20 
GENERA. 
Kadsura, J. Sphaerostema, Bl. 
Sarcocarpon, Bl. Schizandra, Mx. 
Order X. DILLENIACE.E. 
Dilleniace^, DC. Syst. 1. 395. (1818) ; Prodr. 1. 67. (1824) ; A. St. B. FI. 
Bras. 1. 23. (1825.) 
Essential Character. — Sepals 5, persistent, 2 exterior, 3 interior. Petals 5, deci- 
duous, hypogynous in a single row. Stamens indefinite, hypogynous, arising from a torus, 
either distinct or polyadelphous, and either placed regularly around the pistil or on one 
side of it. Filaments dilated either at the base or apex. Anthers adnate, 2-celled, usually 
bursting longitudinally, always turned inwards. Ovaries definite, more or less distinct, 
with a terminal style and simple stigma ; ovules ascending. Fi'uit consisting either of from 
2 to 5 distinct unilocular carpels, or of a similar number cohering together ; the carpels 
either baccate or 2-valved, pointed by the style. Seeds fixed in a double row to the 
inner edge of the carpels, either several or only 2, occasionally solitary by abortion; sur- 
rounded by a pulpy aril. Testa hard. Embryo minute, lying in the base of solid fleshy 
albumen. — Trees, shrubs, or under-shrubs, rarely herbaceous plants. Leaves usually alter- 
nate, almost always without stipules, very seldom opposite, most commonly coriaceous, 
and with strong veins running straight from the midrib to the margin, entire or toothed, 
often separating from the base of the petiole, which remains adhering to the stem. Flowers 
solitary, in terminal racemes or panicles, often yellow. 
Anomalies. In several genera of the section Delimaceae there is but one carpel ; and 
in Dillenia and Colbertia the carpels partly cohere. 
Affinities. These are nearly akin to Magnoliacese, from which they are 
distinguished by their want of stipules and the quinary arrangement of the 
parts of fructification ; and to Ranunculacese, from which their persistent calyx, 
stamens, and whole habit in general, divide them. They are universally cha- 
racterised by the presence of aril ; a peculiarity which certainly exists in Hib- 
bertia, notwithstanding De Candolle’s definition of that genus. The most ge- 
nuine form of the order is known by the veins of the leaves running straight 
from the midrib to the margin. Some of the genera are remarkable for having 
the stamens developed only half way round the pistil, so that the central 
part of the flower has a one-sided appearance. In this respect they tend to- 
wards Pittosporacese, where Cheiranthera has also dechnate stamens. To 
Anonaceae they also approach in a variety of ways, especially in the genus 
Acrotrema, whose albumen is irregularly indented upon the surface, as if it 
were approaching to a ruminated state. 
Geography. According to De Candolle, 50 of this order are found in 
Australasia, 21 in India and its neighbourhood, 3 in equinoctial Africa, and 21 
in equinoctial America ; but since the publication of the Sy sterna several have 
been added both to the Indian and South American species. 
Properties. Dilleniacese are generally astringent. The Brazilians make 
use of a decoction of Davilla rugosa in swellings of the legs and testicles, very 
common maladies in hot and humid parts of South America. PI. Jjsuelles, 
no. 22. Davilla elliptica is also astringent, and furnishes the vulnerary called 
Cambdihinha in Brazil. Ibid. 23. In Curatella Cambaiba the same astrin- 
gent principle recommends its decoction as an excellent wash for wounds. 
Ibid. 24. The young calyxes of Dillenia scahrella and speciosa have a plea- 
santly acid taste, and are used in curries by the inhabitants of Chittagong and 
Bengal. Wallich. Almost all Delimese have the leaves covered with aspe- 
rities, which are sometimes so hard that the leaves are even used for polishing. 
