176 RHAMNACE^. 



rulate leaves, on short petioles, their venation loosely pin- 

 nately veined and reticulated. Stipules minute, deciduous. 

 Flowers very small, greenish, crowded and often glomerate 

 in slender axillary and terminal rigid spikes. 



Etymology. Dedicated by Brongniart to CI. Sageret, a French horticul- 

 turist and vegetable physiologist. 



Geographical Distribution. Chietly tropical or subtropical plants, 

 the greater part natives of Equinoctial America and Eastern Asia. One 

 species extends up the coast from Florida to North Carolina. 



Note. The fruit was not described by Brongniart. It is here figured 

 from some sketches, made by Dr. Torrey at the time the Rhamnacese were 

 prepared for the Flora of North America, which show that it is much nearer 

 that of Rhamnus, or rather Frangula, than that of Berchemia. Better 

 materials and further details are still needed. 



PLATE 166. Sageretia Michauxii, Brongn.; — a flowering branch, of 

 the natural size ; from Florida. 



1. Diagram of the flower. 



2. An open flower, magnified. 



3. An exterior view of a stamen, more magnified. 



4. The same, seen from the inner side. 



5. A petal spread out, magnified. 



6. Vertical section of a flower, magnified. 



7. A drupe, of the natural size. 



8. The same, enlarged. 



9. One of the pyrenae, seen from the outside, magnified. 

 10. Transverse section of the same, and of the embryo. 



*^* The figures 7-9 are copied from sketches made by Dr. Torrey. 



