490 



CXIX. VALEEIANE^. 



Centranthus. 

 Flower (mag-)- 



Transve3?se sections of flower and ovary 

 (mag.)'. 



Centranfhus riiber^ 



Centranthus. 



Nearly ripe fruit 



(mag.). 



OmtranSltus, Centranthus. 



Fruit cut Vertical section of 



transversely (mag.), seed (magO- 



Centranthus, 

 Kipe fruit crowned by the calyx (magj. 



cent, coriac^eotfs or membranous, 3-celled or 1-celIed by suppression of the empty 

 cells, always 1-seeded. Seed inverted. Embryo s.traiglit, exalbuminous j radiele 

 superior. 



PEINCIPAL GENERA. 

 ' Valeriana. * Centranthus. * Fedia. * ValerianellsD. 



Nardostachys. Patrinia. 



The family of Vahrianem is very near Dipsacece ; as indicated by their opposite leaves, iiregular 

 terminal flowers, epigynous tubular staminiferoiis corolla, imbricate SBstivation, solitary pendulous nna- 

 tropous ovule, and simple style. The diagnosis consists in the corymbiform cyme, the three-cellecl 

 ovary, and the exalbuminous seed. Valerianea approach Composite in their toothed or plumose caly%, 

 epigynous staminiferous corolla, and solitary exalbuminous seed; they are separated from it by their 

 inflorescence, sestivation, nervation of the corolla, free anthers, three-celled ovary and pendulous ovule. 

 They ofier some analogy with Caprifoliaee<e in the terminal inflorescence, opposite leaves, sestivation, 



