282 Oedeb 37.— KUTAOB^. 



Pistils 2 to 5, separate or combined into a compound ovary, with aa many cells, sessile 

 or raised on a stipe (gynophore) ; styles mostly cohering. Fruit capsular, or separat- 

 ing into its component 1 or 2-seeded carpels. 



Genera TO, epeoies 500 or more, generally natives of 8. America and the temperate climeB 

 of other lands, few in N. America. They are generally possessed of a strongly aromatic, pun- 

 gent taate or fetid odor, antispasmodic and tonic properties. 



SUBOBDEES AND GEKEBA. 



RUTE^. Flowers perfect. (Herbs. Stamens 10). 



Petals equal, concave. Capsule 6-lobed Epta 1 



Petals unequal, clawed. Capsules separable Diotamnub 2 



XANTHOXYLEjB. Flowers 8 5 S . (Trees, shrubs.) 



Pistils 3—5, separate below. Stamens 3—6. . Xanthoxiium 8 



Pistils 2, united. Samara 2-seeded Ptelea i 



Pistils S to 6, separate. Samara 1-seeded Ailahthus 5 



1. RUTA, L. EuB. Calyx of 4 to 5 sepals, united at base ; petals 

 4 — 5j concave, obovate, distinct, torus surrounded by 10 nectariferous 

 pores ; stamens 10 ; capsule lobed. — U Herbaceous or sbrubby, mostly 

 European. 



R. gravfeolens L. Common Eue. Sufifruticous, nearly glabrous; Ivs. 2 to 

 3-pinnately divided, segments oblong, obtuse, terminal ones obovate-cuneate, all 

 entire or irregularly cleft | fls. terminal, corymbous ; pet. entire. — Native of S. 

 Europe. St. branched, 3 to 4f high. Lfts. 6 to 10" by 2 to 4", conspicuously 

 dotted. Corolla yellow, 6" diam. Jn. — Sept. J. 



2. DICTAMNUS, L. Fraxinklla. Calyx of 5, deciduous sepals; 

 petals 5, unguiculate, unequal ; filaments 10, declinate, with glandular 

 dots ; capsules 5, slightly united. — If Herbs native of Germany. 



D. dlbus Willd. St. simple ; Ivs. pinnate,' the rachis more or less winged; fls. 

 in a large, terminal, erect panicle. — ^In gardens. Sts. 1 to 2f high. Fls„ showy, 

 white, varying to rose-color and purple. The whole plant emits a lemon-scented, 

 aromatic, volatile oil, which is, of course, inflammable, but probably does not, as 

 once afBrmed, render the air (about it) inflammable. (D. Praxinella Link.) 



;8 RUBRA. Hs. purple ; rachis of the leaves winged, 



3. XANTHOXYLUM, L. Prickly Ash. (Gr. |ov06c, yellow, |i3Aov, 

 wood.) Sepals 4 or 5 ; petals 4 or 5, or wanting ; stamens as many as 

 the petals in $ , rudimentary in ? ; pistils 3 to 5, distinct below, with 

 coherent styles, in fruit crustaceous ; 2-valved, 1 or 2-seeded. — Shrubs 

 or trees with sharp pricMes, pinnate leaves, and small, greenish 

 flowers. 



1 X. Amerlcixiuni Miller. Prickly; lfts. ovate, snbentire, sessile, equal at base; 

 umbels axillary ; sepals 5, petaloid, petals wanting (more properly petals 5, calyx 

 wanting). — A siirub 10 or 12f high, found in woods in most parts of the U. S. 

 The branches are armed with strong, conical, brown prickles, with a broad base. 

 Lfts. about 5 pairs, with an odd' one, smooth above, downy beneath ; common 

 petioles, with or without prickles. Ms. in small, dense umbels, axillary, greenish, 

 appearing before the leaves ; seeds large, black. The bark is bitter, aromatic, and 

 stimulant, used for rheumatism and to alleviate the toothache. Apr., May. 



2 X. Carolinianum Lam. Prickly ; lfts. falcate-lanceolate, very inequilateral, 

 petiolulate; fls. in terminal, umbel-like panicles; sep. minute.— Southern States. 

 Tree attaining considerable size. Some in woods N. of Montgomery, Ala., are 

 nearly 40f high, with trunk 10 or 12' diam. Eark light gray, with the prickles 

 protruding through large, corky cones. Lvs. 6 to 15' long, smooth and shining 

 both sides. Lfts. 7 to 13, obscurely crenate-serrate, only the odd one equUateral. 

 Fls. numerous, globular, finally expanded, and the 5 stamens exserted. Bark 



