THE GOOSE-FOOT FAMILY 
[ORDER LXIII. CHENOPODIACEZE] 
In this and all the following families the 
calyx and corolla are not distinguishable, 
or one or other is absent, so they are 
collectively called the PERIANTH. 
PERIANTH usually of 5, more or less, 
united lobes, occasionally only of 2, 3, 
or 4 lobes, remaining with the fruit (per- 
sistent) ; inserted below the seedcase 
(inferior). 
STAMENS usually 5, as many as the 
perianth-lobes and opposite them, inserted 
on a disk round the seedcase (perigynous) 
or below the seedcase (hypogynous), or 
absent. 
PISTIL of 2-4 CARPELS united into a 
1 -celled seedcase, with the same number of 
styles, which are sometimes united, and 
stigmas, or absent. 
FRUIT consisting of a single seed sur- 
rounded by a membranous or fleshy coat 
and enveloped in the perianth, which 
sometimes enlarges considerably, decaying 
to free the seed (indehiscent). 
LEAVES often fleshy, usually alternate, 
without stipules. 
FLOWERS perfect, or without stamens or 
pistils (monoecious), in stalkless (sessile) 
clusters in the axils of the leaves, or in 
heads or spikes, usually greenish and 
rather unnoticeable. 
DISTINGUISHED by the usually 5-lobed 
perianth in one row, the 5 stamens, and 
the solitary seed. 
T HE plants belonging to this order are rather unnoticeable straggling plants with dense clusters 
of small greenish flowers, and are made even more unattractive by being very often covered 
with sand and dust. 
The order is a large one and is chiefly composed of salt plants, succulent and often prickly, 
either growing by the sea-shore, in salt marshes, or in deserts and steppes, and waste and 
cultivated land. 
Many species are cultivated as vegetables, the most important being the Spinach (Spinacia 
oleracea) and Beets. Beta maritima is the parent of the Common Red Beet (Beta vulgaris) with 
its variety Mangel Wurzel (Beta vulgaris, var. macrorhiza), and the Sugar Beet (Beta 
altissima). 
I. Orache (At'riplex). Perianth enlarging in fruit and 2-lobed ; leaves flat. 
II. Beet (Beta). Perianth adhering to fruit, 5-lobed ; leaves flat. 
III. Goose-foot (Chenopodium). Perianth free from and not altering in fruit ; leaves flat. 
IV. Marsh Samphire (Salicor'nia). Flowers sunk in axils of jointed, fleshy, leafless plants. 
V. Sea Blite (Sileda). Flowers with 5 perianth-lobes and 5 stamens ; leaves semi-cylindrical, 
strap-shaped. 
VI. Saltwort (Sal'sola). Perianth-lobes developing scarious wing; leaves semi-cylindrical, 
ending in a spine. 
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