XXV- FEANKENIACE^. 



253 



Frankenia pidverulenf^. 



Frankenia. 

 AudrcECi^m and pistil (mag.). 



Frankenia. Frankenia, 



ValTe of fruit (mag.). Dehiscent capsule (mag.). 



ascending. Capsule included in the calyx-tube, valves 3-4, placentiferous in tlieir 



lower half. Seeds ascending, ovoid; testa crustaceous; rajphe linear.; chalaza apical. 



Embkyo straight, in the axis of a floury albumen ; .cotyledons ovoid-oblong ; radicle 



very short, inferior. 



ONLY GENUS. 



Frankenia. 



This small family is closely allied to the tribe Sihneee of CaryophyllecB, but is distinguished by the ex- 

 trorse anthers, parietal placentation, seed with sub-terminal hilum, and straight embryo. It also approaches 

 TamariscmecB in hypopetalism, one-celled ovaiy, parietal placentation, ascending anatropous ovules, capsule- 

 valves seminiferous towards the base, and straight embryo ; but Tamariscinece differ in their nearly free 

 imbricate sepals, introrse anthers, exalbuminous seed, alternate leaves, and spiked inflorescence. 



Frankeniaeexe inhabit extra-tropical maritime "shores, and principally the Mediterranean and Atlantic, 



