48 



NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



II. EBYTHROSPEKMUM SERIES. 



Erijthrospermum x (figs. 46, 47) has regular hermaphrodite flowers. 

 On the convex receptacle is inserted near its base a perianth formed 

 of from seven or eight to twelve or thirteen leaves. Externally are 

 three, usually described as sepals, and internal to these are from four 

 to ten others, broader and more membranous. All are imbricated 

 and petaloid, and it is impossible to distinguish clearly which are to 

 be considered calyx, and which corolla. The number of stamens is 



JErythrospermum verticillaturn . 



Fig. 46. 

 Flower (^). 



Fig. 47. 

 Diagram. 



also variable, from five to eight or nine ; they each consist of a free 

 filament and a basifixed anther, whose connective, flattened into the 

 shape of a horseshoe, bears on its edges the linear anther-cells ; 

 these open longitudinally. The short gynseceum is composed of a 

 one-celled ovary, surmounted by a short style, whose stigmatiferous 

 apex is entire or divided into as many short lobes as there are pla- 

 centae. These last are parietal, usually three in number, alternating 

 with the divisions of the style, and bearing an indefinite number of 

 little anatropous ovules. The fruit is thick, and is said to dehisce in 

 three or four valves ; it contains several seeds with pulpy envelopes, 

 enclosing an embryo surrounded by copious fleshy albumen. Ery- 

 tkrospermum consists of shrubs with alternate or verticillate simple 

 entire exstipulate leaves ; the flowers form simple or compound 



1 Erythrospermum Lamk., III., ii. 407, t. 

 274. — Poie., Diet., Suppl., ii. 584. — Dup.-Th., 

 Mist. Yeg. Afr. Austr., 65, t. 21.— DC, Prodr., 

 j. 257. — Endl., Gen., n. 5083. — Clos, in Ann. 



Sc. Nat., ser. 4, viii. 257. — Payee, sur les 

 Fam. Nat., 114. — B. H., Gen., 127, 972, n. 

 16. — H. Bn., in Adansonia, ix. 311. 



