Amaranthacee— Amaranthus. 389 
albuminous, with a hard usually shining testa. There are 
between 40 and 50 genera, and nearly 500 species belonging 
to this order. They are chiefly tropical, and we have nv native 
representatives. 
1. AMARANTHUS. 
Coarse-growing annuals with alternate entire leaves and 
small green or red flowers in large bracteate clustered spikes. 
Fig. 208, Amaranthus caudatus. (4 nat. size.) 
Flowers polygamous, furnished with 3 bracts at the base of a 3- 
or 5-lobed glabrous perianth. Stamens free, 5 or 3. Fruita 
