 on same flower and all petals alike on the same 

 flower; 



(b) Corolla in five parts ; 



(c) Stamens numerous and inserted on the calyx. 

 Leguminosae, or Pea Family. --The common garden 



pea is a characteristic member of this large and impor- 

 tant order. Its importance is due not only to- the plants 

 that furnish foods rich in nitrogen, but also to the fact 



