GAMOPETAL^— LABIATE 153 



belladonna. The Tobacco-plant (Nicotiand) contains a poison- 

 ous alkaloid, nicotin. The Tomato (Lycopersicwni) is cultivated 

 for the sake of its fruits (berries). Cayenne pepper is obtained 

 from the red fruits of Capsicum. Some Solanacese are orna- 

 mental plants grown in gardens — e.g. Petunia, Datura (with 

 prickly capsules), Nicotiana. 



BORAGINACE.S (Forget-me-not Family) 



Herbs, often with stiff hairs. Leaves alternate, entire, 

 exstipulate. Inflorescence, a scorpioid cyme. Flowers regular, 

 cyclic, hypogynous. Sepals five, gamosepalous. Petals five, 

 gamopetalous. Stamens five, epipetalous. Carpels two, syn- 

 carpous, superior ; ovary four-lobed, divided into four chambers 

 each containing one ovule ; style one, inserted between the 

 four lobes of the ovary. Fruit a schizocarp separating into 

 four nutlets. 



Type : SCORPION GRASS, FORGET-ME-NOT {Myosotis). 



The flowers exhibit the characters given above. In addi- 

 tion, we observe that the scorpioid cyine is a curved cyme 

 looking like a raceme r the best method of regarding this 

 inflorescence is to consider the axis as a sympode (see figs. 80, 

 81) made up of a number of monochasia (one-branched cymes). 

 In each flower we note — (i.) Five little scales attached to the 

 corolla and roofing over its mouth. These form the corona 

 which protects the pollen and honey, (ii.) The five stamens 

 are hidden in the corolla-tube, and have introrse anthers, 

 (iii.) The honey is excreted by the fleshy base of the ovary 

 and collects at the bottom of the corolla-tube. 



The Heliotrope {Heliotropium), commonly cultivated in 

 hot-houses, differs in having an ovary which is not lobed. 



LABIAT.^ (Dead Nettle Family) 



Herbs or shrubs with four-sided stems. Leaves opposite, 

 exstipulate. Inflorescences opposite, axillary, cymose clusters. 

 Flower irregular, cyclic, hypogynous. Sepals five, gamo- 

 sepalous. Petals five, gamopetalous, usually two-lipped. 

 Stamens two or four, epipetalous; if there be four, two are 

 longer and two shorter. Carpels two, syncarpous ; ovary four- 



