GERANiAcaa;. 41 



Obbeb XXI. GERANIA'CES. CGebanium Family.) 



Herbs (often strong-scented) with symmetrical flowers, 

 having the parts in fives or threes, the filaments usually 

 united at the base, and glands on the receptacle alternate 

 with the petals. Stigmas 5 or 3. Carpels 5 or 3, each 1-2- 

 ovuled, they and the lower part of the styles attached to an 

 axis wh'ch rises from the receptacle. In the fruit the styles 

 split away from the axis, carrying the carpels with them. 



Synopsis of tbe Genera. 



1. Geraulniu. Stamens 10, all with anthers. 



2. Ero'dluni. Stamens with anthers, only S. 



3. FIcerk'ea. Stamens 6. Sepals, petals, and ovaries 3. 



1. eEBANim, L. Cbasesbill. 



1. G. maeula'tum, L. (WildC.) Perennial. Stem erect, 

 hairy, about a foot high. Leaves 5-7-parted, the wedge- 

 shaped divisions lobed and cut. Flowers purple, an inch 

 across. Petals entire, bearded on the claw, much longer them 

 the long-pointed sepals. — Open woods and fields. 



2. G. inei'sum, Nutt. Perennial. Yillous a,ni gUtndular- 

 pubescent. Leaves 5-7-cleft nearly to the base, the lobes cut 

 into narrow divisions. Petals deep purple. — ^N. W. 



3. G. CaFOlinia'niun, L. (Cabolina C.) Not perennial. 

 Stem usually decumbent, hairy. Sepals aion-pointed, as 

 long as the notched rose-coloured petals. — Waste places. 



4. G. Robertia'num, L. (HebbEobkbt.) Not perennial. 

 Stems reddish, spreading, pubescent; branches weak. 

 Leaves 3-divided, or pedately 5-divided, the divisions twice 

 pinnatifid. Sepals awned, shorter than the reddish-purple 

 petals. Plant with a very strong odour.— Shaded ravines 

 and moist woods. 



4. G. pusil'lum, L. (SMAIiL-FLOWKEED C.) Not perennial. 

 Stem procumbent, slender, minutely pubescent. Leaves 

 rounded, kidney-shaped, deeply 5-7-cleft, the divisions 

 wedge-shaped. Sepals awntess, about the same length as the 

 purplish petals. — Waste places. 



