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VESICARIA 
Vesicaria Tourn. ex Adans. Cruciferae (iv. 17). 32 sp. Eur., Am. 
Viburnum Linn. Caprifoliaceae (11). 100 sp. temp, and subtrop., 
chiefly As., and N. Am. The winter buds of some sp. are naked, 
i.e. have no scale-leaves. The outer firs, of the cymose corymb are 
neuter in some sp., e.g. V. Opulus L., the guelder-rose, having a large 
corolla, but at the cost of the essential organs. In the cultivated 
guelder-rose all the firs, are neuter. 
Vicia Tourn. ex Linn. Leguminosae (ill. 9). 120 sp. N. temp., and 
S. Am.; 10 in Brit, (vetch, tare). Most are climbers with leaf- 
tendrils. The floral mechanism is typical of many L. The pollen 
is early shed by the anthers into the apex of the keel ; upon the style, 
below the stigma, is a brush of hairs which carries out the pollen 
when the keel is depressed (see order). V. sativa L. and many other 
vetches are valuable fodder plants ; V. Faba L. is the broad bean, with 
its many varieties. 
Victoria Lindl. Nymphaeaceae (ill). 2 sp. trop. Am. V. regia Lindl. 
is the giant water-lily of the Amazon. The plant has the habit of a 
Nymphaea, but is of enormous size. The floating leaves may be 2 m. 
or more across ; the edge is turned up to a height of several cm., and 
on the lower side the ribs project very far and are armed with formidable 
spines, perhaps of use as a protection against animals. The fl r. resembles 
that of Nymphaea but is fully epigynous. The fruit also is similar and 
the seeds contain both endo- and peri-sperm. They are roasted and 
eaten in Brazil, under the name of Mais del aqua (water-maize). 
The plant is now cultivated in several gardens, e.g. Kew; it was 
discovered in 1801, but was not brought into general notice till 1837. 
Vigna Savi. Leguminosae (in. 10). 40 sp. trop. V. sinensis Endl. is 
the cherry-bean or cow-pea (trop. As.), whose pods are eaten like 
French beans. 
Vilfa Beauv. = Sporobolus R. Br. 
Villarsia Vent. Gentianaceae (11). 1 sp. Cape Col. and 9 Austr. The 
water plant often known under this name is a Limnanthemum. 
Vinca Linn, (inch Lochnera Rchb.). Apocynaceae (i. 3). 5 sp. Eur. 
and Orient (Vinca proper; sta. and stylar head hairy) and 3 sp. 
E. Ind., Madag., Am. (Lochnera; sta. and stylar head not hairy). Of 
the latter V. rosea L. is a favourite in conservatories. Vinca minor L. 
and V. major L., the periwinkles, occur in England, but are not true 
natives. The anthers stand above the stigmatic disc, but the stigma 
itself is on the under surface of the disc, so that self-fertilisation is not 
caused as the insect’s tongue enters the fir. 
Vincetoxicum Rupp. = Cynanchum Linn. 
Viola Tourn. ex Linn. Violaceae. 200 sp. cosmop., chiefly N. temp. 
Several are common in Brit. V. odorata L. and V. canina L. are 
the sweet and dog violets, V. tricolor L. the pansy or heart’s-ease, and 
others are also well known. Many sp. and varieties are in cultiva- 
tion. They are herbaceous plants with large stipules, on which glands 
