96 Rulacce—Dictamuus. a 
1. DICTAMNUS. 
Calyx 5-partite, deciduous, the lower segments longest. 
Petals 5, the four upper ones ascending, the lower one distant, 
turned downwards. Disk annular, fleshy. Stamens 10, free, 
declinate. Fruit consisting of five confluent rostrate 2- or 3- 
seeded carpels, dehiscing in two valves. One species, widely 
dispersed in the north temperate zone in the Old World. This 
is a very variable plant, and has been divided into several 
species by some authors. A classical name. 
1. D. albus (fig. 62). Fraxinella or Dittany.—An erect 
suffrutescent herb about 2 feet high. Leaves alternate, un- 
equally pinnate, exhaling a 
powerful odour when rubbed. 
This is a handsome plant and 
a very old inhabitant of cot- 
tage gardens. There are rose, 
bright red and white varieties. 
Native of Central and South- 
ern Europe, flowering in early 
Spring. - 
2. PTELEA. 
Deciduous shrubs or small 
trees with bitter bark, usually 
alternate trifoliolate or pin- 
nate leaves with pellucid dots, 
cymoseinconspicuous yellowish 
green flowers, and orbicular 
winged fruits. Flowers poly- 
gamous. Calyx 4- or 5-partite, 
lobes imbricate. Petals 4 or 5, 
much longer than the calyx. 
Stamens 4 or 5. Ovary 2- or 
3-celled, with 2 ovules in each 
cell. There are six species, 
from temperate North Ame- 
rica. mredéa is the Greek name of Ulimus campéstris, which 
like this has winged fruits. 
1. P. trifoliatu. Hop-tree.— A small tree of no special 
merit, with trifoliolate glabrous yellowish green leaves on long 
petioles; leaflets ovate, obscurely crenate. The leaves and fruits 
when bruised emit a powerful odour resembling hops. There 
is a variegated variety. 
Fig. 62. Dictamnus ulbus. (4 nat. size.) 
