DICOTYLEDONE S -CALYCIFLOEiE 



347 



Distribution and Numbers. — They are principally natives of 

 tropical regions, but a few are also extra- tropical, being found in 

 North America, China, Australia, and also in the northern 

 provinces of India. lUitstrativc Genera: — Melastoma, Juss. ; 

 IMedinilla, Gaud. There are about 2,000 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The prevailing character of these 

 plants is a slight degree of astringency. Many produce edible 

 fruits, and some are used for dyeing. Generally speaking, the 

 plants of this order possess but little interest from a medicinal or 

 economic point of view, but none are unwholesome. A number 

 of species are cultivated in this country on account of the beauty 

 of their flowers. 



Order 144. Lythrace^, the Loosestrife Order. — Character. 



Fig. 1108. 



Fie. 1109. 



Fig 1108 Vertical section of tlie flower of the Purple Loosestrife (Lyltirum 

 .■ialicarin).- -Fig. llOd. Calyx of tlie same. 



Herbs or rarely shrnbs, frequently 4-sided. Leaves opposite or 

 rarely alternate, entire, and exstipulate. Flowers regular or 

 irregular. Ca hjx persistent, ribbed, tubular below, the lobes with 

 a valvate aestivation, sometimes with intermediate teeth. Petals 

 inserted between the lobes of the calyx and alternate with 

 them, occasionally wanting; deciduous. Stamens perigynous, 

 inserted below the petals, to which they are equal in number, 

 or twice as many, or even more numerous ; anthers adnate, 2- 

 oelled, opening longitudinally. Ovarij superior, 1- 2- or 6-celled ; 

 ovules numerous or rarely few; style 1, filiform; stigma 

 capitate or rarely 2-lobed. Fruit capsular, membranous, dehis- 

 cent, surrounded by the non-adherent calyx-tube. Seeds 



