8 
Dicotyledons with Polypetalons Flowers — Crticiferce. 
Stamens 6 , 2 lateral ones usually shorter ; indefinite in the Himalayan Megacarpcea polyandra; fewer than 
6 in Cress (Lepidium) and Senebiera. 
Ovary usually 2-celled owing to the development of a vertical cellular partition from the two opposite placentas. 
FRUIT, various ; one—many-seeded ; usually a capsule dehiscing by two valves which separate from a persistent 
sutural frame ; capsule much longer than broad, as in Wall-flower ( Gheirctnthus) and Watercress (Nasturtium), or as 
broad, or nearly as broad as long in Shepherd’s Purse ((Japsella ) and Honesty ( Lunaria ); indehiscent, seveial-seeded 
and transversely jointed in Radish (Raphanus); indehiscent and i-seeded in Woad ( Isatis) and Sea-Kale (Grambe) ; 
indehiscent and 2-seeded, separating in two nuts, in Senebiera; dissepiment of fruit across the broader diameter of 
the fruit in Honesty, across the narrow diameter in Shepherd’s Purse. 
EMBRYO usually with the radicle folded over the cotyledons, either over the edge of the cotyledons as in Wall¬ 
flower, or over the back as in Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium); the cotyledons folded (conduplicate) or plane, 3-lobed 
in Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum). 
USES, &c.—Although many of the Cruciferae possess considerable acridity, none of them are poisonous, and 
a large number under cultivation are valuable as food-plants, or as affording condiments. The Order generally is 
stimulant and antiscorbutic, often abounding in a sulphurous ethereal oil. Of the species in household use are the 
innumerable varieties of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea ), including Cauliflower Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts, Mustard 
(Sinapis) Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum ), Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), Radish (Raphanus sativus), 
Turnip (Brassica Napus), Horse-radish (Goclilearia Armoracia) and Sea-kale (Grambe maritima). A valuable oil is 
expressed from the seeds of the Colza, a variety of the Turnip. The blue dye Woad used to be obtained from Isatis 
tinctoria. 
Common ornamental hardy garden plants belonging to Cruciferae are Wallflower, Stock (Matthiola), Alpine Rock 
Cress (Arabis alpina), Alyssum, the Orange-Flowered Erysimum (E. Peroffshianum), Candytuft, and several others. 
Nearly allied to Cruciferae is the exotic Order CAPPARIDACE^E, differing in the stamens, which are not tetrady- 
namous and often more numerous, as well as frequently presenting the anomaly of a stalked ovary. The Caper-bush 
(Gapparis spinosa), the buds of which are pickled as “ Capers,” is a South European member of the Order. 
