580 



BOTANY 



and Scrophulariaceae, on the other hand, there are no uniformly constant distinctions, 

 the Scrophulariaceae representing rather a continuation of the Solanaceae. The 

 other families embraced by the Personatae, with the exception of the Acanthaceae, 

 Glohulariaceae, and Plantaginaceae, are all closely allied to the Scrophulariaceae. 



Family Solanaeeae. — Corolla plaited in the bud, usually actino- 

 morphic ; androecium pentamerotjs ; carpels obliquely placed with 



Fig. 566. — Nicotiana Taoaewin (£ nat. size). — 

 Poisonous and Officinal. 



Fig. 567. — Atropa Belladonna (£ nat. size).- 

 Poisonovs and Officinal. 



reference to the median plane of the flower ; ■seeds with endosperm 

 (Figs. 564, 569). 



The majority of the Solanaceae are herbs (in the Tropics also 

 represented by shrubs and small trees), with numerous, often 

 glandular hairs, and not unfrequently with prickles. In the region of 

 the inflorescence the leaves are often borne in pairs, consisting of one 

 large and one smaller leaf. This peculiar disposition of the leaves is 

 due to the displacement of the bracteoles and subtending bracts, which 

 adhering to their growing axillary shoots are carried up a distance on 

 them (Fig. 567). The flowers are either solitary or grouped in 



