CHAPTER XL. 



DICOTYLEDONS CONTINUED. 



Topic V; Dicotyledons with distinct petals and 

 hypogynous flowers. 



URTICIFLORyE. 



513. The nettle family (urticaceae). — The nettle family receives its name 

 from the members of one genus in which the stinging nettles are found 

 (urtica). The dioecious nettle (U. dioica) has opposite, petioled leaves, 

 which are ovate, with a heart-shaped base. The margins of the leaves are 



Goo 



Fig- 345- 

 Urtica, diagram of 

 male flower. 



Fig- 344- 

 The dicEcious nettle (Urtica dioica), 

 showing leaves, flower clusters, and 

 below staminate flower at the right 

 and pistillate flower at left. 



Fig. 346. 

 Urtica, diagram of 

 female flower. 



deeply serrate, and the lower surface is down}'. The steins and petioles of 

 the leaves are armed with stinging hairs. 



514. The greenish flowers are borne in dense dusters in the form of 

 branched racemes which arise from the axils of the leaves. The staminate 



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