720 LOGANIACEAE. | Mitrasacme. 
Family LXXAXV. LOGANIACEAE, 
Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves opposite, usually connected by inter- 
petiolar stipules or by a raised line, simple, entire or toothed. Flowers 
regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual by abortion. Calyx inferior, 4~5-lobed 
or -partite; lobes valvate or imbricate or contorted. Stamens 4-5, 
inserted on the tube of the corotla and alternate with its lobes; anthers 
2-celled, with longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary superior, 2-celled or rarely 
3-5-celled ; style simple; stigma capitate or 2-lobed; ovules 1 or more 
in each cell. Fruit a 2-celled capsule with septicidal dehiscence, or an 
indehiscent berry. Seeds 1 or more to each cell; albumen copious; 
embryo straight, long or short. 
Distribution chiefly tropical and subtropical, with a few species in temperate 
North America and in the South Temperate Zone. Genera 32; species about 350. 
The family must be considered a dangerous one, including a large proportion of highly 
poisonous plants. Strychnine is obtained from the seed of Strychnos nux-romica, a 
common Indian tree; and a substance called curare, derived from the bark of two 
species of Strychnos, is used by the South American Indians to poison their arrows. 
Herbs. Flowers 4-merous, Corolla-lobes valvate. Capsule didy- 
mous, truncate or 2-lobed mu 1g o “i 
Herbs or sbrubs, Flowers 5-merous. Corolla-lobes imbricate. 
Capsule ovoid or oblong oy 9 ee a 
Shrubs. Flowers 5-merous. Corolla-lobes contorted. Placentas 
forming a pulpy mass enclosing the seeds 
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. LOGANTA, 
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. GENIOSTOMA, 
1. MITRASACME Labill. [3O4 
Herbs, generally of small size. Leaves opposite, entire, usually con- 
nected by a transverse stipular line or short sheath. Flowers small, 
either solitary in the upper axils or in clusters or irregular umbels. Calyx 
campanulate, 4-partite or rarely 2-partite. Corolla campanulate or salver- 
shaped ; lobes 4, valvate. Stamens 4, affixed to the corolla-tube; filaments 
usually short; anthers included or rarely exserted. Ovary 2-celled; 
styles 2, usually connate at first, but separating from the base upwards as 
the flowering advances; stigma capitate or 2-lobed: ovules numerous in 
each cell, affixed to peltate placentas. Capsule subglobose or ovoid or 
compressed, truncate or 2-lobed or almost 2-horned at the tip, opening 
along the inner margin of the carpels. Seeds numerous, subglobose or 
compressed ; testa smooth, reticulate. 
A genus of about 30 species, chiefly Australian, but extending northwards into 
tropical Asia and southwards to New Zealand. 
Leaves linear-oblong, ending in a stout bristle “4, .. 1, M. novae-zealandiae. 
Leaves narrow-obovate, obtuse . . .. 2. M. montana. 
M. Hookerti, M. Cheesmanii, and M. Petriet Buch. in Trans. N.Y. Inst. xiv (1882) 
348, 349, are ‘i f Veronica, and will be f | described under th 
U2, v4, are species of Veronica, and will be found described under that genus. 
1. M. novae-zealandiae Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. (1864) 737.—A smal] 
moss-like densely tufted perfectly glabrous herb, forming rounded patches 
an inch or two in diameter; branches short, slender, densely compacted. 
Leaves connate at the base, densely imbricated, ;,-}in. long, linear- 
oblong, suddenly narrowed at the tip into a stout bristle, quite entire, 
rather coriaceous, concave, nerveless : margins conspicuously thickened. 
