A ma ranthacecz Amaranthus. 389 



albuminous, with a hard usually shining testa. There are 

 between 40 and 50 genera, and nearly 500 species belonging 

 to this order. They are chiefly tropical, and we have no native 

 representati ves. 



1. AMARANTHUS. 



Coarse -growing annuals with alternate entire leaves and 

 small green or red flowers in large bracteate clustered spike*. 





Fig. 208. Afrvflfranthtis caudatus. (Jjiat. sizfc.) 



Flowers polygamous, furnished with 3 bracts at the base of a 3- 

 or 5-lobed glabrous perianth. Stamens free, 5 or 3. Fruit a 



