Dicotyledons with Gamopetalous Flowers . 
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Natural Order 
PRIMULACEflL Tab. 53. 
Di agnosis. — Herbs with radical or cauline leaves. Corolla hypogynous, 
usually regular. Stamens epipetalous, as many as corolla-lobes and opposite 
to them. Ovary 1-celled with free central placenta and numerous ovules. 
Style 1. 
Distribution. —A widely dispersed Natural Order, but most numerous in Europe and Temperate 
Asia, many species, especially of the principal genus Primula, affecting alpine situations. 
Number of British Genera, 8; Species, 16. 
Root-stock large, fleshy and tuberous in Cyclamen. 
Leaves usually undivided or rarely dentate ; in Water Violet (. Hottonia ) submerged and pinnatisect. 
Inflorescence various : in Cowslip (. Primula veris) an umbel borne on an erect scape; in Primrose (P. vulgaris) 
the scape suppressed so that the pedicels are radical; in Chinese Primrose (P. sinensis) and Water Violet flowers 
whorled ; racemose in Brookweed ( Samolus ). 
Corolla wanting, the calyx coloured, in Sea Milkwort ( Glaux maritima). 
Ovary half-inferior in Brookweed. 
Capsule transversely dehiscent in Pimpernel {Anagallis). 
Seeds albuminous : one cotyledon suppressed in Cyclamen, the other occasionally persisting, and at length 
foliaceous. 
USES, &c.—None of the species are of much economic importance, though many bear beautiful flowers and 
are in much request in ornamental gardening; as the numerous varieties of Primrose, Auricula and Polyanthus, 
belonging to the genus ’Primula, Loosestrife and Moneywort ( Lysimachia ), Cyclamens, American Cowslip (Docle- 
catheori), and others. 
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