CABYOPHTLLALES. 549 



to be one of the moBt delicious of all fruits, is produced by Oarcinia 

 Mangostana, a small tree of the Moluccas. 



The fruit of Mammea Americana, a tall West Indian tree, is known 

 as the Mammee Apple. It is as large as a melon, and its yellow pulp 

 is said to he delicious. 



A Central American species of GalopJiyllum yields a pale reddish, very 

 durable timber known as Santa Maria wood. 



Order Hypericacese. — Herbs and shrubs (a few trees) with opposite 

 glandular-punctate leaves, and monocliuous flowers. Stamens united 

 i uto three or five bundles (Fig. 526). Species 210, ^ 



mostly found in temperate climates. 



Our species are all herbs or low shrubs, be- 

 longing to the genera Hypericum and Ascyrum. 



A species of Cratoxylon, in tropical India, is a 

 large tree with dark brown wood; 



Order Elatiuacese. — Containing a few marsh 

 plants. 



601.— Cohort XXXlil. Caryophyll- ^^fs^^^^-; 

 ales. Flowers actinomorphic ; stamens mm 

 generally definite, usually as many or 

 twice as many as the petals ; ovary superior, one-celled ; pla- 

 centa usually central and free ; seeds with endosperm. 



Order TamariscineEe. — Mostly shrubs of the Old World, with mi- 

 nute alternate simple leaves. 



Of the forty species, but three are found in the New World, and all 

 these reach our extreme Southwestern border. 



Tamarix Gallica, the Tamarisk of Europe to India, is o. common 

 ornamental shrub in this country. 



Order Portnlaoacese. — Herbs and a 4ew small shrubs, with alter, 

 nate or opposite leaves ; sepals generally two. Species 125, widely dis- 

 tributed, but most abundant in the New World. 



Portulaca oleracea, the common Purslane, is an East Indian, or possi- 

 bly South European weed. It was formerly used as a pot herb. 



P. grandiflora, the Portulaca of the gardens, is a pretty flowering 

 annual. 



Glaytonia and Calandrinia, which have many native representatives, 

 are ornamental. 



Order CaryophyllacesB. — The Pink Family. Mostly herbs with 

 opposite leaves ; sepals four or five, free or united into a tube ; placenta 

 central. Species 800, distributed throughout the world, but most 

 abundant in Arctic, Alpine, European, and Western Asiatic couij- 

 tries. 



