SAX I FRAG A 
578 
Many sp. are vegetatively propagated by offsets, or (e.g. S. granulata 
L.) by bulbils produced in the lower leaf-axils. Many exhibit chalk- 
glands at the tips or edges of the leaves (e.g. S. oppositifolia at the 
tip); these are water-pores (p. 114) with nectary-like tissue beneath, 
secreting water containing chalk in solution. As the water evapo- 
rates, the chalk forms an incrustation. The firs, are usually in 
dichasial cymes with a cincinnus tendency. Every stage occurs in 
various sp. from hypogyny to epigyny (p. 71). The honey is only 
partially concealed, and the firs, are visited by a miscellaneous lot of 
insects. Most sp. are protandrous. A few, e.g. S. sarmentosa Linn, f., 
have zygomorphic firs. [For leaf-forms, see Jungner in Bot. Notiser , 
1894 — 1895, reviewed in Bot. Centr. 62, 1895, p. 244.] 
Saxifragaceae. Dicotyledons (Archichl. Rosales). 70 gen. with 600 
sp. cosmop., chiefly temp. Most are perennial herbs, a few shrubs or 
trees, with usually alt., rarely stip. leaves. Many are alpine and 
arctic forms of xerophytic habit (p. 180). The infl. is of various 
kinds, both racemose and cymose. 
Fir. usually g , regular, cyclic, 5-merous (except cpls.). The re- 
ceptacle is flat or hollowed to various depths, so that the sta. and 
perianth may be peri- or epi-gynous. K usually 5; C 5, imbricate or 
valvate, sometimes (5) or o ; A usually 5 + 5, obdiplostemonous ; cpls. 
rarely free and as many as petals, usually fewer and joined below, 
often 2 ; placentae parietal or axile, with several rows of anatropous 
ovules ; styles as many as cpls. The firs, are mostly protandrous. 
Fruit a capsule or berry. Seed with rich endosperm round a small 
embryo. 
The S. are of little economic importance ; Ribes yields valuable 
fruit. Many are favourites in horticulture, e.g. Saxifraga, Francoa. 
Philadelphus, Deutzia, Hydrangea, Escallonia. 
Classification and chief genera : 
I. SAXIFRAGOIDEAE (herbs of various habit; leaves alt.; 
firs, with 5- or rarely 4-merous perianth ; cpls. usually 2 ; ovary 
hypo- or epi-gynous, 1- or 2-loc.) : Saxifraga, Tellima, Chrysos- 
plenium, Parnassia. 
II. FRANCOIDEAE (perennial herbs with radical leaves and firs, 
in spikes or racemes on naked scapes ; fir. 4-merous ; ovary 
4- loc.): Francoa. 
III. HYDRANGEOIDEAE (shrubs or trees ; leaves usually opp., 
simple ; perianth usually 5-merous ; sta. epigynous ; ovary 3 — 
5- loc.) : Philadelphus, Deutzia, Hydrangea. 
IV. PTER OS TEMONOIDEA E (shrubs with alt. stip. simple 
leaves; sta. 10; ovary inferior, 5-loc; ovules 4 — 6, on axile 
placentae) : Pterostemon. 
V. ESCALLONIOIDEAE (shrubs or trees, rarely herbs; with 
simple alt. exstip. often leathery and gland-dotted leaves ; sta.= 
petals; ovary superior to inferior; ovules 00): Brexia, Escallonia. 
