The flowers _as a rule are_ ☿, _regular_ and _hypogynous_; however
in some orders they are unisexual, _e.g._ in the Myristicaceæ, or
zygomorphic (in Monkshood and Larkspur in the Ranunculaceæ); in the
Lauraceæ, (Fig. 386) for example, perigynous, and in _Nymphæa_ (Fig.
383) even partially epigynous flowers are typical.--The flowers are
acyclic in very many of the genera of the two first orders, if not
completely so, at any rate in the numerous stamens and carpels, thus
denoting an old type. It is a remarkable characteristic that in the
majority of the orders the number 3 prevails in the calyx and corolla;
the number 5 also occurs, but the number 2 is seldom met with. Most
orders have a double perianth; chorisis does not occur, suppression
is rare, and the parts of the flower are developed in acropetal
succession. The most characteristic feature in the order is the _free,
one-leaved_, as a rule _numerous carpels_ (apocarpous gynœceum). The
number of carpels in some of the last mentioned orders dwindles down
to 1 (_e.g._ the _Berberideæ_ and _Myristicaceæ_). The carpels in
_Nymphæaceæ_ become united into _one pistil_ (syncarpous), a condition
which we also find distributed among the other orders.
_Endosperm occurs in almost all_ the orders (except _e.g. Lauraceæ_).
The nutritive tissue in _Cabombeæ_ and _Nymphæeæ_ is chiefly
_perisperm_.
[Illustration: FIG. 370.--Diagram of _Aquilegia vulgaris_: _sp_
spur. A cyclic flower.]
[Illustration: FIG. 371.--Diagram of a dichasium of _Ranunculus
acer_: α_{1}, α^1, and β_{1}, β^1, bracteoles (the buds
in the axils of the bracteoles, α and α^1, are continued
antidromously). The flower has cyclic calyx and corolla, bub
acyclic (8/21) stamens.]
[Illustration: FIG. 372.--Diagram of an acyclic Ranunculaceous
flower (only 3 stamens are indicated). The spiral of the sepals
has a divergence of 3/5; that of the corolla and subsequent
leaves 3/8.]
Order 1. =Ranunculaceæ.= Nearly all are _herbs_ (except _Clematis_).
The leaves are scattered (except _Clematideæ_), they have a large
sheath with broad base (no stipules), and are most frequently
palminerved with palmate lobes. The flowers are hypogynous, with most
frequently a well pronounced convex receptacle (Figs. 374 _B_, 380), ☿,
regular (except _Delphinium_ and _Aconitum_); their structure varies
very much; in some the leaves are verticillate, in others arranged
spirally; in others, again, both modes of arrangement are found. It is
a characteristic feature that the various series of leaves (especially
calyx and corolla) are not so distinct or so sharply divided as
is usual. The leaves of the perianth are free, imbricate (except
_Clematideæ_); stamens _numerous_, with most frequently extrorse
anthers; gynœceum _free_, _apocarpous_ (except _Nigella_ and partly
_Helleborus_), with 1 or several ovules (Figs. 373, 378, 379) borne on
the ventral suture. The fruit is either a nut or a follicle (_Actæa_
has berries). The seed has a _large, oil-containing_ endosperm and a
small embryo (Fig. 374).
The main axis generally terminates in a flower, and the
lateral axes branch in a cymose manner (Fig. 371). The flowers
show the following differences in construction: VERTICILLATE
(EUCYCLIC), _i.e._ constructed all through of alternating
whorls: _Aquilegia_ (Fig. 370), _Xanthorhiza_, and sometimes
_Eranthis_. SEMIVERTICILLATE (HEMICYCLIC) _i.e._ with sepals and
petals in alternate whorls, and the others arranged spirally:
_Ranunculus_ (Fig. 371), _Myosurus_, _Pæonia_ and several other
genera entirely, or in certain species only. SPIRAL-FLOWERED
(ACYCLIC) _i.e._ all the leaves are arranged spirally, so
that sepals and petals do not alternate the one with the
other, even though they are the same in number: _Adonis_ (Fig.
372), _Aconitum_, _Delphinium_-species, _Nigella_-species,
_Helleborus_. The leaves of the calyx are in this instance
arranged on a spiral of 2/5; those of the corolla on 2/5,
3/8, 5/13 or 8/21, and stamens and carpels likewise on higher
fractions of the same series.
The genera _Caltha_, _Anemone_, _Thalictrum_ and _Clematis_
have a _single perianth_, which is most frequently petaloid;
it is thus apparent that the sepals are petaloid, and the
leaves, which in other genera have developed as petals, are in
these instances stamens. The calyx is similarly petaloid in
the genera _Helleborus_, _Eranthis_, _Nigella_, _Delphinium_
and _Aconitum_; but the petals are present in these instances
in unusual (horn-like) forms, and almost entirely given
up to the function of nectaries, a function they already
possess in _Ranunculus_. According to a more recent theory
the “honey-leaves” are transformed stamens, which have lost
the function of reproduction; the perianth is then single,
and most frequently petaloid. [Those leaves in the flowers of
many Ranunculaceæ which bear nectaries are termed by Prantl
honey-leaves, and comprise those leaf-structures of the flower
whose essential function lies in the production of nectar,
and which, independent of the differentiation of the perianth
into calyx and corolla, are derived from the stamens by the
loss of their reproductive functions. Clear transitional
forms are found between the two series of the perianth
(_e.g._ between the sepaloid and petaloid perianth-leaves
of _Anemone japonica_, _A. decapetala_, _Trollius_-species)
while transitional forms are never found between perianth-and
honey-leaves (with the exception of _Aquilegia vulgaris_, var.
_stellata_). In _Anemone_ and _Clematis_ the honey-leaves
pass gradually into the stamens, and agree with the stamens
in the other Ranunculaceæ in their arrangement, development,
and scant system of veins (except _Nigella_). In _Delphinium_,
sect. _Consolida_, the two honey-leaves placed in front of
the unpaired perianth-leaf are united into one, as shown by
the veins (twice three veins arranged symmetrically). The
honey-leaves of _Aquilegia_, _Callianthemum_, and the majority
of the _Ranunculus_-species serve by reason of their large
circumference, as organs of attraction, and on this account
are considered as petals by other authors.--The same position
in the flower which the honey-leaves assume is found occupied
by staminodes, without nectar, in some _Coptis_-species, in
_Anemonopsis_, _Actæa_ sect. _Euactæa_, (_e.g. A. racemosa_),
_Clematis_ sect. _Atragene_; in the last-named they closely
surround the stamens, in _Actæa_ they are petaloid.--A perianth,
sharply differentiated into calyx and corolla, and destitute of
honey-leaves, is found in _Anemone_, sect. _Knowltonia_ (Cape),
_Adonis_, _Pæonia_.--The perianth of the Ranunculaceæ is
considered by Prantl to be usually petaloid.--The nectaries
arise in the Ranunculaceæ (1) on normal stamens (_Clematis_
sect. _Viorna_), (2) on the honey-leaves (this is generally the
case), and (3) on the carpels (_Caltha_ and the majority of
_Trollius_-species).--As the result of his researches upon the
Ranunculaceæ, Prantl does not agree with the view advanced by
Drude (Schenk, _Hand. d. Bot._ iii.) that the petals in general
have proceeded from the metamorphosis of the stamens (_K_)].
[Illustration: FIG. 373.--Ovaries in longitudinal section: _v_
the ventral suture; _d_ the dorsal suture: _A_, _B Clematis_;
_C Ranunculus_; _D Myosurus_.]
The most primitive form of fruit is undoubtedly the pod formed
by one carpel, on the edges of which (along the ventral suture)
two rows of ovules are situated: Pæonieæ, Helleboreæ, Delphinieæ
(Fig. 379). In a great many genera the number of ovules has been
limited to _one_ perfect one, which is placed in the central
plane under the united leaf-edges, and sometimes also some
barren ovules above it (Fig. 373). The fruitlets in this case
become achenes, and are present in much larger numbers than when
there are follicles.
[Illustration: FIG. 374.--_Helleborus niger_: _A_ flower; _B_
receptacle; _pet_ petals (honey-leaves); _pi_ stamens and
carpels; _C_ seed; _D_ anther (cross section); _alb_ endosperm.]
[Illustration: FIG. 375.--_Caltha palustris_: fruit.]
The following have FOLLICLES: _Pæonieæ_, _Helleboreæ_ (except _Actæa_)
and _Delphinieæ_; ACHENES: _Ranunculeæ_, _Anemoneæ_ and _Clematideæ_.
=A. Follicles= (Figs. 375, 379), with many ovules, situated in two rows
along the ventral suture. ~_Actæa_ has berries, _Nigella_ has capsules
of several loculi.~
=1.= PÆONIEÆ, PEONY GROUP. This has regular, acyclic flowers with a
normal, most frequently 5-leaved, imbricate calyx; large, coloured
petals, and introrse anthers. Slightly perigynous. Surrounding the
base of the carpels a ring-like swelling of the receptacle (“disc”) is
present, which is largest in _P. moutan_. The follicles are more or
less fleshy or leathery. Mostly herbs, with pinnatisect or decompound
leaves and large, solitary flowers; a gradual transition may be traced
from the foliage-leaves to the petals. _Pæonia; Hydrastis._
[Illustration: FIG. 376.--_Aquilegia vulgaris._]
[Illustration: FIG. 377.--_Caltha palustris_ (nat. size).]
[Illustration: FIG. 378.--_Nigella_: _A_, _B_ fruit of _N.
damascena_, entire, and cut transversely. _C_ Petal (honey-leaf)
of _N. arvensis_. _D_ Petal of _N. damascena_.]
=2.= HELLEBOREÆ, HELLEBORE GROUP. This has regular flowers with most
frequently a coloured calyx. The petals (honey-leaves) are modified
into nectaries; they may be horn-like, provided with a spur, or of a
similarly unusual form, or they may be entirely absent. Anthers often
extrorse.--_Trollius_ (Globe-flower[36]). The flower is acyclic: many
petaloid sepals, succeeding these, most frequently, several _linear_,
dark yellow petals, which bear a naked nectary at the base; finally,
many stamens and carpels arranged in a spiral (3/8, 8/21).--_Caltha_
(Marsh-marigold, Figs. 375, 377); 5 (-7) yellow sepals, no petals.
The foliage-leaves have a large amplexicaul sheath.--_Helleborous_
(Hellebore) has pedate leaves. The flower is acyclic, with 5 large,
regular, _persistent_, often petaloid sepals (2/5); small, _horn-like_
petals (honey-leaves; most frequently 13, divergence 8/13) and
generally few carpels (Fig. 374).--_Coptis._--_Isopyrum._--_Eranthis_
(Winter Aconite), like _Anemone_, has a 3-leaved involucre and most
frequently trimerous flowers, ~6 large petaloid sepals, 6 petals
(tubular honey-leaves), 6 oblique rows of stamens, 3–6 carpels~.
_Aquilegia_ (Columbine, Fig. 376); the flower is entirely cyclic and
has large spurs on all the 5 petals (funnel-shaped honey-leaves); S5
coloured, P5, A5 × (8–12), G5 in regular alternation (Figs. 376, 370);
the innermost stamens are often staminodes (Fig. 370).--_Nigella_
(Love-in-the-mist, Fig. 378) has 5 sepals and 8 small, _two-lipped_
petals cleft at the apex (the nectary is covered by the under-lip;
Fig. 378 _C_, _D_). The 5 carpels are more or less completely united;
and a many-carpellate ovary with free styles is formed in some. Large
air-chambers in the external wall of the ovary are formed in _N.
damascena_ (Fig. 378).--_Actæa_ (Baneberry) has coloured sepals, either
no petals or an indefinite number, and only 1 carpel. The fruit is a
berry (or follicle).--~_Cimicifuga_, _Garidella_, _Xanthorhiza_ (S5,
P5, A5 + 5, G5).~
=3.= DELPHINIEÆ, LARKSPUR GROUP. Zygomorphic flowers with coloured
calyx; the 2 posterior petals (honey-leaves) are transformed into
nectaries, the others are small or absent altogether.--_Aconitum_
(Monkshood); 5 sepals, of which the _posterior one_ (Fig. 379 _A_)
_is helmet-shaped_; most frequently 8 petals (as in Fig. 372), of
which the two posterior ones (honey-leaves) are developed into
long-clawed nectaries (Fig. 379 _A_, _k_) enveloped by the helmet-like
sepal; the others are small, or are to some extent suppressed.
~Stamens on a spiral of 3/8–5/13; generally 3 carpels.~ Perennial
herbs.--_Delphinium_ (Larkspur); very closely allied to _Aconitum_, but
the anterior 4 petals are most frequently wanting, and the 2 posterior
ones have each a spur, which is enclosed by the _posterior sepal_,
the latter being also provided with _a membranous spur_. ~Stamens and
carpels arranged on a spiral of 3/8, 5/13, 8/21. In _D. ajacis_ and
_consolida_ there is apparently only 1 petal (by the fusion of 4) and 1
carpel.~
[Illustration: FIG. 379.--_Aconitum napellus. A_ Flower in
longitudinal section, below are the 2 bracteoles; _a_ half
of helmet-like sepal; _b_ and _c_ other sepals; _k_ nectary;
_f_ carpels. _B_ Ovary in longitudinal section; _C_ the same
transversely; _d_ dorsal suture; _v_ ventral suture.]
=B. Fruit achenes.= Many carpels, each with only 1 ascending (Fig.
373 _C_), or pendulous (Fig. 373 _D_), perfect ovule; often also
rudimentary ovules above it (Fig. 373 _A_, _B_). Fruit achenes.
=4.= RANUNCULEÆ, BUTTERCUP GROUP, has double perianth. _Myosurus_
and _Adonis_ have pendulous ovules as in Anemoneæ (Fig. 373 _D_);
~_Ranunculus_, with _Batrachium_ and _Ficaria_, erect ovules (Fig. 373
_C_) and downwardly-turned radicle.~--_Ranunculus._ Most frequently
S5, P5, many spirally-placed stamens and carpels (Figs. 371, 380). The
petals (honey-leaves) have a nectary at the base, covered by a small
scale. ~_Batrachium_, Water Ranunculus, deviates by the achenes being
transversely wrinkled; dimorphic leaves. _Ficaria_ has 3 sepals and 7–8
petals arranged in 2/5–3/8. _F. ranunculoides_ (the only species) has
tuberous roots, which spring from the base of the axillary buds, and
together with these, serve as organs of reproduction. The embryo has
only 1 cotyledon.~--_Myosurus_ (Mouse-tail) has small prolongations
from the 5 sepals; 5 narrow petals which bear the nectaries near the
apex; sometimes only 5 stamens, and an ultimately very long receptacle,
with numerous spirally-arranged achenes (Fig. 381).--_Adonis_ is
acyclic (Fig. 372); most frequently 5 sepals with a divergence of 2/5,
8 petals of 3/8, indefinite stamens and carpels of 3/8 or 5/13. The
corolla has no nectary.
[Illustration: FIG. 380.--Flower of _Ranunculus sceleratus_ in
longitudinal section.]
[Illustration: FIG. 381.--_Myosurus minimus_: _c_ cotyledons; _m_
the foliage-leaves; _f_ the floral axis with the carpels, and _g_
the same without; _y_ insertion of perianth.]
=5.= ANEMONEÆ, ANEMONE GROUP, has a single perianth. ~(Pendulous ovules
(Fig. 373 _D_), radicle turned upward).~--_Anemone_ has a single,
petaloid, most frequently 5–6-leaved perianth, and beneath the flower
most frequently _an involucre of 3 leaves_, placed close together in
the form of a whorl. In _A. nemorosa_, _ranunculoides_, etc., the
involucral leaves resemble foliage-leaves; in _A. hepatica_ they are
situated close under the perianth, and resemble sepals, and in the
sub-genus _Pulsatilla_ they stand between the foliage-leaves and
floral-leaves. The style of _Pulsatilla_ finally grows out in the form
of a feather. ~The main axis of _A. hepatica_ has unlimited growth (it
is biaxial), and the flowers are borne laterally in the axils of the
scale-leaves; in the others (uniaxial) the flower is terminal, and the
rhizome becomes a sympodium after the first flowering.~--_Thalictrum_
(Meadow Rue) has no involucre; 4–5-leaved, greenish perianth. The
receptacle is flat. ~The stamens are brightly-coloured and have long
filaments; 1–5 accessory flowers may occur in the leaf-axils of the
panicle-like inflorescence.~
=6.= CLEMATIDEÆ, CLEMATIS GROUP. This differs from all the others
in the _valvate æstivation_ of the calyx and its opposite leaves.
There are 4 (-several) petaloid sepals; petals are absent, or linear
(_Atragene_). Ovule 1, pendulous. Achenes, often with prolonged,
feathery style. The majority of the genera are shrubs, and climb by
their sensitive, twining leaf-stalks.--_Clematis; Atragene._
POLLINATION. The flowers are conspicuous either by coloured
petals (honey-leaves) (_Ranunculus_, _Pæonia_) or coloured
sepals (_Helleborus_, _Anemone_, _Caltha_, etc.), or by both
(_Aquilegia_, _Delphinium_), or by the coloured stamens
(_Thalictrum_). Some have no honey (_Clematis_, _Anemone_,
_Thalictrum_), and are generally visited by insects for
the sake of their pollen. Others have nectaries on the
corolla (_Ranunculus_, _Trollius_, _Helleborus_, _Nigella_,
_Aconitum_, etc.), more rarely on the stamens (_Pulsatilla_,
_Clematis_-species), or the carpels (_Caltha_), or the calyx
(certain species of _Pæonia_). The honey is readily accessible
in the flat, open flowers, and these flowers also may easily
pollinate themselves. There is marked protandry where the
honey lies deeply hidden, as in _Aquilegia_, _Delphinium_, and
_Aconitum_. _Helleborus_ and some _Ranunculus_-species are
protogynous.
About 680 species; especially in northern temperate climates,
and extending to the Polar and Alpine regions. Only the
_Clematideæ_ are tropical.
The order has an abundance of _acrid_, vesicant properties
(_R. acer_, _sceleratus_, etc.), and _poisonous_ alkaloids
(_Helleborus niger_ is poisonous). OFFICINAL: _Aconitum
napellus_ (aconitine; leaves and tuberous roots); the rhizome of
_Hydrastis canadensis_ from N. Am. (the alkaloid hydrastine).
The order, however, is best known for its ornamental plants;
almost all the genera have species which are cultivated for
their beauty. Sweet-scented flowers are absent.
Order 2. =Nymphæaceæ (Water Lilies).= WATER PLANTS; generally with
large, floating leaves, and large solitary flowers; sepals 3–5, petals
3–∞, stamens 6–∞, carpels 3–∞. The flower is hypogynous, but in the
_Nymphæeæ_ different degrees of epigyny are found, and from this fact,
as well as from the carpels being united into one pistil, the family
forms a lateral offshoot from the Ranunculaceæ, with much greater
modification. The seed often has an aril, and, in the majority, a
farinaceous nutritive tissue, partly endosperm, partly perisperm (Fig.
383 _C_). The embryo has 2 thick cotyledons and a small hypocotyl; the
plumule is well developed, with 2–4 leaves.
1. CABOMBEÆ. 3–4 species (Tropical S. Am.), resembling the
Water Ranunculus, with two kinds of leaves, the submerged being
dissected and the aerial peltate. The flowers are eucyclic,
trimerous, with 2–3 free, epigynous carpels. The ovules are
situated _on the central line_ of the carpel--an almost unique
circumstance. Endosperm and perisperm. _Cabomba; Brasenia._
2. NELUMBONEÆ. The leaves are _peltate_, raised on long stalks high
above the water. Large, _hypogynous_ flowers (Fig. 382); sepals 4–5;
petals numerous; stamens numerous; _carpels several_, _distinct_. The
receptacle is very remarkable, being raised above the stamens, and
developed into an _inverted conical_ body on the apex of which the
nut-like fruits are _embedded in pits_. _Endosperm is wanting_, but
the embryo is large and has well developed cotyledons.--~_Nelumbo_,
2 species. _N. lutea_ (N. Am.); _N. speciosa_ (E. Ind.) was sacred
amongst the ancient Hindoos and Egyptians, (the Lotus flower); its
seeds are used as food.~
3. NYMPHÆEÆ, WATER LILY GROUP. The carpels are united into _one_,
_many-locular ovary_, _whose numerous ovules are situated on the
surface of the partition walls_ (as in the Poppies); the stigma is
sessile and radiating, the number of rays corresponding to the number
of carpels (Fig. 383). The fruit is a spongy _berry_ with many seeds,
which have a large perisperm in addition to the endosperm (Fig. 383
_C_).
[Illustration: FIG. 382.--_Nelumbo nucifera_: vertical section
through the receptacle.]
Sepals, petals, and stamens often pass gradually over the one into the
other, the petals becoming narrower by degrees, and bearing anthers
on each side of the apex, which gradually become larger anthers in
proportion to the filament, until the perfect stamen is developed.
The long-stalked leaves are floating, and most frequently cordate,
elliptical, leathery, with a shiny surface, sometimes (as in _Victoria
regia_ and _Euryale ferox_) with strongly projecting thorny ribs on the
lower surface. In the intercellular passages of the leaves are some
peculiar, stellate cells.
_Nuphar_ has 5 sepals, and an _hypogynous_ flower. ~The petals, which
are small, have a nectary on the back; the coloured inner side of the
sepals functions as petals; the ovate gynœceum is quite free.--_N.
luteum_ is a native plant (Yellow Water-Lily), with, most frequently,
13 petals and 10–16 loculi in the ovary. The rhizome is horizontal, as
much as 5–6 cm. in thickness, and bears on its under surface a number
of roots, which on dying-off leave deep scars; the leaves are borne in
spiral lines, and the flowers are solitary in certain leaf-axils. The
construction of the rhizome is very peculiar; the vascular bundles are
scattered and closed as in a monocotyledonous stem.~
[Illustration: FIG. 383.--_Nymphæa_: _A_ flower in longitudinal
section, the most external leaves being removed; _B_ fruit; _C_
seed of _Nuphar_ (longitudinal section); the perisperm at the
base, the endosperm at the top surrounding the embryo.]
_Nymphæa_ has 4 sepals, and the flower is more or less _epigynous_.
Petals and stamens are inserted at different heights on the ovary to
just beneath the stigma (Fig. 383). _Nymphæa alba_ (White Water-Lily).
_Victoria regia_ from the Amazon, and _Euryale ferox_ from Asia, have
entirely epigynous flowers. ~The shield-like leaves of _Victoria_ are
as much as 2 metres in diameter, and the edge is bent up to a height
of 5–14 cm.; the flowers are 20–40 cm. in diameter, and change in
twenty-four hours from white to rose-red. A development of heat, as
much as 14°C. above the temperature of the air, together with a strong
formation of carbonic acid, has been observed during flowering.~
POLLINATION. _Nymphæa alba_ and other species of the
sub-genus _Symphytopleura_ are self-pollinated; the sub-genus
_Leptopleura_ is insect-pollinated. _Nuphar_ and _Victoria_ can
effect self-fertilisation; _Euryale_ is self-fertilised, often
in entirely closed and submerged flowers.--The dissemination
of the seeds in _Nuphar luteum_ is effected by the fruit,
which rests on the water, becoming detached from its stalk,
and dehiscing from the base upwards so that the seeds are
set free; while in _Nymphæa alba_ the spirally-twisted stalk
draws the fruit under water, and it dehisces by its upper part
being thrown off as a hood, and the seeds which are enclosed
in air-tight sacs rise to the surface of the water. In this
condition they are able to float and can only sink to the bottom
when the air has disappeared.
53 species; in fresh water in all parts of the world, but
especially in the Tropics.--The rhizomes and seeds of some may
be used as food; _Euryale ferox_ is even cultivated. _Nymphæa
cœrulea_ and _Lotus_ were sacred among the Egyptians.
Order 3. =Ceratophyllaceæ.= About 3 species. Aquatic plants, submerged,
rootless; leaves cartilaginous, verticillate, dissected into repeatedly
dichotomous branches which are finely toothed; only one of the leaves
in a whorl supports a vegetative branch. The flowers are _monœcious_,
axillary. Inside the 6–12 perianth-leaves are situated in the ♂-flower
10–20 stamens with thick connective, and in the ♀-flower a gynœceum
formed by one carpel, with one orthotropous and pendulous ovule, which
has only one integument. Fruit a nut, which, in some species, bears on
each side a pointed horn, and at the apex a similar one, formed by the
persistent style.--The embryo has an unusually well developed plumule
with several whorls of leaves. The plant is rootless throughout its
whole life.--_Ceratophyllum_ (Horn-wort).
Order 4. =Annonaceæ.= Sepals 3; petals 3+3 (most frequently
_valvate_); succeeding these (as in the _Ranunculaceæ_) are
_numerous acyclic_ stamens and an _apocarpous gynœceum_; the
flowers are hypogynous, regular and ☿, generally very large
(2–3 cm. in diameter), and the leaves of the perianth are
more or less fleshy or leathery. The majority have syncarps
with berry-like fruitlets, but in _Annona_ and some others
the carpels fuse together into a large, head-like fruit--a
kind of composite berry. The seeds have _ruminate_ endosperm
as in _Myristica_.--Trees or shrubs with _alternate_, simple,
entire, penninerved leaves without stipules. 450 (700?) species;
especially tropical. The best known are _Anona cherimolia_,
_squamosa_ and _reticulata_ (all from America) cultivated on
account of their large, delicious fruits. Some have acrid and
aromatic properties (_Xylopia_, _Cananga_--the flowers of the
latter yield Ylang-ylang); _Artabotrys odoratissimus_; _Asimina_
(N. Am.).
Order 5. =Magnoliaceæ.= Trees or shrubs with scattered, often
leathery, entire leaves, generally with _stipules_, which (as in
_Ficus_) are rolled together and form a hood round the younger
internodes above them, and are cast off by the unfolding of
the next leaf, leaving a ring-like scar. The endosperm is _not
ruminate_. Corolla imbricate. Fruit a syncarp.
=A.= MAGNOLIEÆ. The flowers are borne singly, and before opening
are enveloped in an ochrea-like spathe which corresponds to
the stipules of the foliage-leaves. The perianth generally
consists of 3 trimerous whorls, the external one of which
is sometimes sepaloid (_Liriodendron_, and the majority of
_Magnolia_species), sometimes coloured like the others; the
perianth is sometimes many-seriate. _Numerous spirally-placed_
stamens and carpels. The latter are situated on the _elongated_,
cylindrical receptacle, and are individually more or less
united, except in _Liriodendron_, where they are free. This last
genus has winged achenes; the fruitlets in _Magnolia_ open along
the dorsal and ventral sutures, and the seeds then hang out,
suspended by elastic threads formed from the vascular bundles
of the funicle and raphe; they are red and drupaceous, the
external layer of the shell being fleshy--a very rare occurrence.
=B.= ILLICIEÆ has no stipules. The carpels are situated in a
whorl on a short receptacle. Follicles, one-seeded. The leaves
are dotted by glands containing essential oil. _Illicium;
Drimys._
70 species; in tropical or temperate climates; none in Europe
or Africa. They are chiefly used as ornamental plants, _e.g._
the Tulip-tree (_Liriodendron tulipifera_, N. Am.), _Magnolia
grandiflora_ (N. Am.), _M. yulan_ and _fuscata_ (China), and
others. The remains of _Liriodendron_ occur as fossils in the
Cretaceous and Tertiary periods.--The fruits of _Illicium
anisatum_ (Star-aniseed from Eastern Asia) are OFFICINAL. The
bark of _Drimys winteri_ (S. Am.) is also strongly aromatic.
Order 6. =Calycanthaceæ.= These are very closely related to
the Magnoliaceæ, but differ in having _perigynous_ flowers
with many perianth-leaves, stamens and (about 20) carpels in a
continuous _spiral_, seeds _almost devoid of endosperm_ with
rolled up, leaf-like cotyledons, and leaves opposite on a square
stem.--There are some species in N. America (_Calycanthus
florida_, _occidentalis_, etc.) and 1 in Japan (_Chimonanthus
præcox_), all strongly aromatic.
Order 7. =Monimiaceæ.= Aromatic shrubs with opposite leaves.
Perigynous flowers. The anthers dehisce by valves like those of
the _Lauraceæ_, and the Monimiaceæ may thus be considered as an
apocarpous form of this order. They are also closely related to
_Calycanthaceæ_. 150 species, tropical.--_Hedycarya, Mollinedia,
Monimia._
[Illustration: FIG. 384.--Diagram of _Berberis_.]
[Illustration: FIG. 385.--_Berberis_: carpel with 2 stamens.]
Order 8. =Berberidaceæ (Barberries).=--The regular, ☿, hypogynous
flowers are dimerous or trimerous and have regularly alternating
whorls of free sepals, petals, and stamens and 1 unilocular carpel;
the corolla and stamens have each 2 whorls, the calyx at least 2. The
anthers open, as in Lauraceæ, by (2) _valves_, but are always introrse
(Fig. 384). The pistil has a large, disc-like, almost _sessile_ stigma
(Fig. 385), and in the ovary _several_ erect ovules are placed close to
the base of the ventral suture. The fruit is most frequently a _berry_.
Seeds endospermous.--Shrubs or herbs with scattered, most frequently
compound leaves (without stipules), and racemose inflorescences.--~They
show a relationship to the Lauraceæ in the number of the parts of the
flower and the dehiscence of the anthers.~
_Berberis_ is a shrub; it has sepals 3 + 3, petals 3 + 3, stamens 3
+ 3 (Fig. 384). The petals (honey-leaves) bear internally at the base
2 darkish-yellow nectaries. The filaments are sensitive at the base,
and suddenly bend inwards if touched at that spot (Fig. 385). ~The
racemes often have a terminal, 5-merous flower; they are borne on
dwarf-branches. The leaves on the long-branches develope into thorns,
but the buds in their axils, in the same year as themselves, develope
as the short-branches with simple foliage-leaves, _articulated_ at
the base, from which fact some authorities have considered that the
leaf is compound with a single, terminal leaflet.~--_Mahonia_ has
imparipinnate leaves. The flower has 3 whorls of sepals. Otherwise as
in _Berberis_.--~_Epimedium_; herbs with spurred petals; the flowers
dimerous; 4–5 whorls of sepals, 2 of petals and stamens. Fruit a
capsule. _Leontice_, fruit dry. The anthers of _Podophyllum_ dehisce
longitudinally.--_Nandina. Aceranthus._~
100 species; North temp., especially Asia: fossils in Tertiary.
_Berberis vulgaris_ is a native of Europe. This and other
species, together with _Mahonia aquifolium_ (N. Am.), _Epimedium
alpinum_, etc., are cultivated as ornamental plants. Several
have a yellow colouring matter in the root and stem. OFFICINAL:
the rhizome of _Podophyllum peltatum_ (from N. Am.) yields
podophyllin.
Order 9. =Menispermaceæ.= This order has derived its name from
the more or less crescent-like fruits and seeds. Diœcious.
The flowers are 2–3-merous, most frequently as in _Berberis_
(S3 + 3, P3 + 3, A3 + 3), with the difference that there are
3 _free carpels_, each with 1 ovule; in some genera, however,
the number is different. Stamens often united into a bundle
(as in _Myristica_); anthers dehiscing longitudinally; fruit a
drupe.--The plants (with herbaceous or woody stems) belonging
to this order are nearly all _twining_ or _climbing_ plants,
and have scattered, palmate or peltate, sometimes lobed leaves
without stipules. Structure of stem anomalous. _Cocculus,
Menispermum, Cissampelos, Anamirta._
150 species; Tropical; very rich in bitter and poisonous
properties. OFFICINAL: Calumba-root from _Jateorhiza columba_
(E. Africa). The following are cultivated as ornamental
plants:--_Menispermum canadense_ (N. Am.) and _M. dahuricum_
(Asia). The fruits of _Anamirta cocculus_ (E. Ind.) are very
poisonous (“Grains-of-Paradise”; the poisonous matter is
picrotoxine).
Order 10. =Lardizabalaceæ.= This order, by the free, apocarpous
carpels, belongs to a more primitive type, and by the united
stamens to a more developed one. _Akebia_; _Holbœllia_;
principally climbing or twining shrubs. About 7 species in S.E.
Asia and S. Am.
Order 11. =Lauraceæ= (=True Laurels=). Trees or shrubs; the leaves,
always without stipules, are simple, most frequently scattered,
lanceolate or elliptical, entire, penninerved, finely reticulate
(except _Cinnamomum_ with 3–5-veined leaf), leathery and evergreen
(except, _e.g. Cinnamomum_); they are frequently studded with clear
glands containing _volatile oil_. The flowers are borne in panicles
and are small and of a greenish or whitish colour. They are _regular,
perigynous_, with most frequently a bowl or cup-shaped receptacle
(Fig. 386), usually ☿, and _trimerous_ (rarely dimerous) through all
(most frequently 6–7) whorls; viz. most frequently, perianth 2 whorls,
stamens 3–4 and carpels 1 (P3 + 3, A3 + 3 + 3 + 3, G3) in regular
alternation (Fig. 387). Each of the 2 or 4 loculi of the anthers _open
by an upwardly directed valve_ (Fig. 386); of the stamens, the 2
outermost whorls are generally introrse, the others extrorse, or 1–3
whorls are developed as staminodes (Fig. 387 _g_). The gynœceum has
1 loculus with 1 style and 1 pendulous ovule (Fig. 386), and may be
considered as formed of 3 carpels. The fruit is a _berry_ (Fig. 388)
or _drupe_, which often is surrounded at its base by the persistent
receptacle (as an acorn by its cupule), which becomes fleshy and
sometimes coloured during the ripening of the fruit. The embryo has 2
thick cotyledons, but _no endosperm_ (Fig. 388).
[Illustration: FIG. 386.--Flower of the Cinnamon-tree
(_Cinnamomum zeylanicum_) (longitudinal section).]
[Illustration: FIG. 387.--Typical diagram of the Lauraceæ: _g_
staminodes.]
[Illustration: FIG. 388.--_Laurus nobilis_: longitudinal section
of fruit.]
The Lauraceæ present affinities with the Polygonaceæ, in
which there is found perigyny, as well as a similar number of
parts in the flower and a similar gynœceum, but with erect
and orthotropous ovule. From their general characters they
should be classed among the Polycarpicæ, but stand, however,
isolated by the _syncarpous_ gynœceum, if it is in reality
formed by 3 carpels and not by 1 only. _Hernandia_, which has
epigynous monœcious flowers, deviates most.--_Cassytha_ is
a _Cuscuta_-like, herbaceous, slightly green parasite with
twining, almost leafless stems. The flower however agrees with
the diagram in Fig. 387. Some Lauraceæ have curved veins or
palminerved and lobed leaves (often together with entire ones)
_e.g. Sassafras_.
[Illustration: FIG. 389.--_Myristica_: fruit.]
[Illustration: FIG. 390.--Seed with aril entire and in
longitudinal section.]
There are 1000 species; especially in the forests of tropical
S. America and Asia, of which they form the principal part.
Only _Laurus nobilis_ is found in Europe, and there is little
doubt that its proper home is in Western Asia. They are
rare in Africa.--On account of _the volatile oil_ found in
all parts of the plant, they are used as _spices_, _e.g._
the false Cinnamon-tree (_Dicypellium caryophyllatum_, in
the Brazils). The OFFICINAL ones are--the Cinnamon-tree
(_Cinnamomum zeylanicum_ from Ceylon, E. India, Eastern Asia),
which is also cultivated; the Camphor-tree (_Cinnamomum
camphora_, Eastern Asia). The Laurel-tree (_Laurus nobilis_,
Mediterranean), the berries and leaves of which give laurel oil,
is medicinal.--Scented wood for furniture, etc., is obtained
from _Sassafras officinalis_ (from N. Am.). The wood from its
roots is officinal. Pichurim “beans” are the large cotyledons
of _Nectandra pichury_, whilst the famous “Greenheart” wood
of Demarara is the wood of _Nectandra rodiæi_. The pulp and
seeds contain a _fatty oil_. The pear-like fruit of _Persea
gratissima_ (Mexico, also cultivated) is very delicious.
_Lindera benzoin_ is a garden shrub; _Laurus nobilis_ likewise.
Order 12. =Myristicaceæ= (=Nutmegs=). In this order there is
only 1 genus, _Myristica_. Trees or shrubs. The leaves agree
closely with those of the Lauraceæ, with which this order has
many points in common. The majority of the species are aromatic,
having in their vegetative parts pellucid glands with volatile
oils. The flowers are regular, diœcious, trimerous, and have a
single gamophyllous (cupular or campanulate) 3-toothed, fleshy
perianth. In the ♂-flowers the anthers vary in number (3–15),
and they are extrorse and borne on a centrally-placed column;
in the ♀-flower the gynœceum is unilocular, unicarpellary, with
1 ovule. The FRUIT (Fig. 389) has the form of a pear; it is a
fleshy, yellow capsule, which opens along the ventral and dorsal
sutures, exposing the large seed. This seed has a large, red,
irregularly branched aril--the so-called “mace”; the “nutmeg,”
on the other hand, is the seed itself with the inner thin
portion of the testa, which has pushed its way irregularly into
the endosperm, and causes the marbled appearance of the cut seed
(Fig. 390); the external, dark brown, hard, and brittle part
of the seed-shell is however removed. Mace and nutmeg contain
volatile and fatty oils in abundance.--80 species. Tropical. The
majority are used on account of their aromatic seeds and aril,
the most important being _M. fragrans_ (_moschata_), from the
Moluccas. This is cultivated in special plantations, not only in
its native home, but in other tropical countries also. Nutmegs
were known as commodities in Europe in very ancient times
(_e.g._ by the Romans), but it was not until the year 1500 that
the tree itself was known. The seed is OFFICINAL.