PHYTOLACCA 
5 2 7 
strobilus is developed, but in the latter case grows out upon a sort of 
peduncle from near the base of one of the leaves’’ (Campbell). The 
prothallus is subterranean. 
Phyllospadix Hook. Potamogetonaceae. 2 sp. W. coast of N. Am. 
Dioecious. 
Physalis Linn. Solanaceae (11). 45 sp. Am. P . Alkekengi L. (winter 
cherry) in Eur. and As. The berry of this sp. is edible, also that of 
P. peruviana L. (strawberry or gooseberry tomato, or cape goose- 
berry). It is enclosed in the bladdery persistent calyx, which becomes 
red. 
Physospermum Cusson. Umbelliferae (5). 5 sp. Eur., W. As. 
Physostegia Benth. Labiatae (vi. 4). 3 sp. N. Am. 
Physostigma Balf. Leguminosae (ill. 10). 2 sp. trop. Afr. P, vene - 
nosum Balf. is the ordeal bean of Calabar. The floral structure is 
peculiar; the keel is spurred. 
Phytelephas Ruiz et Pav. Palmae (v). 4 sp. trop. Am. This genus 
and Nipa are widely different from the other palms, exhibiting affini- 
ties to Pandanaceae and Cyclanthaceae (see Nai. Pfl .). P. is a short- 
stemmed palm with large pinnate radical leaves, and dioecious infls. 
The <? infl. is a sausage-shaped spadix ; the fir. has an irregular perianth 
and 00 sta. with long filaments. The ? spadix is simple, with a spathe 
of several leaves, and about 6 firs. ; the fir. has an irregular perianth 
(an outer whorl of 3 and an inner of 5 — 10 longer leaves), numerous 
staminodes and usually a 5-loc. ovary with long style and stigmas. 
Each fir. gives a berry, and the actual fruit consists of 6 or more of 
these united together. The outer coat is hard, with woody protuber- 
ances. Each partial fruit contains several seeds; the endosperm (cel- 
lulose) is very hard (vegetable-ivory) and is used for turning into 
billiard balls &c. (Compare this fruit with those of Pandanus and 
Carludovica.] 
Phyteuma Linn. Campanulaceae (1. 1). 40 sp. Medit., Eur., As. 
Two sp. of rampion, P. orbiculare L. and P. spicatum L. occur in 
the south of England. The floral mechanism is interesting (see 
order). The firs, are comparatively small, and are massed together 
in heads. A tube is formed by the coherence of the tips of the long 
thin petals, within which the anthers are held. The style pushes up 
through this and drives the pollen gradually out at the end, where it 
is exposed to insects. Finally the style emerges, the stigmas open 
and the petals separate and fall back. [Compare carefully with 
Campanula, Jasione and Compositae.] 
Phytocrene Wall. Icacinaceae. 7 sp. India to New Guinea. They 
are twining shrubs, with very large vessels in the stem. If the stem 
be cut a considerable quantity of water escapes, which is drunk by the 
Malabar natives. The firs, are dioecious. 
Phytolacca Tourn. ex Linn, (inch Pircunia Bert.). Phytolaccaceae. 
1 1 sp. Am., Afr. Herbs with fleshy roots, or shrubs or trees. Firs. 
