CLXXXI. CHENOPODE^. 



63? 



Teibb I. GELOSIEjE. 

 Anthers 2-celled. Ovary many-ovuled. 



PEINCIPAL GENEEA. 



Deeringia. 



* Celosia. 



Hermbstsedtia. 



Anthers 2-celled. 



Tbibe H. AGEYRANTHE^. 

 Ovary 1-ovuled. 



PRINCIPAL GENEEA. 

 Chamissoa. * Araarantus. Euxolus. Psilotrichum. 



Digera. Aerva. Achyrantlies. Cyathula. 



Trichinium. Pupalia. Polycnemum. 



Teibe III. GOMPHRENEM 

 Anthers 1-celled. Ovary 1-ovuled. 



Iresine. 



PEINCIPAL GENEEA, 

 Altarnanthera. Telanthera. * Gomphrena. 



Fioeliohia. 



Amarantacea in their embryo and farinaceous albumen are near Chenopodea, BaseUea, PhytolaccecB, 

 and Paronychiece. Their affinity -witli Chmopodece is so close (the latter only differing in their distinct 

 styles and herbaceous calyx) that it is difficult to draw a clear diagnosis between them, although they 

 are widely separated by habit. BasclUfe differ in habit, perigynous stamens, usually cubical pollen, &c. ; 

 Phytoluccem, in their whorled ovaries borne on a gynophore ; Paron^chiees, in their scale-like petals, 

 perigynous stamens, scanous stipules, &c. 



Amaramtace(e are mostly tropical, but are not rare in sub-tropical regions ; very few are met with in 

 the [north] temperate zone, and they are absolutely wanting in cold countries. [Many are Australian.] 

 Various Amarantacece contain mucilage and sugar, and are hence alimentary and emollient ; some are 

 slightly astringeiit, other diaphoretic and diuretic, or tonic and stimulatipg. Amarantus Blitum is eaten 

 as a spinach in the south of Europe, as are other species in China and India, where the natives abstain 

 from animal food. Oomphrena glohosa, Celosia argentea and margaritacea, Aerva lunula, &c., are used 

 as resolvents. The flowers of. Celosia cristata (Cockscomb) are astringent, and prescribed in Asia for 

 diarrhoea, menorrhagif|., vomiting of blood, &c. The tuberous roots of Gomphrena officinalis and macro- 

 cq)hala, from Brazil, are tonic and stimulating, and are hence regarded as a panacea, and under the 

 name oipuratu4o -^hey are a reputed remedy for weakness of the stomach and inte.stines, and are especially 

 used as a febrifuge. Amarantus frumentaceus and Anordana are cultivated in the Himalayas on account 

 of their edible seeds. 



CLXXXI. CEENOPODEJE. 



(Atbiplicbs, Jussieu. — Cheitopode^, Br. — Chenopodie^, Bartling. — Chenopo- 

 niACE^, Lindl. — Salsolacb^, Moquin-Tandon.) 



Flowers 5 or diclinous, Peeianth herhaceous, regula/r, 5-3-2-phyllous, persis- 

 tent. Stamens suh-perigynous or hypogynous, equal and opposite to the sepals, or fewer. 

 OvAET 1-celled, 1-ovuled ; qvule curved. Embryo annula/r or semi-annular, or 

 ■ spirally coiled, Alpumbn usually farinaceous, sometimes 0, 



