132 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 



49. TROP-^OLACE^). INDIAN CRESS FAMILY. 



Smooth and tender herbaceous plants, with biting juice, often 

 climbing by the petioles of their simple leaves. Leaves alter- 

 nate, without stipules. Peduncles axillary, 1-fLowered. Sepals 

 3-5, the upper one with a long, distinct spur. Petals 1-5, 

 hypogynous, not always all alike. Stamens 6-10, perigynous, 

 distinct. Ovary 1, 3-cornered, made up of 3-5 1-ovuled 

 carpels; style 1 ; stigmas 3-5. Fruit not opening. 



TROPJEOLUM, L. 



Characteristics of the genus those of the family above 

 given, together with the following : 



Petals usually 5, clawed, the 2 upper inserted at the mouth 

 of the spur and unlike the 3 lower ones. Stamens 8, ripen- 

 ing unequally, the filaments curved. Fruit 3-celled, 3-seeded. 

 Cultivated from S. A. for the very showy flowers and the 

 sharp-flavored fruits, which are often pickled. 



1. T. majus, L. COMMON NASTURTIUM. Climbing by the petioles 

 6-8 ft. (there is also a low variety which does not climb). Leaves 

 roundish but more or less 6-angled, peltate, with the petiole attached 

 near the middle. Flowers varying from almost white to nearly black, 

 but commonly crimson, scarlet, or flame-color. 



50. LINACEJE. FLAX FAMILY. 



. Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves usually alternate, simple, 

 entire, sometimes with stipules. Flowers variously clus- 

 tered. Sepals 5, distinct or coherent. Petals 5, hypogynous. 

 Stamens 5, monadelphous below. Pod 8-10-seeded, with 

 twice as many cells as there are styles. 



LINUM, Tourn. 



Herbs or small shrubs, with tough, fibrous bark. Leaves 

 sessile. Flowers in corymbs or panicles. Sepals 5, entire. 

 Petals 5, distinct or coherent below, falling in a few hours 

 after expanding. 



