Order 3 (?). =Proteaceæ.= This order has its chief centre in the dry
regions of Australia (6/10–7/10 of about 1,000 species), a smaller
number in S. Africa (2/10–3/10). a few species in S. Am. Trees or
shrubs, leaves generally scattered, without stipules, and more or
less dry, leathery, evergreen, and often of very different forms on
the same plant (undivided, compound, etc.) The flowers are ☿ (rarely
unisexual), and _4-merous_ in the single, petaloid perianth and in the
staminal whorl; 1 carpel; sometimes zygomorphic. The perianth-leaves
are generally almost free, with _valvate_, æstivation, often leathery.
Small scales alternating with the perianth are often found at the
base of the ovary. The stamens generally have extremely short
filaments, and are situated opposite, sometimes quite on the tip of the
perianth-leaves, in a spoon-like groove. The gynœceum is 1-locular, has
1–several ovules, and is often raised on a stalk-like internode. The
fruit is a follicle or nut. The seeds, most frequently winged, have no
endosperm.--_Protea_, _Manglesia_, _Hakea_, _Banksia_, _Grevillea_,
etc. 50 genera; about 1,000 species. Several species are cultivated in
our conservatories for the sake of the flowers, which are beautifully
coloured and arranged in crowded inflorescences. Protandrous. It is
doubtful whether they were existent in Europe in the Tertiary Period.
The true systematic position of the order is doubtful. They are related
to the Leguminosæ and Rosifloræ, but more closely no doubt to the two
preceding orders.