Oedbr 33.— ZTGOPHYLLACE^. 279 



17 P. rddula A. I/oa. palmate, rough, lobes narrow, pinnatifld, revolute at edge, 

 with linear segments ; umbels few-flowered ; nectary nearly as long as the calyi. — 

 Distinguished for its large rough leaves deeply divided into linear segments, and 

 and with a mint-lilte fragrance. Fls. purple. 



18 P. quercifdlium A, Oak-leated Geeanidm. Lvs. cordate, pinnatifid 

 with rounded recesses, lobes obtusely oronate; branches and petioles hispid. — 

 Lvs. rough, often spotted. Fla. purplish. 



Ohn. The above iiro among the more distinguished and popular species of this vast and 

 fiivorite genus. Innumerable varieties produced from seeds and propagated by cuttings are 

 equally common and often of superior beauty. No genus seems to be regarded with so universal 

 favor for greenhouse giants as this. The species and their multitudes of hybrid creations, pro- 

 duced by modern ingenuity, are cultivated with assiduous attention by nearly every family 

 which makes the least pretensions to taste throughout the civilized world. 



Order XXXII. OXALIDACE^. Wood Sorrels. 



Stems low, herbaceous, with an acid juice and alternate compound loaves. Flow- 

 en regular, symmetrical, hypogynous, 5-morou3. Sepals persistent, imbricato4; 

 petals convolute in sestivation. Stamens 16, somewhat monadelphous, those opp<> 

 site the petals longest. Styles 5, aepavale ; capsvXe 5-celled,-aoveral-seeded ; seeds 

 albuminous, (niust. ifi Figs. 59. 64, 585.) '' 



Genera 7, species 328' inhabiting tlie hot and tho temperate regions. The most noticeable 

 property of the Order is the sour juice, containing oxalic acid. Several species are cultivated 

 for the beauty of their flowers. 



OXALIS, L. Wood Sorrel. (Gr. d^vg, sour.) Sepals 5, distinct 

 or united at base ; petals much longer than tho calyx ; styles 5, capi- 

 tate ; capsule oblong or sub-globous : carpels 5, 1 to several-seeded. — 

 Mostly If, with trifoliate lvs. and inversely heart-shaped leaflets. 



1 O. Acetosglla L. Acaulescent; scope longer than tho leaves, \-floivered ; Mis. 

 broad-obcordate with rounded lobes ; sty. as long as the inner stamens ; rt. den- 

 tate, scaly. — Woods and shady places, Can. and Northern States. Lvs. palmately 

 3-foliate, on long, weak stalks, purplish beneath. Ped. longer than the leaves, 

 each with a nodding, scentless flower whose petals are white, yellowish at the base, 

 delicately veined with purple. Tho whole plant has an agreeable acid taste. Jn. 



2 O. violi.oea L. Acatdescenl, smooth ; scape unibdiferous ; pedicels, snbpubes- 

 cent; fls. nodding; tips of tho calyx fleshy; sty. shorter than the outer sta- 

 mens. — An elegant species in rocky woods, etc., throughout tho U. S. Bulb 

 scaly. Scape nearly twice longer than the leaves, 5 to 8' high. Lvs. palmately 

 3-foliate, sometimes none ; Ifts. nearly twice as wide as long, with a very shallow 

 sinus at the very broad apex. Umbels of 3 to 9 droopmg flowens. Petals large, 

 violet-colored, striate. , May. 



3 O. strfcta L. Caulescent; st. branching; ped. umbehferous, longer than tho 

 petioles ; sty. as long as the inner stamens. — <T) Fields, U. S. and Can., common. 

 It varies in size from 3 to 12', according to the soil. St. leafy, round, smooth, 

 succulent. Lvs. palmately 3-foliate, numerous, scattered, on long stalks. Um- 

 bels on long, axUlary stalks, mostly much longer than the petioles. Fls. small, 

 yellow, appearing all summer. Capsules sparingly hirsute, with spreading hairs. — 

 When the plant is unsupported, it is more or less decumbent, and is tho variety 



3. cORNlonLATA (0. cornioulata L). — Obs. The species (nearly 300 in number) 

 are all pretty, and many from Europe and Africa are becoming rather common 

 in cultivation. 



Order XXXIII. ZYGOPIIYLLACE^. BEA:f Capers. 



Herbs, shrubs or trees, with leaves opposite, mostly pinnate (not dotted) and 

 stipulate ; flowers 4 or 5-merous, calyx imbricated and corolla convolute in sestiva- 

 tion. Stamens twice as many as petals, hjrpogynous, distinct, each often with a 

 scale. Ovary compound ; frait and seeds as in Einaoeae. 



