740 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



corolla 4-lobed, hypogynous; stamens 4 or 2 or only 1, inserted on the throat 

 or tube of the corolla; ovary 1-2 celled, or falsely 3-4-celled, sessile; ovule 1, 

 several ovules in each cavity; fruit a pyxis, circumscissile, at or below the 

 middle or a nutlet. 



3 genera, 2 native to North America, and more than 200 species, of wide 

 distribution. None of the plants are of any economic importance. The seeds 

 of several species {Plantago major and Plantago Rugelii) are used to feed 

 birds. The P. ovata is used in France as a salad. The seeds of P. arenaria 

 of Europe and P. indica are used for sizing in the manufacture of muslin. AH 

 of the seeds of the genus have a mucilaginous testa. 



Fig. 430. Hardy Catalpa (_Catalpa speciosa). 1, Panicle of flowers 

 2, Longitudinal section of flower. 3, Single fruit. 4, Seed. 5, I,ongi- 

 tumal section of seed. All one-half natural size. (M. M. Cheney in 

 Green's Forestry in Minnesota). 



RUBIALES 



Leaves opposite or whorled; flowers with gamopetalous corolla, separate 

 anthers; stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla and alternate with them 



