CaryopJiyllacece l6l 



CARYOPHYLLACE^. 



Typical plant, tke Greater Stitchwort {Stellaria Holostea). 



Note, the plant is herbaceous ; the leaves are opposite, ex- 

 stipulate ; in some few genera there are small scarious (scaly) 

 stipules. The stem is swollen at the nodes. Inflorescence a 

 dichotomous cyme (fig, 156), usually to be found in the order ; 

 calyx five separate sepals (in some genera calyx is gamose- 

 palous) ; corolla five petals notched (this is often met with in 

 the order, and in many cases the petals are unguiculate, figs. 

 180, 181, and 19s); stamens ten, seldom in the order fewer; 

 pistil with syncarpous ovary, three styles (in the order the number 

 varies from two to five); free central placentation, very cha- 

 racteristic of order. A very wide-spread order, found in all parts 

 of the tempera,te regions, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, 



Principal Plants of the Order. 



Cerastium, Mouse-ear Chickweed (fig. 156). A numerous 

 genus. Flowers with separate sepals, two-cleft petals, five 

 styles; the fruit often prolonged in a horn-like manner, and 

 opens by ten valves or teeth. 



Dianthus, Pink (fig. 147). Calyx gamosepalous, with two 

 or more scales (bracts) outside, two styles. There are several 

 species cultivated, such as the Clove Pink or Carnation, Maiden 

 Pink, Cheddar Pink, Sweet-william, &c. 



Lychnis (fig. 194). Gamosepalous calyx, ebracteate; ovary 

 with five styles. Several species grow as common weeds, such 

 as Ragged Robin, Evening Campion, and Corn-cockle. 



Silene. Differs from the Lychnis in having three or four 

 styles. Several species of Campion and Catchfly. 



Stellaria. Differs from Cerastium in having three styles, 

 and capsule opening by six valves or teeth. Several species of 

 Chickweed and Stitchwort. 



We now come to the — 



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