132 



Fa 



ni, 



Myricaceae. 



Shrubs with simple or divided, exstipulate, persistent 

 leaves. Flowers without perianth, unisexual, monoecious 

 or dioecious, in simple or compound spikes (catkins), each 

 flower supported by a bract, t catkins cylindrical, stamens 

 2 — 8, mostly 4; filaments filiform; anthers 2 -celled. 

 $ spikes short, few-flowered ; ovary sessile, with 2 6 

 hypogynous scales, 1 -celled ; ovule solitary, erect; 

 stigmas 2, elongate, papillose, mostly coloured. Fruit 

 dry, indehiscent, 1 -seeded, the exocarp of some species 

 secreting a layer of wax. Seed without endosperm. 



The only genus. (Plate 23.) 

 32 species, 9 in S. A. # 



Myrica L. 



Gfi 



B 



74. Myrica. A. M. quercifilia L. i- ? catkin. 4/1 !. 2. % flower. 10/1. 

 3. % flower in long, section. 4. </ catkin. 8/1. 5. g flower. 10/1. 

 B. M.cordifolta\j. Fruit in long, section. 3/1. em. Embryo. />. Stony endocarp. 

 w. Wax. 



* The number of species of each genus has been obtained from various sources. In 

 those families which are dealt with in the more recent volumes of the Flora Capensia 

 (for dates of publication see page 248), viz. Vols. IV — vn, we mostly follow that work. 

 For the other families, which are either contained in Vols. 1 — III or not published as yet, 

 we have availed ourselves of the register of the species of South Africa kept in the Bolus 

 Herbarium. 



