45 ° 
L ORANTHA CEAE 
by Wiesner in Sitz. k. Akad . Wien, cm. 1894, and Keeble in Trans , 
Linn . Soc. v. 1896.] 
Classification and chief genera (after Engler) : 
I. LORANTHOIDEAE (with calyculus) : Struthanthus, Lor- 
anthus, Psittacanthus. 
II. VISCOIDEAE (without calyc.) : Arceuthobium, Viscum. 
Loranthus Linn. Loranthaceae (1). 200 sp. trop. Semi-parasites. 
The 2 or unisexual firs, are in small cymes, the bracts adnate to the 
peduncles. Fruit like that of Viscum. See Nat. Pfl., Eichler’s 
Bliithendiag. and papers by Wiesner and Keeble (see order). 
Lotononis Eckl. et Zeyh. Leguminosae (in. 3). 60 sp. Afr., Medit. 
Lotus (Tourn.) Linn. Leguminosae (ill. 5). 80 sp. temp. Eur., As., S. 
Afr., Austr. L. corniculatus L., bird’s foot trefoil, and others, in Brit. 
The floral mechanism is of interest, being typical of many of the order 
(q.v.). The keel is united above and below, leaving only a small 
opening at the apex. The pollen is shed in the bud into the tip of 
the keel, and the filaments of five of the sta. thicken out below the 
anthers, forming together a piston, which, when the keel is depressed, 
forces the pollen out in a little stream at the apex. The style is 
immersed in the pollen, but only becomes receptive on being rubbed, 
so that the flower has a good chance of cross-fertilisation. The 
plant is useful for pasturage. 
Lucuma Molina (excl. Vitellaria Gaertn. f.). Sapotaceae (1). 4 sp. 
S. Am., Austr., New Caled. The fruit of L . bifera Molina is edible. 
Ludwigia Linn. Onagraceae (1). 20 sp. N. Am. and trop. ; also one 
{L. palustris Ell.) in Eur. (incl. Brit.). 
Luffa (Toum.) Linn. Cucurbitaceae (ill). 7 sp. trop., all but one in 
Old World. Z. cylindrica M. Roem. (Z. aegyptiaca Mill.) furnishes 
the well-known loofah or bath sponge, which consists of the vascular 
bundle net of the pericarp. The fruit of most sp. is edible. 
Lunaria Tourn. ex Linn. Cruciferae (11. n). 2 sp. Eur., Z. rediviva L. 
and Z. biejinis Moench (Z. annua L.) ; the latter is the honesty of 
gardens. 
Lupinus (Toum.) Linn. Leguminosae (ill. 3). 100 sp. Am., Medit. 
Floral mechanism like that of Lotus. The fruit explodes, its valves 
twisting spirally. Several sp. of lupin are cultivated for their firs., or 
used as fodder plants. 
Luzula DC. Juncaceae. 40 sp. temp., chiefly Old World; 6 in Brit, 
(wood-rush). Rhizome as in Juncus ; leaves usually flat. 
Luzuriaga Ruiz etPav. (Enargea Banks). Liliaceae (x). 3 sp. S. Am., 
N.Z., &c. 
Lycaste Lindl. Orchidaceae (18). 30 sp. trop. Am. Epiphytes. 
A chin is formed by an axial outgrowth from the base of the 
column. 
Lychnis (Tourn.) Linn, (inch Agrostemma Linn., Githago Adans., 
Melandrium Roehl., Viscaria Riv.). Caryophyllaceae (1. 1). A genus 
