348 
DEHERAINEA 
Deherainea Dene. Myrsinaceae (i). i sp. Mexico, D. sinaragdina 
Dene, noteworthy for its large green firs., which owe their colour to 
chlorophyll. They have an unpleasant smell and are very probably 
fertilised by large flies. The young fir. shows the extrorse anthers 
quite hiding the stigma, but later on the sta. move outwards and rest 
on the corolla. 
Delphinium Tourn. ex Linn. Ranunculaceae (2). 120 sp. N. temp. 
D. Ajacis L., the larkspur is found in Brit, and several sp. are culti- 
vated for their firs. Firs, zygomorphic in racemes; the posterior 
sepal is drawn out into a spur containing the spurs of the two 
posterior petals, in which the honey is secreted. [Cf. this mode of 
protection with that in Aconitum, which is far more frequently robbed 
by humble-bees.] The fir. is protandrous with movement of the sta., 
and is fertilised by humble-bees. The open fir. projects horizontally, 
but subsequently the stalk bends upwards and the follicles stand erect 
so that the seeds can only escape if they are shaken e.g. by strong 
wind. 
Dendrobium Sw. Orchidaceae (21). 300 sp. trop. As., Japan, Austr., 
Polynes. Epiphytes. Many are favourites in cultivation. For floral 
mechanism see Darwin’s Orchids , p. 138. 
Dendrocalamus Nees. Gramineae (xm). 9 sp. Indo-mal., China. 
Large bamboos (see Bambusa). 
Dendroehilum Blume. Orchidaceae (22). 3 sp. Indo-mal. 
Dentaria (Tourn.) Linn. =Cardamine Linn. 
Derris Lour. ( Deguelia Aubl.). Leguminosae (ill. 8). 40 sp. trop. 
Deschampsia Beauv. Gramineae (ix). 20 sp. temp, and frigid. D . 
caespitosa Beauv. ( Aira ) and D. Jiexuosa Trin. are common in Brit, 
(hair grass). They are of tufted growth and are rough fodder grasses. 
Desfontainia Ruiz et Pav. Loganiaceae. 1 sp. Andes, D. spinosa R. 
et P., a pretty holly-like shrub. Its position in the order is doubtful. 
The ovary has 5 loculi. 
Desmanthus Willd. Leguminosae (1. 3). 9 sp. sub-trop. N. Am., 1 
Madag. 
Desmodium Desv. Leguminosae (ill. 7). 150 sp. trop. and sub-trop. 
The most interesting sp. is D. gyrans DC. the telegraph plant (the 
name dates from the days of semaphore telegraphy). During the 
day, provided the temperature be not below 72°F. the two small 
lateral leaflets of each leaf move steadily round in elliptical orbits. 
The meaning of this phenomenon is unknown. See Darwin’s Move- 
ments of Plants. At night the leaves sleep, drooping downwards. 
Several sp. are useful as fodder plants, and are cultivated like clover. 
Desmoncus Mart. Palmae (iv. 7). 20 sp. trop. Am. Climbing palms 
with reedy stems, and hooks like those of Calamus. 
Deutzia Thunb. Saxifragaceae (ill). 10 sp. N. temp. Ovary inferior 
3 — 4-loc. The fruit splits septicidally into its cpls. which open each 
at its apex. The seed is provided with a winged testa, very light. 
