SAXIFRAGACEJE. (SAXIFRAGE FAMILY.) 151 



3. PENTHORUM, Gronov. 



Sepals 5. Petals 5, often wanting. Stamens 10. Carpels 5, united into a 

 5-celled capsule, spreading at the summit, which falls away at maturity. Seeds 

 numerous. — Perennial (not fleshy) herbs, with alternate serrate leaves, and 

 yellowish flowers on one side of the rcvolute branches of the simple cyme. 



1. P. sedoides, L. Stem erect, l°-2° high; leaves lanceolate; petals 

 commonly none. — Ditches and muddy places, common. July- Sept 



Order 64. SAXIFRAGACEiE. (Saxtfrage Family.) 



Calyx of 4-5 more or less united sepals, free, or more, or less adherent 

 to the ovary, persistent. Petals as many as the sepals, rarely wanting. 

 Stamens as many, or 2-4 times as many, inserted with the petals on the 

 calyx. Ovaries 2 or sometimes 3-4, commonly united below, and sepa- 

 rate at the summit. Seeds few - many. Embryo straight, in the axis of 



fleshy albumen. 



Synopsis. 



Suborder I. SAXIFRAGEiE. Herbs. Petals imbricated in the 

 bud. Stipules adnate to the petiole, or none. 



* Stamens as many as the sepals. 



1. LEPUROPETALOX. Styles 3- Capsule 1-celled, beakless. 



2. HEUCIIERA. Styles 2 Capsule 1-eelled. 2-beaked. 



3. BOYKIXIA'. Styles 2. Capsule 2-celled, 2-beaked. 



* * Stamens twice as many as the sepals. 

 — Capsule 2-celled. 



4. SAXIFRAGA. Flowers perfect. Stamens 10. Leaves entire or lobed. 



5. ASTILBE. Flowers polygamous. Stamens 10. Leaves ternately compound. 



•*- •*- Capsule 1 celled. 



6. TIARELLA. Stamens 10. Petals 5 entire. 



7. MITELLA. Stamens 10 Petals 5, pinnatifid. 



8. C1IRYSOSPLENIUM. Stamens 8 - 10. Petals none. 



Suborder IT. ESCALLOXIE^E. Shrubs. Petals valvate in the 

 bud. Stipules none. Leaves alternate. 



9. ITEA. Stamens and petals 5- Flowers in a dense raceme. 



Suborder III. HYDRANGIEiE. Shrubs. Petals valvate or con- 

 volute in the bud. Leaves opposite. Stipules none. 



10. IIYDRAXGEA. Petals valvate. Stamens 8 - 10. Styles distinct. 



11 . DECUMAR1A. Petals valvate. Stamens 20 or more Styles united 



12. PIIILADELPHUS. Petals convolute. Stamens 20 or more. Styles 4. Capsule 4-valved. 



1. LEPUROPETALON, Ell. 



Calyx-tube turbinate, cohering with the lower portion of the ovary, 5-partcd. 

 Petals 5, minute, spatulate. Stamens 5, very short. Styles 3. Capsule globu- 



