CHAPTER XXIX 



MONOCOTYLEDONES 



The characters of this great division, including 25,000 

 species of plants, have already been given (page 304). The 

 number of species is sO' great that only' a few of the most 

 important will be given at this time. One of the most promi- 

 nent and best-known families is the lily family, which receives 

 early consideration. 



TYPHACE-Ti:. — Herbs (marsh or aquatic) ; perennial ; flower 

 monoecious, without floral envelopes and borne on a spadix 

 or in heads; leaves linear. This family contains the 

 very common aad well-known cattails {Typha. lot i folia and 

 T. angusti folia). 



GrBAMiNACEiB (Grass Family). — Herbs*; annual or peren- 

 nial ; stems usually hollow, f cylindrical, closed at nodes, in some 

 cases rhizomes; roots fibrous; leaves two^ranked, alternate, par- 

 allel-veined and the basal part sheathing the stem. Flowers usvi- 

 ally perfect, occasionally moncecious, dioecious or polygamous; 

 inflorescence in spikelets, which are collected into spikes or 

 pianicles; perianth imperfect, occasionally wanting; stamens 

 three or six, occasionally four, two or one; ovary superior, one- 

 chambered, one-ovuled ; styles two-, occasionally three-parted ; 

 eleistogamous or auemophilous (occasionally entomophilous) ; 

 fruit a caryopsis. 



This is one of the largest families and contains about 3500 

 species, vsddely distributed throughout the world and including 

 many of our most important forage plants and grains. A few 

 of the most important will be given special attention. 

 ^ The common wheat (Triiicum. viiJgare) (Fig. lo-i) is an an- 

 nual plant which is grown very extensively for the gi-ain. The 



* Shrubs or tree-like in tlie bamboos. 



t Corn is a member of the grass family with a solid stem. 



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