PHYTOLACCAOEJZ. 53 



3 ? Anisomeria Don. — Flowers nearly of Phytolacca (or Ercilla) 

 irregular; calyx subcoriaceous-herbaceous, lobes 5, unequal (3 

 superior larger). Stamens 10-30 subsecund more developed on the 

 posterior side of the flower, inserted on fleshy disc. Carpels 2-6 

 free (or more rarely 1) inflated-reniform indehiscent. Seed 

 suberect ; testa membranous ; embryo peripheral uncinate hippo- 

 crepiform. — Shrubs or herbs ; root usually napiform ; stems erect ; 

 leaves alternate simple ; flowers in terminal racemes {Chili). See p. 27. 



4. Giseckia L. — Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, apeta- 

 lous ; sepals 5, membranous at margin, imbricated. Stamens 5, 

 alternate, or 10-15; filaments free or connate at base; anthers 

 oblong 2-locular introrse dehiscing by sublateral clefts. Carpels 5 (or 

 more rarely 3), oppositisepalous, free ; ovary unilocular ; style short 

 decurrent with the carpels at inner angle, apex and interior sulcate 

 stigmatiferous ; ovule 1, subbasilar, ascending; micropyle ex- 

 terior and inferior. Fruit-carpels often 5, free, membranous 

 venose, papillose, indehiscent. Seed ascendant subreniform ; testa 

 crustaceous granular; aril very small; embryo annular, encircling 

 farinaceous albumen. — Diffuse herbs, usually annual ; branches pro- 

 strate ; leaves opposite or in narrow pseudo-verticils, filled with cysto- 

 lites, exstipulate ; flowers small in axillary cymes or glomerules {Asia 

 and Tropical Africa). See p. 27. 



5. Limeum L. — Flowers hermaphrodite or more rarely polyga- 

 mous usually 5-merous ; sepals herbaceous, membranous at margin ; 

 praefloration imbricate. Petals (?) 5 of variable form, or 4, 3, 

 more rarely ; stamens 5, oppositisepalous, or 6-10 ; filaments dilated 

 at base into a slightly connate cupule ; anthers introrse, 2-locular 

 longitudinally rimose. Carpels 2; germen compressed 1-locular, 1- 

 ovulate ; styles 2, dilated stigmatiferous at apex ; ovules suberect 

 campylotropous ; micropyle lateral inferior ; funicle short erect. 

 Fruit 2-coccous, parting into orbicular cocci dorsally compressed, 

 sometimes apiculate at centre, smooth or rugose, sometimes the 

 margins dilated into reticulate wings {Semonvillea), interior 

 flat, sometimes membranous fenestrate. Seed suberect vertical ; testa 

 membranous ; embryo annular, encircling a farinaceous albumen ; 

 radicle inferior. — Annual or perennial herbs; branches slender; 



