740 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



corolla 4-lobed, hypogynous; stamens 4 or 2 or only 1, inserted on the throat 

 or tube of the corolla; ovary 1-2 celled, or falsely 3-4-celled, sessile; ovule 1, 

 several ovules in each cavity ; fruit a pyxis, circumscissile, at or below the 

 middle or a nutlet. 



3 genera, 2 native to North America, and more than 200 species, of wide 

 distribution. None of the plants are of any economic importance. The seeds 

 of several species (Plantago major and Plantago Rugelii} are used to feed 

 birds. The P. ovata is used in France as a salad. The seeds of P. arenaria 

 of Europe and P. indica are used for sizing in the manufacture of muslin. All 

 of the seeds of the genus have a mucilaginous testa. 



Fig. 430. Hardy Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa). 1, Panicle of flowers. 

 2, Longitudinal section of flower. 3, Single fruit. 4, Seed. 5, Longi- 

 tuinal section of seed. All one-half natural size. (M. M. Cheney in 

 Green's Forestry in Minnesota). 



RUBIALES 



Leaves opposite or whorled; flowers with gamopetalous corolla, separate 

 anthers; stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla and alternate with them 



