PLUMBAG1NE.E. 677 



LVII. PLUMBAGO FAMILY. PLUMBAGINE.E. 



Herbs, or rarely undershrubs, usually hard and stiff; the 

 leaves mostly or entirely radical ; the flowers in terminal heads, 

 spikes, or panicles. Calyx tubular, often enlarged and petal-like 

 at the top. Corolla of 5 petals, often united at the base. Sta- 

 mens 5, inserted at the base of the corolla or between the petals. 

 Ovary single, with one cell, and a single, suspended ovule, but 

 bearing 5 styles, either quite distinct or united below the middle. 

 Capsule either indehiscent or opening irregularly, and enclosing 

 a single seed. 



A small family, extending over most parts of the world, but chiefly 

 within the influence of the sea air, or occasionally on high mountains. 

 Besides the two British genera, some species of Plumbago or Lead- 

 wort (which gives its name to the family) are cultivated as ornamental 

 plants in our gardens. 



Flowers in terminal panicles or spikes. Styles glabrous ... 1. Statice. 

 Flowers in globular heads. Styles hairy at the base .... 2. Theift. 



I. STATICE. STATICE. 



Flowers solitary or two or three together, in little spikelets within 2 

 bracts, these spikelets forming one-sided spikes, arranged either in a 

 dichotomous or trichotomous panicle, or, in some exotic species, form- 

 ing a single spike. Calyx more or less expanded at the top into a dry, 

 membranous, coloured, and slightly 5-lobed limb, each lobe traversed 

 by a green or dark nerve. Petals slightly united at the base, the sta- 

 mens inserted at their point of union. Styles glabrous. 



The geographical range is the same as that of the family, of which 

 this genus includes the great majority of species. 



Leaves usually several inches long, the veins pinnate (when 



visible). Panicle very spreading and corymbose . . 1. Common S. 

 Leaves usually not above an inch, with 1 or 3 ribs, and no 

 pinnate veins. Panicle elongated, usually one-sided. 



Branches all or nearly all flowering 2. Rock S. 



Short, flowerless, intricate branches very numerous . . 3. Matted S. 



Several exotic species are occasionally cultivated in our flower-gar- 

 dens or planthouses. 



