+BIXAGEJE. 329 



X. COCHLOSPERME^J. 



40. Cochlospermum K. — Flowers hermaphrodite ; receptacle 

 rather convex. Sepals 5, imbricated, deciduous. Petals 5, alternate, 

 large, contorted or imbricated. Stamens oo, inserted on eglandular 

 receptacle ; filaments subequal, or some longer and wider, free ; 

 anthers oblong or linear, 2-locular, apex poricidal, or dehiscing in 

 short oblique clefts, confluent at apex ; connective sometimes apicu- 

 late beyond cells. Germen free, 1-locular; placentas 3-5, more or 

 less prominent in cavity, coalescing in axis at base, or sometimes 

 nearly to apex (Amoreiiceia) ; ovules on each placenta oo, laterally 

 inserted at greater or less height ; style simple, tubular, apex stig- 

 matiferous, subentire or minutely 3-5-denticulate. Capsule 3-5- 

 valved, incompletely or subcompletely 3-5-locular ; exocarp loculi- 

 cidal, separating from alternate-valved, membranous or pergamen- 

 tous endocarp. Seeds oo, cochleate-reniform or spiral, exterior 

 sprinkled with wool or long hairs, sometimes short and remote 

 {Amoreiixia) ; testa crustaceous or corneous, before apex of cotyle- 

 dons perforated by pores inwardly stopped by obturator ; albumen 

 fleshy ; embryo fornicate or incurved axile ; cotyledons ovate or 

 oblong, sometimes uncinate ; radicle terete, incurved. — Trees, 

 shrubs, or more rarely herbs with tuberous rhizome full of yellow 

 juice ; leaves alternate, palmatifid or digitate ; flowers (handsome) in 

 simple or ramified racemes, terminal or lateral to upper leaves 

 {America, Asia, West. Africa, and Trop. Australia). See p. 297. 



