RANUNCULACE.E 31 



Plate 10. 



CALTHA, L. 



Calyx 4-10-sepalus, petaloideus, regularis, deciduus. Pe- 

 tala plane nulla. Folliculi 5-15, sessiles, compressi, pa- 

 tentes, polyspermi. — Folia rotundata vel cordata, indivisa. 



Caltha, Linn. Gsrtn. Fr. t. 118. DC. Syst. 1. p. 306 (excl. § 1). 

 Populago, Tourn. Inst. p. 273. t. 145. 



Marsh Marigold. 



Calyx regular, imbricated in asstivation : sepals petaloid, 

 ovate or oblong, spreading, plane, deciduous. Petals en- 

 tirely wanting. Stamens indefinite, hypogynous : fila- 

 ments filiform : anthers oblong, innate or slightly extrorse, 

 the cells opening longitudinally at the margins. Pistils 

 5 to 15, sessile on the small or depressed receptacle, one-cell- 

 ed, many-ovuled : style none, or a short point stigmatose 

 on the inner side. Ovules indefinite, occupying the ventral 

 suture in two rows, horizontal, anatropous ; their raphes col- 

 lateral (next the suture, or face to face). 



Fruit follicular. Follicles as many as the ovaries, or 

 by abortion fewer, verticillate, or when numerous capitate, 

 soon divergently spreading, sessile, short-pointed, coriaceo- 

 membranaceous in texture, compressed, dehiscent by the 

 whole length of the ventral suture, soon opening flat, bear- 

 ing a row of seeds upon each margin. Seeds horizontal, 

 oval, the smooth and rather thick testa extended into a 

 wing-like border at the raphe and chalaza. Alhumen fleshy. 

 Embryo minute, next the hilum : cotyledons very short, 

 separate. 



Herbs smooth, with simple or sparingly branched fistu- 

 lous stems, or scapes, rising from perennial and often creep- 

 ing rootstocks, and bearing several or solitary, terminal , large 

 and showy vernal flowers. Calyx golden-yellow, or rarely 

 white. Leaves ample, rounded, crenate-toothed or entire. 



