Epilobium.] XXX. ONAGEARIEAE. 167 



Oedbb XXX.-ONAGRARIEAE. 



Calyx-tube often elongated^ adnate with the ovary, and rarely produced 

 heyond it ; lobes 2-4, rarely more, valvate. Petals 4, free, inserted at the 

 mouth of the calyx-tube, convolute in the bud, rarely 0. Stamens 4 or 8, 

 inserted with the petals. Ovary inferior, 2-4-celled, rarely 1-celled ; style 

 straight ; stigma 2— 4-lobed or capitate or clavate ; ovules numerous in the 

 angles of the cells, anatropous. Seeds small, without endosperm. Embryo 

 straight. Herbs, rarely shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite or alternate, ex- 

 stipulate. Flowers hermaphrodite, symmetrical, axillary, solitary or geminate, 

 racemose or spicate, sometimes trimorphic. 



Geneba, about 25. Species, about 360. Most plentiful in cold and temperate oountriea, but 

 also between the tropics. 



1. Epilobium. Herbs. Fruit a capsule. Seeds with a coma. 

 * OEnotheba. Herbs. Fruit a capsule. Seeds naked. 



2. Fuchsia. Shrubs or trees. Fruit a berry. 



1. EPILOBIUM, Linn. 

 Calyx-tube adnate with the tetragonous ovary, and rarely produced above 

 it ; lobes 4, deciduous. Petals 4. spreading, perigynous. Stamens 8, inserted 

 with the petals. Ovary inferior, 4-celled ; style short ; stigma obliquely clavate, 

 capitate or 4-lobed. Capsule linear, elongated, 4-celled, 4-valved, many-seeded, 

 dehiscing loculicidally from the apex downwards. Seeds with a tuft of white 

 hairs at the apex. Herbs, rarely suffruticose, erect, prostrate, or creeping. 

 Leaves opposite or alternate, exstipulate. Flowers sometimes drooping in bud, 

 afterwards erect, axillary or forming terminal spikes or racemes. Peduncles 

 often elongating in fruit. 



A large genus, common in all temperate countries, but rare in tlie tropics. By some authors 

 the species are estimated at about 50; by others at upwards of 160. They are extremely variable in all 

 countries, and hybrid forms are not unfrequent. Foj: the New Zealand species I have availed myself 

 largely of the beautiful and elaborate monograph of Professor Haus sknecht, and gladly acknowledge 

 the assistance he has kindly rendered in the elaboration of several doubtful forms. 



About five of the New Zealand species extend to Australia, and another to the lofty mountains 

 of New Guinea ; the others are endemic. 



It is desirable that the student should examine good series of specimens before coming to a 

 determination, and that he should devote special attention to the vernal and autumnal states of 

 each species. 



The following arrangement of the species is adapted from Hausskneoht : — 

 I. Similes. Stems erect, herbaceous or slightly woody at the base. Flowers numerous. 



* Leaves sessile. 

 t Seeds smooth. 

 Leaves ovate, glabrous. Flowers large . . . . . . . . 1. E. chionanthum, 



ft Seeds papillose, tomentose or pubescent. 

 Leaves distant, broad, toothed .. .. .. .. ..2. E.junceum. 



Leaves narrow, toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . var. campestre. 



Almost glabrous. Flowers large, white . . . . . . . . 3. E. pallidiflorum. 



Glabrous. Stems red. Flowers small, red .. .. .. .. i. E. Billardierianum. 



