OERANIACEM. 41 



VIII. OXALIDEJE. 



15. Oxalis L. — Mowers regular (sometimes 2-morplious) ; recep- 

 tacle convex. Sepals 6, imbricate ; th.e exterior usually marked 

 with. 2-Qo glandxilar spots. Petals same in number (sometimes small 

 or 0) alternate contorted deciduous, often cobering at margin and 

 sligbtly insymmetrical. Stamens 10, 2-seriate ; filaments free or 

 coalescing at base ; tbe alternipetalous longer and accompanied out- 

 side tbe base by a small scale of various form ; antbers introrse, 

 2-looular, often versatile, 2-rimose. Germen superior ; cells 5, 

 oppositipetalous ; styles same in number ; apex stigmatiferous 

 variously incrassate, capitate, 2-fid or lacinate recurved. Ovules 

 in cells 2-oo , 2-seriate, descendent ; micropyle extrorse superior, some- 

 times obturated by a small processus of tbe placenta. Fruit capsular 

 loculicidal ; valves persistiug to columella by middle of ' septa or 

 rarely solute and patent {Biophytwm). Exterior seed coat fleshy, 

 falliug elastically and solute from crustaceous testa ; albumen fleshy ; 

 inferior cotyledons of straight embryo foliaoeous. — Small sburbs ro 

 mostly herbs ; stem often subterraneous, sometimes bulbous or tuber- 

 culose fleshy, varied in form; leaves radical or cauline alternate 

 exstipulate ; petiole sometimes phyllodinoiis ; limb pinnate or oftener 

 digitate 3-oo -foliate, sometimes ; flowers solitary or in cymes at 

 summit of peduncle, often 1 -parous, umbelliform. {All temp, regions 

 and some tropical). See p. 22. 



16. Hypseocharis Remt^. — Flowers (nearly of Oxalis) 5-merous ; 

 stamens 15, finally more or less in 3-series. Glands oo , unequal 

 minute outside the androceum. Other characters of Oxalis. — Peren- 

 nial herbs ; stems short sometimes subterraneous ; leaves alternate 

 pinnate oo -foliolate or deeply cut ; folioles entire or 3-lobed ; inflores- 

 cence of Oxalis cymose few flowered umbelliform, pedunculate. 

 [Bolivian Andes.) See p. 26. 



17. Averrhoa L. — Flowers of Oxalis, 5-merous eglandular; 

 stamens 10, all fertile, or the oppositipetalous antherless. Ovules co . 

 Fruit baccate oblong, 5-agonal, indehiscent. Other characters of 

 Oxalis. — Trees or shrubs ; leaves alternate exstipulate imparipinnate 

 or 1-3-foliolate (Connaropsis) ; flowers in compound cymes, short 

 axillary terminal or springing from wood of branches. {Trop. Asia.) 

 See p. 26. 



VOL. V. ^ 



