CHAPTER XL. 



DICOTYLEDONS CONTINUED. 



Topic V; Dicotyledons with distinct petals and 

 hypogynous flowers. 



URTICIFLORjE. 



513. The nettle family (urticaceae). — The nettle family receives its name 

 from the members of one genus in which the stinging nettles are found 

 (urtica). The dicecious nettle (U. dioica) has opposite, petioled leaves, 

 which are ovate, with a heart-shaped base. The margins of the leaves are 



Fig- 344- 



The dicecious nettle (Urtica dioica), 



showing leaves, flower clusters, and 



below staminate flower at the right 



and pistillate flower at left. 



Fig. 345- 

 Urtica, diagram of 

 male flower. 



Fig. 34°- 

 Urtica, diagram of 

 female flower. 



deeply serrate, and the lower surface is downy. The stems and petioles of 

 the leaves are armed with stinging hairs. 



514. The greenish flowers are borne in dense clusters in the form of 

 branched racemes which arise from the axils of the leaves. The staminate 



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