MONOCOTYLBDONES 193 



Series 2. — Epigynce, 



Order 5. Zinoiberace^ or SoiTAMiNACEa;, the Ginger 

 Order. — C h a r a o t e r. — Aromatic herbs, witli creeping rhizomes, 

 and broad simple, stalked, sheathing leaves, with parallel 

 curved veins springing from the midrib. Flotvers arranged in 

 a spiked or racemose manner, and arising from among spatha- 

 ceous membranous bracts. Perianth superior, irregular, each 

 whorl consisting of 3 pieces. Stamens 6, in 2 whorls, all 

 abortive except the posterior one of the inner whorl ; anther 2- 

 celled ; filament not petaloid. Ovary inferior, S-celled ; placen- 

 tas nxile; style Slitorm. Fruit 1 — 3-celled, capsular or baccate. 

 Seeds numerous, albuminous ; embryo enclosed in endo- 

 sperm. 



By Benthmn and HooTcer the ttvo succeeding orders, Maran- 

 tacecB and Musacece, are included in JZingiberacece. 



Distribution amd Numbers. — Chiefly natives of tropical 

 regions. Illustrative Genera : — Zingiber, Odrtn. ; Curcuma, 

 Linn, ; Elettaria, Bheed. There are about 250 species. 



Properties amd Uses. — They are principally remarkable for 

 the stimulant aromatic properties possessed by their rhizomes 

 and seeds, owing to the presence of resins and volatile oils ; hence 

 several are used as condiments, and in medicine as aromatic 

 stimulants and stomachics. Some contain starch in large (Quan- 

 tities, which when extracted is employed for food. 



Order 6. MAEANTACE.ffi; or Cannace^, the Maranta Order. — 

 Character. — Herbaceous plants, without aromatic properties. 

 They have a close resemblance to the Zingiberacese. Their 

 distinctive characters are, in their more irregular perianth ; in 

 one of the lateral stamens of the inner whorl being fertUe, and 

 the other two abortive ; in the fertile stamen having a petaloid 

 filament, an entire or 2-lobed anther, one lobe of which is 

 sterile, and the anther therefore 1-celled ; in the style being 

 petaloid or swollen ; and in the embryo not being enclosed in 

 endosperm. 



Distribution amd Numbers. — Exclusively natives of tropical 

 regions. Illustrative Genera : — Maranta, Plum. ; Canna, Linn. 

 There are about 160 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The rhizomes of some species contain 

 starch, which when extracted is extensively used for food. 



Order 7. Musacb^, the Banana Order. — Character. — 

 Herbaceous plamts, often of large size. Leaves large, with 



VOL. II. o 



