26 



FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 



7. COMMELINACE^. Spiderwokt Family. 



Herbs, with slimy or mucilaginous juice ; stems somewhat 

 succulent, jointed, leafy, simple or branched. Leaves simple, 

 succulent, narrow, entire, sheathing at the base, sheaths entire 



Fig, 5. — Acorus Calmrms. 

 A, spadix ; B, a Bingle flower, enlarged ; C, diagram of flower, enlarged. 



or split. Flowers in terminal cymes or umbels, perfect, often 

 irregular. Sepals 3, persistent, f oliaceous or colored. Petals 3, 

 soon falling or liquefying ; stamens 6 or fewer, often some of 

 them abortive. Ovary 2-3-.celled ; style single, stigma entire 

 or 3-lobed, fruit a 2-3-celled, 2-3-valved capsule, seeds soli- 

 tary or several in each cell.* 



