524 



BOTANY 



Fig. 487. — Hypericum tetrapterum. a, Flower, somewhat 

 magnified ; &, fruit ; p, the dried, persistent petals. 

 (X2.) 



ZYGOMORPHIO ; stamens five ; ovary unilocular, with parietal placentae, 

 style simple ; seeds albuminous, with straight embryo (Figs. 

 485, 486). 



The family includes herbs, shrubs, and trees, frequently with leaves having 



large stipules ; it is represented, 

 though not by a large number of 

 genera, in all zones. Viola, the 

 Violet, Pansy or Heart's-ease, has 

 always axillary, zygomorphic 

 flowers with the anterior petal 

 prolonged into a hollow spur 

 enclosing spur - like nectarial 

 appendages of the two lower 

 stamens (Fig. 486, B, nt). Many 

 species of Viola, in addition to 

 the conspicuous flowers provided 

 with nectaries and adapted to 

 insect - pollination, bear cleisto- 



gamous flowers which contain no honey and are self-pollinated (cf. p. 285). The 



entomophilous flowers, although so well equipped, are very often sterile. 

 Officinal. — Herba Violae 



tricoloris is obtained from Viola 



tricolor. 



Family Hyperieaeeae. — 



Flowers actinomorphic, 

 stamens three or five, deeply 



DIVIDED INTO NUMEROUS 



branches ; ovary unilocular 

 or multilocular, with parietal 

 placentas and free styles ; 

 seeds without endosperm. 

 Leaves opposite, dotted 



WITH OIL-GLANDS (Fig. 487). 



Members of this family are 

 found widely distributed in both 

 the temperate and warmer zones. 

 Many species of Hypericum (e.g. the 

 common St. John's-wort, H. perfor- 

 atum) are common wayside- weeds. 



Family Clusiaceae. — Flowers 

 DiffiClous, with numerous stamens. 

 Ovary multicarpellary ; stigma 

 rayed. Woody plants with resin 



CE. GUM-RESIN CANALS. 



The Clusiaceae are represented 

 in the tropical forests by numerous arborescent forms, of which some (Clusia) are 

 epiphytic. The fruit (mangosteen) of Garcinia Mangostana, found in Further 

 India, is highly prized. 



Fig. 48S. — Thea chiTiensis. 1, Flowering branch; 2, 

 flower cut through longitudinally ; 3, fruit ; 4, seed. 

 (After Wossidlo.) 



