462 



CXI. MESEMBRYANTHEMB^. 



As thus constituted, FicoidecB are intermediate between Caryophyllece, Portulacem and Paronyekiea, 

 and indeed form one aggregate order with them. It diifers from Cmyophi/llecB in the 2-oo -celled ovary, 

 usually alternate leaves, and absence of petals; from Portulacece in the never 2-sepalous calyx and 

 the 2-00 -celled ovary ; and from Paronychiecs in habit, 2-qo -celled ovary, simple stigma, and dehiscence of 

 the capsule. FicoidecB also rank near Phytolaecea and PolygonecB. As a whole they may be regarded as 

 the perigynous many-celled representatives of those orders. 



Most of the Ficoidec^ are weeds of dry hot regions throughout the globe; their properties are 

 unimportant. — Ed.] 



CXI. MESEMBRYANTHEMEJE? 



(FiCOiDEAKUM genera, jMssiew.— Mesbmbriantheme^, Fenzl.) 



Calyx superior. Petals and stamens indefinite, epigynous. Ovary several- 

 celled, with linear parietal placentas, occupying the bottom of the cells. Capsule 

 depressed, many-valved. Seeds numerous. Embryo curved. Albumen /armaceoMs. 



Stem sub-woody or rarely herbaceous or fleshy. Leaves opposite or alternate, 

 fleshy, plane or cylindric or trigonous, exstipulate. Flowers 5 , regular, axillary 

 or terminal, inflorescence various, generally Opening towards noon, sometimes in 

 the evening, gold, saff'ron, purple, violet, pink or white. Calyx superior, 5- (rarely 

 2-8-) partite, segments herbaceous, leafy or semi-scarious, usually unequal, imbri- 

 cate. Petals numerous, inserted on the calyx, usually many-seriate, linear. 



Mesemhryanlkemum. 

 Vertical section of flower (mag.). 



Meseinhiijanthemum faldforme. 



Mcsemhryanihemum. 

 Diagram. 



See Tribe I. of Fkoidecs, p. 461. 



Mesemhryariihemum . 

 Stamens (mag.). 



Mesembfyanthemum. 

 Seed, entire and cut vertically (mag.). 



