238 FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 
Family Pedaliaceae. Sesame Family. This is not a large group, 
containing only about 10 genera and 25 species. The plants are annual 
or perennial, with simple leaves and rather large axillary or clustered 
flowers. The calyx and corolla are each 5-lobed, the latter nearly 
regular; stamens 4, didynamous, with an abortive or rudimentary fifth 
one; ovary 1-celled, becoming a rather hard capsular fruit of variable 
shape. The family is confined to the tropics, being most abundant in 
Africa. Seeds in most of the genera are decidedly mucilaginous; this 
is particularly true of sesame (Sesamum Indicum) whose seeds, known 
in the West Indies as “benny seeds,” yield a fixed oil, and are much 
used in making cakes and confectionery; the oil is also used as an 
adulterant for olive and almond oil. 
Family Martyniaceae. Martynia Family. This curious family, 
consisting of a single genus, with about 12 species, was formerly 
included in the preceding, from which it is abundantly distinguished 
by the irregular flowers, and the fruit, which is tipped with two long 
curved beaks or horns, whence it is sometimes called the unicorn plant. 
The species are all tropical American, and one occurs as an escape as 
far north as New York City. Several species are in garden cultivation, 
both for their interesting flowers, and for the young fruit, from which 
very good pickles can be made. 
Family Orobanchaecae. Broom Rape Family. Contains about 
11 genera and 200 species, of wide distribution. They are all root para- 
sites, practically leafless, the leaves being reduced to small appressed 
scales ; the flowers are perfect and irregular, either solitary or in ter- 
minal spikes. Calyx 4-5-toothed, or cleft on one or both sides. Cor- 
olla 5-lobed, 2-lipped. Stamens 4, didynamous, with the rudiment of a 
fifth present. Ovary 1-celled, becoming a 2-valved capsule with numer- 
ous seeds. 
The broom-rapes startle us by the ghostly spontaneity with which 
they spring up in unexpected places. They are usually of one color 
throughout, and the effect is sometimes rather pleasing. Thus the 
small naked broom-rape (Thalesia uniflora) has a solitary long-pedun- 
cled flower, and is pale lilac throughout. It grows rather abund- 
antly in the spring in moist woods. Squaw-root (Conopholis), on 
the other hand, is found in dense tufts at the bases of trees; it has the 
yellowish flowers in stiff spikes. Plants of this family possess tonic. 
and astringent properties, and have occasionally been used in medicine. 
Family Gesneraceae. Gloxinia Family. About 100 genera and 800 
species, natives exclusively of the tropics, and particularly abundant 
in South America. They are herbs or shrubs, frequently with tuberous 
roots; the wrinkled leaves are opposite, and the flowers are nearly 
always showy. Oalyx 5-parted; corolla 5-lobed, somewhat irregular ; 
