Chapter V: Dicotyledoneae (8)

Flowers distinctly irregular. Perianth-segments more or less united, except the hindmost, which is separated from the others. 11

6. Leaves, at least the inferior, more or less divided. 7

Leaves all undivided. 8

7. Heads arranged in sometimes very short spikes, 4-flowered. Ovary glabrous or almost so. Fruit sessile.--Species 15. South Africa. (_Nivenia_ R. Br.) =Paranomus= Salisb. & Knight

Heads solitary or arranged in corymbs or heads, usually many-flowered. Ovary hairy, usually woolly or hispid. Fruit short-stalked.--Species 70. South Africa. =Serruria= Salisb.

8. Heads solitary, 4-or more-flowered. Fruit sessile.--Species 20. South Africa. (Including _Orothamnus_ Eckl.) =Mimetes= Salisb.

Heads arranged in spikes, racemes, or umbels, 1-6-flowered. Fruit with a short stalk. 9

9. Flowers somewhat irregular. Stigma lateral, or very oblique, or seated in the centre of a disc-like expansion of the style-apex. Heads in lax spikes or racemes.--Species 25. South Africa. =Spatalla= Salisb.

Flowers regular. Stigma terminal or nearly so, conical or club-shaped. 10

10. Style more or less lateral, not constricted at the base. Perianth-tube 4-angled. Inflorescence cylindrical.--Species 5. South Africa. =Spatallopsis= Phillips

Style terminal, constricted at the base. Perianth-tube short, not 4-angled. Inflorescence globose.--Species 12. South Africa. =Sorocephalus= R. Br.

11. (5.) Anterior perianth-segments separating above. Anthers oblong or ovate. Style deciduous. Fruit glabrous. Flowers in sometimes oblong heads, usually yellow.--Species 40. South and East Africa. Some species yield timber and bark for tanning. (Plate 33.) =Leucospermum= R. Br.

Anterior perianth-segments united almost to the top into a lip. Anthers linear. Style persistent. Fruit covered with dense hairs. 12

12. Flowers in spikes or racemes. Anthers obtuse.--Species 15. Tropical and South-east Africa. Some species yield timber. =Faurea= Harv.

Flowers in heads. Anthers usually with a prolonged connective.--Species 130. South and Central Africa. Some species yield timber, bark for tanning, or medicaments. (_Leucadendron_ L.) =Protea= L.

ORDER SANTALALES

SUBORDER SANTALINEAE

FAMILY 56. SANTALACEAE

Terrestrial plants, sometimes parasitic on roots. Leaves undivided, exstipulate, sometimes scale-like. Flowers regular. Perianth simple. Stamens 3-6, as many as and inserted on the perianth-segments, equalling them or shorter. Anthers stalked, 2-celled. Ovary inferior, rarely almost superior, 1-celled. Ovule 1, basal, or ovules 2-5, pendulous from the apex of a central or subparietal placenta. Style simple or wanting. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds without a testa, with copious fleshy albumen; radicle of the embryo superior.--Genera 6, Species 140. (Plate 34.)

1. Ovary superior. Ovule 1. Style absent; stigma 2-lobed. Stalk of the fruit fleshy. Shrubs or trees.--Species 1. Madagascar. Used medicinally. [Tribe ANTHOBOLEAE.] =Exocarpus= Labill.

Ovary inferior. Ovules 2-5. Style present. 2

2. Perianth-tube above the ovary coated by a disc on the inside, or wanting. Placenta thick, straight. Ovules recurved. Stigma 3-4-parted or 4-5-lobed. Fruit a drupe. Shrubs. [Tribe OSYRIDEAE.] 3

Perianth-tube above the ovary not coated by a disc on the inside. Placenta thin, usually flexuous. Ovules straight. Stigma entire or obscurely 2-3-lobed. [Tribe THESIEAE.] 4

3. Leaves, at least most of them, opposite. Flowers in panicles which are sometimes composed of false umbels, 4-6-merous, hermaphrodite or polygamous. Stigma 4-5-lobed. Embryo with very short cotyledons.--Species 2. South Africa. They yield timber and tanning material. (_Rhoiocarpus_ A. DC.) =Colpoon= Berg

Leaves alternate. Flowers in false umbels, which are often arranged in racemes, or the female and hermaphrodite solitary, 3-4-merous, dioecious or polygamous. Stigma 3-4-partite. Embryo with long cotyledons.--Species 8. North and East Africa to Natal. Some species yield fragrant wood (African sandalwood), tanning and dyeing materials, and medicaments. (Plate 34.) =Osyris= L.

4. Flowers dioecious. Perianth-tube above the ovary very shortly campanulate; segments usually with a tuft of hairs in the male flowers. Anther-halves elliptical. Style short.--Species 6. South Africa. =Thesidium= Sond.

Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianth-tube above the ovary campanulate or cylindrical; segments with tufts or rows of hairs. Anther-halves usually oblong. Style long or rather short. 5

5. Fruit a drupe. Flowers axillary, solitary or in glomerules. Undershrubs.--Species 7. East and South Africa. =Osyridicarpus= A. DC.

Fruit a nut.--Species 120. =Thesium= L.

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 35._

J. Fleischmann del.

Osyris tenuifolia Engl.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Male flower. _C_ Male flower from above. _D_ Male flower cut lengthwise.]

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 36._

J. Fleischmann del.

Opilia amentacea Roxb.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Flower. _C_ Flower cut lengthwise.]

FAMILY 57. OPILIACEAE

Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, entire. Flowers in spikes, racemes or umbels, regular, hermaphrodite. Calyx (or calyx-like excrescence of the receptacle) entire or obscurely 4-5-toothed. Petals (or perianth-segments) 4-5, free. Stamens equal in number and opposite to them, free or adnate at the base. Disc present. Ovary superior or nearly so, 1-celled, with a thick central placenta. Ovule 1, pendulous from the apex of the placenta, with no coat. Style simple. Fruit succulent. Seed without a testa; albumen abundant; embryo large, with superior radicle.--Genera 2, species 15. (Under _OLACINEAE.)_ (Plate 35.)

Axis of the inflorescence with cushion-shaped swellings at the base of the pedicels. Flowers in short racemes or umbels. Receptacle broad, cupular. Disc lobed. Petals with inflected tips. Filaments short. Anthers broad.--Species 5. Central Africa. =Rhopalopilia= Pierre

Axis of the inflorescence without swellings. Flowers in racemes. Receptacle small.--Species 10. Central Africa to Delagoa Bay. (_Groutia_ Guill. & Perr., including _Urobotrya_ Stapf). (Plate 35.) =Opilia= Roxb.

FAMILY 58. GRUBBIACEAE

Shrubs. Leaves opposite, narrow, entire, leathery. Inflorescences axillary, cymose. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite. Perianth 4-partite, with sepaloid, valvate segments. Stamens 8, almost free from the perianth. Anthers 2-celled. Ovary inferior, 1-celled or at first incompletely 2-celled. Ovules 2, pendulous from a central or subparietal placenta, straight, with no coat. Style simple; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a drupe. Seed 1, with a thin testa and fleshy albumen; embryo straight, with inferior radicle. (Under _SANTALACEAE_ or _HAMAMELIDACEAE_.)

Genus 1, species 4. South Africa (Cape Colony). =Grubbia= Berg

FAMILY 59. OLACACEAE

Shrubs or trees, rarely undershrubs. Leaves entire. Flowers regular. Calyx usually small. Petals or corolla-lobes 3-6, nearly always valvate in bud. Anthers opening by 2 longitudinal slits. Ovary superior or nearly so, rarely half-inferior or almost inferior, 1-celled, usually septate at the base, rarely 2-5-celled to the top. Ovules 1-5, pendulous from the apex of a usually free placenta, inverted. Style simple. Fruit indehiscent. Seed 1, with a small embryo and abundant albumen.--Genera 11, species 70. Tropical and South Africa. (Plate 36.)

1. Ovary superior, 1-celled, sometimes septate at the base. Ovules 2-3, with no coat. 2

Ovary superior, 1-celled with 4-5 ovules, or completely or nearly completely 3-4-celled, or more or less inferior. Ovules with 1-2 coats. 5

2. Filaments united into a long tube. Stamens 4-5, as many as and opposite the divisions of the corolla. Disc 4-5-lobed. Calyx enlarged in fruit. Flowers in racemes or panicles. [Tribe APTANDREAE.] 3

Filaments free or nearly so. [Tribe OLACEAE.] 4

3. Flowers 4-merous, unisexual. Ovules 2. Calyx cupular, not splitting at the time of maturity.--Species 1. West Africa. =Aptandra= Miers

Flowers 5-merous. Ovules 3. Calyx splitting into 3 segments at the time of maturity.--Species 2. Equatorial West Africa. They yield timber and oily seeds which are also used in medicine. =Ongokea= Pierre

4. Ovules 2. Stamens 5-10. Calyx not enlarged in fruit.--Species 6. West Africa. =Ptychopetalum= Benth.

Ovules 3. Stamens 6-12, of which 3-6 are fertile. Calyx enlarged in fruit.--Species 40. Tropics. Some species yield timber. (Plate 36.) =Olax= L.

5. Stamens as many as and opposite the petals, 4-6, free or nearly so. [Tribe ANACOLOSEAE.] 6

Stamens 2-4 times as many as the petals. Ovary superior, completely or almost completely 3-4-celled. 9

6. Ovary superior, septate at the base, with 4-5 ovules. Flowers 5-merous, in panicles.--Species 1. Island of Mauritius. =Stolidia= Baill.

Ovary inferior or half-inferior. Flowers in axillary spikes, racemes or fascicles. 7

7. Flowers 6-merous. Calyx entire or toothed. Ovary very incompletely 2-celled. Ovules 2.--Species 1. Madagascar. =Anacolosa= Blume

Flowers 4-5-merous. Ovary completely or almost completely 3-4-celled. Ovules 3-4. 8

8. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx shortly toothed. Ovary 4-celled. Fruit a drupe.--Species 2. Equatorial West Africa. =Strombosiopsis= Engl.

Flowers 5-merous. Calyx deeply divided. Ovary 3-celled. Fruit a berry.--Species 7. Central Africa. (Including _Lavalleopsis_ Van Tiegh.) =Strombosia= Blume

9. Stamens 3-4 times as many as the petals, 12-20. Calyx entire, not enlarged in fruit. Juice resinous.--Species 1. Equatorial West Africa. Yields timber and edible oily seeds. [Tribe COULEAE.] =Coula= Baill.

Stamens twice as many as the petals, 8-12. Calyx 4-6-toothed. Juice not resinous. 10

10. Anthers globose. Ovary incompletely 3-celled. Style short. Petals 5-6. Calyx much enlarged in fruit. Leaves with milky juice.--Species 3. West Africa. [Tribe HEISTERIEAE.] =Heisteria= Jaqu.

Anthers linear. Ovary almost completely 3-4-celled. Style as long as the ovary. Petals 4-5. Calyx not enlarged in fruit. Leaves with watery juice.--Species 3. Tropical and South-East Africa. They yield fragrant wood, bark for tanning, edible fruits, and oily seeds, and are also used in medicine. [Tribe XIMENIEAE.] =Ximenia= Plum.

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 37._

J. Fleischmann del.

Olax Durandii Engl.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Branch of another specimen. _C_ Flower cut lengthwise.]

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 38._

J. Fleischmann del.

Aristolochia bracteata Retz.

_A_ Plant in flower. _B_ Flower. _C_ Lower part of the flower (the ovary cut lengthwise).]

FAMILY 60. OCTOKNEMATACEAE

Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, undivided, without stipules. Flowers in axillary racemes. Petals 5, valvate in bud. Stamens 5, opposite the petals; filaments short. Disc obscure. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, with a free filiform placenta and 3 pendulous ovules. Style divided into 3-5 two-or three-cleft lobes. Fruit woody, surrounded by the fleshy receptacle. Seeds with a thin coat; embryo minute, situated at the apex of the 8-furrowed albumen. (Under _OLACACEAE_.)

Genus 1, species 3. Equatorial West Africa. =Octoknema= Pierre

SUBORDER LORANTHINEAE

FAMILY 61. LORANTHACEAE

Shrubs, parasitic upon trees. Leaves undivided, exstipulate, sometimes scale-like. Perianth simple, with 2-6 valvate segments, often surrounded at the base by a calyx-like outgrowth of the receptacle. Stamens as many as and opposite the perianth-segments and inserted on them. Ovary inferior, with 1-4 indistinctly developed ovules. Style and stigma simple. Fruit succulent. Seeds albuminous.--Genera, 4, species 300. (Plate 37.)

1. Receptacle with a calyx-like outgrowth surrounding the base of the perianth. Flowers usually hermaphrodite. Anthers usually stalked and opening by two longitudinal slits. Style more or less filiform. Leaves well-developed.--Species 250. Tropical and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. (Plate 37). [Subfamily =LORANTHOIDEAE=.] =LORANTHUS= L.

Receptacle without a calyx-like outgrowth. Flowers unisexual. Anthers sessile. [Subfamily =VISCOIDEAE=.] 2

2. Anthers adnate to the perianth; cells several or many, opening by pores. Placenta basal. Flowers in clusters of 3 or more.--Species 50. Some of them yield bird-lime or are used medicinally. “Mistletoe.” [Tribe VISCEAE.] =Viscum= L.

Anthers seated on the perianth, but not adnate to it; cells 1-2, opening by longitudinal or transverse slits. Placenta central. Leaves scale-like. 3

3. Anthers 1-celled, opening by a transverse slit. Perianth of the male flowers 2-5-parted, of the female 2-parted. Flowers dioecious, solitary.--Species 1. North-West Africa. [Tribe ARCEUTHOBIEAE.] =Arceuthobium= Marsch. Bieb.

Anthers 2-celled, opening by 2 longitudinal slits. Perianth 3-parted. Flowers monoecious, disposed in rows.--Species 5. Madagascar and neighbouring islands. (_Bifaria_ Van Tiegh.) [Tribe PHORADENDREAE.] =Korthalsella= Van Tiegh.

SUBORDER BALANOPHORINEAE

FAMILY 62. BALANOPHORACEAE

Succulent herbs without green colour, parasitic on roots, upon which their root-stock is seated. Leaves reduced to scales. Flowers in spadix-like spikes or heads, red, unisexual. Perianth in the male flowers of 3-6 segments, in the female 3-lobed or wanting. Stamens as many as and opposite the perianth-segments, sometimes one of them abortive. Ovary inferior or naked, 1-celled. Ovules 1-3, pendulous from a central placenta or from the apex of the cell or adnate to the wall of the ovary, without coats. Style simple, sometimes very short; stigma entire or lobed. Fruit a drupe. Seed without a testa; albumen copious; embryo small, apical, undivided.--Genera 4, species 6. Tropical and South Africa.

1. Fertile stamens 2. Female flowers with a 3-lobed perianth. Ovules 3. Stigma 3-lobed, borne on a long filiform style. Spadices oblong, solitary.--Species 2. South Africa. [Subfamily =MYSTROPETALOIDEAE=.] =Mystropetalon= Harv.

Fertile stamens 3 or more. Female flowers without a perianth, but the base of the style sometimes surrounded by a tubular outgrowth of the receptacle. Stigma entire or sessile. 2

2. Stamens free. Anthers globose, many-celled. Ovules 3. Stigma sessile. Spadices panicled. Root-stock not resinous.--Species 1. South and East Africa. [Subfamily =SARCOPHYTOIDEAE=.] =Sarcophyte= Sparrm.

Stamens united. Anthers 2-4-celled. Ovule 1. Style and stigma simple. Spadices solitary. Root-stock resinous. [Subfamily =BALANOPHOROIDEAE=.] 3

3. Anthers 3-6, linear, 4-celled. Ovary linear. Ovule adnate to the wall of the ovary. Perianth-segments of the male flowers linear. Spadices hemispherical.--Species 2. Tropics. [Tribe LANGSDORFFIEAE.] =Thonningia= Vahl

Anthers numerous, 2-celled. Ovule free, pendulous.--Species 1. Comoro Islands. [Tribe BALANOPHOREAE.] =Balanophora= Forst.

ORDER ARISTOLOCHIALES

FAMILY 63. ARISTOLOCHIACEAE

Leaves alternate, entire or lobed. Flowers axillary, solitary or in clusters, irregular, hermaphrodite. Perianth simple, corolla-like, with a distinct tube. Stamens 5-24, adnate to the style. Anthers opening outwards or laterally by longitudinal slits. Ovary inferior, 4-6-celled. Ovules several or many in each cell, pendulous descending or horizontal, inverted. Style or stigma 6-lobed. Fruit capsular. Seeds with a small embryo and copious albumen. (Plate 38.)

Genus 1, species 30. Some are used medicinally. =Aristolochia= L.

FAMILY 64. RAFFLESIACEAE

Parasitic herbs, partly immersed in the tissue of the plants upon which they grow. Leaves reduced to scales. Flowers terminal, solitary or in racemes, regular, unisexual. Perianth-segments 4 or more. Stamens 8 or more; filaments united into a column. Ovary inferior, 1-celled with 4 or more parietal placentas, or several-celled with axile placentas. Ovules numerous. Style simple; stigmas situated beneath its thickened apex. Fruit a berry. Seeds minute, with a hard testa, oily albumen, and undivided embryo.--Genera 2, Species 4. (_CYTINACEAE_.)

Ovary 1-celled, with usually 4 slightly projecting parietal placentas. Ovules inverted. Anthers affixed beneath the thickened apex of the staminal column, opening by transverse slits. Perianth-segments free. Flowers solitary.--Species 1. Southern West Africa (Angola). (Under _Apodanthes_ Poiteau). [Tribe APODANTHEAE.] =Pilostyles= Guill.

Ovary more or less completely 6-or more-celled; placentas parietal, but much projecting, sometimes uniting in the middle. Ovules straight. Anthers laterally affixed to the thickened apex of the staminal column, opening by longitudinal slits. Perianth-segments united below. Flowers in spikes, racemes, or panicles.--Species 3. North and South Africa and Madagascar. They have edible fruits and are used medicinally. [Tribe CYTINEAE.] =Cytinus= L.

FAMILY 65. HYDNORACEAE

Fleshy, herbaceous, leafless root-parasites with a creeping root-stock. Flowers solitary, regular, hermaphrodite. Perianth simple, fleshy, tubular, with 3-4 (very rarely 5) valvate segments. Stamens as many as and alternate with the perianth-segments, inserted in the tube; filaments united; anther-cells numerous, linear, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, with many placentas hanging down from the top of the cell. Stigma sessile. Fruit succulent. Seeds with a hard testa, copious albumen, and undivided embryo. (Under _CYTINACEAE_).

Genus 1, species 8. Tropical and South Africa. Some are edible or used for tanning. =Hydnora= Thunb.

ORDER POLYGONALES

FAMILY 66. POLYGONACEAE

Leaves alternate, undivided or pinnately cleft, provided at the base with a stem-clasping sheath. Flowers regular. Perianth-segments 3-6. Stamens 4-50. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Ovule 1. Styles 2-4, free or united at the base. Fruit a nut. Seed with an abundant, mealy albumen and a usually lateral embryo.--Genera 9, species 120. (Plate 39.)

1. Stamens as many as perianth-segments, 6, rarely 4; occasionally fewer than perianth-segments, and then stamens 4-5 and perianth-segments 5-6 in the male, 6 in the female flowers; in this case stem herbaceous and flowers monoecious. [Subfamily =RUMICOIDEAE=, Tribe RUMICEAE.] 2

Stamens more than perianth-segments, rarely equal in number, but then 5. Herbs or undershrubs with hermaphrodite or polygamous flowers, or shrubs. 3

2. Perianth at the time of maturity firm, tubular, tightly clasping the fruit. Flowers unisexual. Annual herbs.--Species 2. North and South Africa, also naturalized in the Mascarene Islands. =Emex= Neck.

Perianth at the time of maturity more or less membranous, not tubular and not clasping the fruit very tightly.--Species 45. Some are used as vegetables, for tanning and dyeing, or in medicine. “Dock.” =Rumex= L.

3. Seed with ruminate albumen. Shrubs with 5, 7-10, or 20-50 stamens. [Subfamily =COCCOLOBOIDEAE=.] 4

Seed with homogeneous albumen. Herbs or undershrubs, more rarely shrubs with 6 or 12-18 stamens. [Subfamily =POLYGONOIDEAE=.] 5

4. Flowers unisexual. Perianth-segments 4 or 6, the outer deciduous. Stamens 20-50. Erect shrubs or trees.--Species 1. West Africa. [Tribe TRIPLARIDEAE.] =Symmeria= Benth.

Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianth-segments 5, united at the base into a tube becoming two-winged in fruit. Stamens 5-10. Mostly climbing, tendril-bearing plants.--Species 3. West Africa. [Tribe COCCOLOBEAE.] =Brunnichia= Banks

5. Stem woody, shrubby. Leaves small. Stamens 6 or 12-18. Filaments united at the base. [Tribe ATRAPHAXIDEAE.] 6

Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only. Stamens 8, more rarely 5-7. Filaments free, but sometimes inserted on a ring-shaped disc. [Tribe POLYGONEAE.] 7

6. Perianth-segments 4, the inner much enlarged in fruit. Stamens 6, the outer with a callosity at the base. Stigmas 2. Fruit glabrous. Embryo lateral. Leaves ovate or orbicular.--Species 1. Egypt. =Atraphaxis= L.

Perianth-segments 5-6, not enlarged in fruit. Stamens 12-18, with a hairy appendage at the base. Stigmas 4. Fruit bristly. Embryo axile. Leaves linear or subulate.--Species 1. North Africa. =Calligonum= L.

7. Perianth-segments of the hermaphrodite and female flowers united below into a narrow tube. Flowers polygamous.--Species 17. Central and South Africa. Some are used as vegetables and for making bread. (Including _Raphanopsis_ Welw.) (Plate 39.) Oxygonum Burch.

Perianth-segments not united below into a narrow tube. 8

8. Seed with broad, folded cotyledons. Perianth shorter than the fruit. Leaves cordate.--Species 1 (_F. esculentum_ Moench, buckwheat). Cultivated as a cereal or fodder-plant. (Under _Polygonum_ L.) =Fagopyrum= Gaertn.

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 39._

J. Fleischmann del.

Oxygonum sinuatum (Hochst. and Steud.) Benth. and Hook.

_A_ Fruiting plant. _B_ Flower cut lengthwise. _C_ Fruit cut lengthwise.]

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 40._

J. Fleischmann del.

Traganum nudatum Del.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Part of a fruiting branch,. _C_ End of a branch. _D_ Flower with bracts and bracteoles. _E_ Flower cut lengthwise.]

Seed with narrow, not folded cotyledons.--Species 50. Some are poisonous, others serve as ornamental, medicinal, or fodder-plants, or yield tanning and dyeing materials. =Polygonum= L.

ORDER CENTROSPERMAE

SUBORDER CHENOPODIINEAE

FAMILY 67. CHENOPODIACEAE

Stem erect, ascending, or prostrate. Leaves exstipulate, sometimes wanting. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish. Perianth simple, of 1-5 imbricate segments, herbaceous or membranous, persistent, rarely wanting. Stamens as many as and opposite the perianth-segments or fewer, inserted on the receptacle or the base of the perianth. Anthers attached by the back, opening inwards or laterally by longitudinal slits, curved inwards in the bud. Ovary superior, rarely (_Beta_) half-inferior, 1-celled. Ovule 1, on a basal funicle, curved. Stigmas 2-5. Fruit dehiscing by a lid or indehiscent. Seed with a curved, peripheral embryo.--Genera 26, species 120. (_SALSOLACEAE._) (Plate 40.)

1. Embryo spiral. Albumen wanting or separated in two parts by the embryo. 2

Embryo more or less ring-or horseshoe-shaped or folded together. Albumen wholly or partly enclosed by the embryo, rarely wanting. 11

2. Bracteoles small, scale-like. Perianth herbaceous or fleshy. Stigmas thread-shaped, papillose all round. Leaves glabrous, fleshy.--Species 10. Some are used as vegetables or for making soda. (Including _Chenopodina_ Moq., _Lerchia_ Hall., _Schanginia_ C. A. Mey., _Schoberia_ C. A. Mey., and _Sevada_ Moq.) [Tribe SUAEDEAE.] =Suaeda= Forsk.

Bracteoles equalling or exceeding the perianth. Perianth usually membranous. Stigmas papillose on the inside. Leaves usually hairy. [Tribe SALSOLEAE.] 3

3. Seed horizontal. Disc usually inconspicuous. [Subtribe SODINAE.] 4

Seed vertical. Disc usually lobed. [Subtribe ANABASINAE.] 6

4. Perianth 5-lobed, hardening to the top and wingless in the fruit. Filaments flattened. Disc inconspicuous. Embryo in a conical spiral. Shrubs with continuous branches and alternate leaves.--Species 2. North Africa to the Sahara. (Plate 40.) =Traganum= Del.

Perianth 4-5-parted or of 4-5 free segments, not hardening or at the base only and furnished with a horizontal wing in the fruit. 5

5. Branches jointed. Leaves scale-like, opposite, connate in pairs. Shrubs. Perianth-segments free. Anthers blunt. Disc lobed, enlarged in the fruit. Embryo in a flat spiral.--Species 2. North Africa. =Haloxylon= Bunge

Branches continuous. Disc usually inconspicuous.--Species 20. Some of them are used as vegetables or in medicine or furnish soda. “Saltwort.” (Including _Caroxylon_ Thunb.) =Salsola= L.

6. Perianth of 2 inner and 3 outer segments of which two are in front and one behind. Fruiting perianth winged, not hardened. Seed compressed dorsally. Flowers solitary, more rarely in clusters, and then branches jointed and leaves opposite. 7

Perianth of 3 inner and 2 outer segments of which one is in front and one behind. Fruiting perianth more or less hardened. Seed compressed laterally. Branches continuous. 8

7. Branches jointed. Leaves opposite, sometimes reduced to scales. Filaments awl-shaped. Style short.--Species 5. North Africa and Nubia. Some yield soda or are used medicinally. =Anabasis= L.

Branches continuous. Leaves alternate. Spinous shrubs. Flowers solitary. Filaments flattened; connective pointed. Style long. Pericarp membranous.--Species 1. North Africa. =Noaea= Moq.

8. Perianth-segments united at the base, wingless in the fruit, but one of them sometimes produced into a prickle. Style long. Shrubs. 9

Perianth-segments free, winged in the fruit, at least some of them. Style short. Disc lobed. Leaves alternate. Flowers in clusters. 10

9. Leaves opposite. Flowers in pairs, hermaphrodite. Disc indistinct.--Species 1. Sahara. =Nucularia= Battand.

Leaves alternate. Flowers in clusters, polygamous. Disc lobed.--Species 2. North Africa and Northern Central Africa. =Cornulaca= Del.

10. Inner perianth-segments not winged in the fruit. Stamens with a 2-lobed connective. Shrubs.--Species 1. North Africa. (Under _Halogeton_ C. A. Mey.) =Agathophora= Fenzl

Inner and outer perianth-segments winged in the fruit. Stamens with a blunt connective. Herbs.--Species 1. North-West Africa (Algeria). Used as a vegetable or for making soda. =Halogeton= C. A. Mey.

11. (1.) Branches more or less distinctly jointed. Leaves little developed, glabrous. Flowers in clusters, usually of 3, arising in the axils of scale-like bracts or apparently sunk in hollows of the rachis and collected in cone-shaped inflorescences. Stamens 1-2. [Tribe SALICORNIEAE.] 12

Branches continuous. Leaves well developed, usually hairy. Flowers solitary or in clusters, more rarely in spike-like inflorescences. Stamens 3-5, more rarely 1-2. 16

12. Bracts and upper leaves alternate. 13

Bracts and upper leaves opposite. 14

13. Perianth slightly flattened from the side, 4-5-toothed, surrounded by a wing-like border. Stamens 2. Ovule with a short funicle. Micropyle of the ovule and radicle of the embryo inferior. Low shrubs.--Species 1. North-West Africa (Algeria). =Kalidium= Moq.

Perianth flattened from the back, 3-toothed, without a wing-like border. Ovule with a long funicle. Micropyle and radicle superior or ascending.--Species 2. North Africa to Nubia. Yield soda. =Halopeplis= Bunge

14. Bracts free, peltate, deciduous. Perianth 3-parted. Stamen 1, inserted in front. Ovule on a long, curved, almost ring-shaped funicle. Micropyle and radicle superior. Shrubs.--Species 1. North Africa to Eritrea. Yields soda. =Halocnemum= Marsch. Bieb.

Bracts united, persistent; flower-clusters apparently sunk in hollows of the branch-joints. Perianth 3-4-toothed or-cleft. Stamen 1, inserted behind, or stamens 2. Ovule on a short funicle. Micropyle and radicle inferior. 15

15. Seed smooth or tubercled; embryo curved; albumen abundant, lateral. Stamens 2. Stigmas 2. Shrubs.--Species 3. North and Central Africa. They yield soda and are used in medicine. =Arthrocnemum= Moq.

Seed hairy; embryo folded together; albumen scanty and central or wanting.--Species 4. Sea-coasts. They yield soda and are used in medicine. =Salicornia= L.

16. Flowers unisexual, sometimes intermixed with a few hermaphrodite, of two kinds, the male and hermaphrodite with a 3-5-parted perianth and without bracteoles, the female without a perianth, but with 2 sometimes united or 2-parted bracteoles. Stamens 3-5. Leaves glabrous, mealy or cottony, usually hastate. [Tribe ATRIPLICEAE.] 17

Flowers hermaphrodite, sometimes intermixed with similar unisexual ones, all with 4-5 perianth-segments. 19

17. Bracteoles small, narrow, free, unchanged in the fruiting stage, not enclosing the fruit. Flowers monoecious. Stamens 5. Shrubs.--Species 2. South Africa and St. Helena. =Exomis= Fenzl

Bracteoles large, broad, usually united and hardening, completely enclosing the fruit. 18

18. Bracteoles united nearly to the top, hardened in the fruit and sometimes prolonged into 2-4 prickles. Flowers dioecious. Stigmas 4-5. Stem and leaves glabrous. Herbs.--Species 1 (_S. oleracea_ L., spinach). Cultivated in the extra-tropical regions. It serves as a vegetable; the seeds are sometimes used for making bread. =Spinacia= L.

Bracteoles free and herbaceous, or more or less united, but not nearly to the top, and at length hardened. Stigmas 2-3. Stem and leaves clothed, when young, with bladdery hairs, afterwards mostly with a close minute whitish pubescence.--Species 20. Some are used as vegetables, for making soda, in medicine, or as ornamental plants. “Orache.” (Including _Obione_ Gaertn.) =Atripex= L.

19. Ovary half-inferior. Perianth-segments connivent in the fruit. Fruit dehiscing by a lid. Herbs with a fleshy taproot. Bracteoles usually present.--Species 3. North Africa and Cape Verde Islands; one of them (_B. vulgaris_ L., beet) also cultivated in South Africa and Madagascar. The latter species yields sugar, vegetables, fodder, and a substitute for coffee and tobacco. [Tribe BETEAE.] =Beta= L.

Ovary superior. Fruit indehiscent, rarely dehiscing by a lid, but then perianth-segments spreading in the fruit. 20

20. Flowers with bracteoles, solitary. Perianth membranous, unchanged in the fruit; segments erect. Stigmas 2. Ovule on a long funicle. Pericarp membranous. Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves subulate, rigid, pungent.--Species 1. North-West Africa (Algeria). [Tribe POLYCNEMEAE.] =Polycnemum= L.

Flowers without bracteoles. 21

21. Perianth 4-5-lobed, membranous. Leaves narrow, clothed with thin hairs. [Tribe CAMPHOROSMEAE.] 22

Perianth 5-parted, rarely 4-parted or 5-lobed, more or less herbaceous. Leaves usually broad and clothed with bladdery hairs. 25

22. Perianth unequally 4-toothed, scarcely changed in the fruit. Stamens 4. Seed erect. Embryo horseshoe-shaped. Flowers in spikes. Undershrubs.--Species 1. North Africa. Used medicinally. =Camphorosma= L.

Perianth 5-toothed, 5-lobed, or 5-cleft. Stamens 5. Seed nearly always horizontal. Embryo ring-shaped. Flowers solitary or in clusters, in the axils of the leaves. 23

23. Fruiting perianth unchanged and unappendaged. Undershrubs.--Species 3. North and South Africa. =Chenolea= Thunb.

Fruiting perianth winged, gibbous, or prickly. 24

24. Fruiting perianth gibbous or prickly.--Species 2. North Africa. (_Echinopsilon_ Moq., under _Chenolea_ Thunb. or _Kochia_ Roth). =Bassia= All.

Fruiting perianth with one or several wings.--Species 3. South Africa to Hereroland and North Africa to Nubia. =Kochia= Roth

25. Fruit not enclosed in the perianth, dehiscing with a lid. Perianth-segments spreading, linear-oblong. Stamens 5, much shorter than the perianth. Stigmas 2, short. Leaves elliptical or lanceolate, entire, glabrous. Undershrubs.--Species 1. North-West Africa (Algeria). =Oreobliton= Durieu & Moq.

Fruit wholly or partly enclosed in the perianth, indehiscent. Leaves usually broad, toothed, and mealy or glandular-hairy.--Species 25. Some of them yield edible seeds, dyes, and medicaments, or are used as vegetables or ornamental plants; several are poisonous. “Goosefoot.” (Including _Blitum_ L. and _Roubieva_ Moq.) [Tribe CHENOPODIEAE.] =Chenopodium= L.

FAMILY 68. AMARANTACEAE

Leaves without stipules. Perianth more or less dry, simple, of 1-5 imbricate segments. Stamens as many as and opposite the perianth-segments or fewer. Anthers attached by the back, opening inwards by two longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Ovules erect or suspended from a basal funicle, curved. Fruit dehiscing by a lid or indehiscent. Embryo surrounding the mealy albumen.--Genera 32, species 200. (Plate 41.)

1. Anthers 1-celled. Ovule 1. Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves opposite. Inflorescences head-or shortly spike-shaped. [Subfamily =GOMPHRENCIDEAE=, tribe GOMPHRENEAE.] 2

Anthers 2-celled. [Subfamily =AMARANTOIDEAE=.] 4

2. Stigma 1, capitate. Fertile stamens alternating with staminodes.--Species 7. Some are used as ornamental plants, others are noxious weeds. (Including _Telanthera_ R. Br.) [Subtribe FROEHLICHINAE.] =Alternanthera= Forsk.

Stigmas 2-4, subulate. [Subtribe GOMPHRENINAE.] 3

3. Filaments entire.--Species 1. Central Africa. (_Philoxerus_ R. Br.) =Iresine= L.

Filaments fringed, toothed, or 3-parted.--Species 1. Tropical and South East Africa. A weed, sometimes used as an ornamental plant. =Gomphrena= L.

4. Ovule 1. [Tribe AMARANTEAE.] 5

Ovules 2 or more, very rarely ovule 1, erect; in this case filaments united below into a membranous tube and flowers hermaphrodite. [Tribe CELOSIEAE.] 32

5. Ovule erect. Radicle of the embryo descending. Filaments free or united in a ring at the base. Flowers unisexual, polygamous, or hermaphrodite but intermixed with sterile ones. Leaves alternate. [Subtribe AMARANTINAE.] 6

Ovule pendulous. Radicle of the embryo ascending. [Subtribe ACHYRANTHINAE.] 9

6. Perianth spreading. Filaments united at the base. Stigmas 3. Fruit a berry. Shrubs. Flowers polygamous, in spikes or racemes.--Species 1. Canary Islands. =Bosia= L.

Perianth erect. Herbs or undershrubs. 7

7. Flowers unisexual or polygamous; no sterile ones. Filaments free.--Species 20. Some of them have edible seeds or are used as vegetables, in medicine or as ornamental plants. (Including _Albersia_ Kunth, _Amblogyna_ Rafin., and _Euxolus_ Rafin.) =Amarantus= L.

Flowers hermaphrodite. Partial inflorescences consisting of one fertile and two sterile flowers. 8

8. Sterile flowers comb-shaped. Filaments free. Style short; stigma 2-lobed.--Species 1. Tropical and North Africa. Used as a vegetable. =Digera= Forsk.

Sterile flowers wing-shaped. Filaments united at the base. Style long; stigmas 2.--Species 1. Northern East Africa (Somaliland). =Pleuropterantha= Franch.

9. Flowers solitary in the axil of each bract. 10

Flowers in clusters of two or more; usually some of them sterile. 20

10. Spurious staminodes (sterile processes) interposed between the fertile stamens. 11

Spurious staminodes wanting. 18

11. Perianth densely covered with silky or woolly hairs. 12

Perianth glabrous or scantily hairy. 15

12. Perianth-segments firmly leathery, silky-hairy, 3-nerved. Shrubs. Leaves alternate, fleshy.--Species 1. South Africa to Damaraland. (Under _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Calicorema= Hook. fil.

Perianth-segments more or less membranous. 13

13. Branches jointed. Leaves very small, opposite, ovate, acuminate. Undershrubs.--Species 1. Southern West Africa (Hereroland). =Arthraerua= Schinz

Branches continuous. 14

14. Perianth-segments silky, more or less thickened and hardened at the base, 1-nerved. Flowers small. Ovary hairy. Stigma capitate.--Species 8. Southern and Central Africa. =Sericocoma= Fenzl

Perianth-segments woolly, not thickened. Flowers very small, in dense spikes.--Species 10. Some are used as vegetables or as ornamental plants. (_Ouret_ Adans.) =Aerva= Forsk.

15. Spurious staminodes minute, narrow, acute, unappendaged. Perianth-segments brownish-red, stiff-leathery, large, oblong, 3-nerved. Inflorescence head-like, ovoid. Leaves usually alternate. Undershrubs.--Species 1. Southern West Africa (Angola and Congo). =Mechowia= Schinz

Spurious staminodes more or less quadrate, fringed or appendaged. Leaves opposite. 16

16. Spurious staminodes fringed below the top. Perianth-segments erect, oblong, blunt, thickened below. Flowers erect, spicate. Leaves small, sessile, linear-oblong. Herbs.--Species 1. Southern East Africa. (Under _Pandiaka_ Hook. fil.) =Argyrostachys= Lopr.

Spurious staminodes fringed at the top or prolonged into appendages. Perianth-segments pointed. Flowers usually bent downwards. 17

17. Perianth-segments red or yellow, elliptical, hardened at the base, faintly 1-5-nerved. Shrubs or undershrubs.--Species 7. Central Africa to Transvaal. =Centema= Hook. fil.

Perianth-segments white, green or brown, lanceolate, stiff-leathery, usually 3-ribbed.--Species 30. Some of them yield a substitute for soap or are used in medicine. (Including _Achyropsis_ Moq. and _Pandiaka_ Moq.) (Plate 41.) =Achyranthes= L.

18. (10.) Stamens 1-2. Perianth-segments 3-5, membranous, woolly, 1-nerved. Herbs.--Species 1. Tropics. =Nothosaerua= Wight

Stamens 4-5. 19

19. Outer perianth-segments densely clothed with silky hairs, faintly 3-nerved. Style slender. Shrubs.--Species 2. Northern East Africa (Somaliland). =Chionothrix= Hook. fil.

Outer perianth-segments glabrous or scantily hairy, with 3 strong ribs. Flowers greenish.--Species 15. Central and South East Africa. (Including _Psilostachys_ Hochst.) =Psilotrichum= Blume

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 41._

J. Fleischmann del.

Achyranthes angustifolia Benth.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Branch of the inflorescence. _C_ Flower cut lengthwise.]

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 42._

J. Fleischmann del.

Pisonia aculeata L.

_A_ Branch with inflorescences. _B_ Male flower. _C_ Female flower. _D_ Female flower cut lengthwise. _E_ Fruit. _F_ Fruit cut lengthwise. _G_ Group of fruits.]

20. (9.) Spurious staminodes interposed between the stamens. 21

Spurious staminodes none. 26

21. Spurious staminodes small, entire. Ovary hairy. Either perianth clothed with long silky hairs or leaves alternate. 22

Spurious staminodes usually quadrate and fringed, more rarely narrow, but then perianth not clothed with long silky hairs and leaves (as nearly always) opposite. 23

22. Ovary with a horn-like appendage.--Species 6. South and Central Africa. (Under _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Cyphocarpa= Lopr.

Ovary without a horn. (See 14.) =Sericocoma= Fenzl

23. Partial inflorescences consisting of 3 fertile flowers without sterile ones. Perianth hairy. Erect shrubs.--Species 4. South and Central Africa. (Under _Sericocoma_ Fenzl or _Cyphocarpa_ Lopr.) =Sericocomopsis= Schinz

Partial inflorescences consisting of fertile and sterile flowers, or of 2 fertile ones only. 24

24. Stem woody, climbing. Leaves ovate. Sterile flowers reduced to long tufts of hairs. Perianth glabrous. Spurious staminodes narrow, entire or toothed.--Species 2. Equatorial regions (Uganda and Cameroons). =Sericostachys= Gilg & Lopr.

Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only, erect or ascending. Sterile flowers usually reduced to spines. Spurious staminodes usually broad and fringed. 25

25. Perianth-segments thickened and hardening at the base, yellow or red. (See 17.) =Centema= Hook. fil.

Perianth-segments not hardening.--Species 15. Tropical and South Africa. Some are used in medicine. (_Desmochaeta_ DC.) =Cyathula= Lour.

26. (20.) Partial inflorescences consisting of 2 fertile flowers without sterile ones, and arranged in globose heads. Perianth white, with silky hairs. Ovary hairy. Shrubs.--Species 1. German South-West Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill., _Sericocomopsis_ Schinz, or _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Leucosphaera= Gilg

Partial inflorescences consisting of fertile and sterile flowers, the latter sometimes reduced to bristles or spines. 27

27. Perianth-segments thickened and hardened at the base, yellow or red. Ovary glabrous. (See 17.) =Centema= Hook. fil.

Perianth-segments not hardening. 28

28. Sterile flowers consisting of hooked spines.--Species 6. Tropical and South Africa. =Pupalia= Juss.

Sterile flowers consisting of not hooked spines, bristles, or hairs. 29

29. Partial inflorescences consisting of 2 fertile and 2 sterile flowers, the latter reduced to bristles or spines. Ovary hairy. Herbs or undershrubs.--Species 10. Southern West Africa to Namaland. (Under _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Marcellia= Baill.

Partial inflorescences consisting of 1-3 fertile and 4-6 sterile flowers. Ovary glabrous. 30

30. Partial inflorescences consisting of 1-3 fertile and 4-6 sterile flowers, the latter reduced to branched spines. Collective inflorescence interrupted below. Style very short. Herbs.--Species 2. South Africa and German South-West Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill. or _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Sericorema= Lopr.

Partial inflorescences consisting of 3 fertile and 6 sterile flowers, the latter reduced to long simple spines or bristles. Style thread-shaped. 31

31. Sterile flowers elongating in the fruit into yellow spines. Herbs.--Species 1. German East Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill.) =Kentrosphaera= Volk.

Sterile flowers elongating in the fruit into yellow or brown, rather soft bristles. Shrubs.--Species 3. East Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill.) =Dasysphaera= Volk.

32. (4.) Perianth-segments spreading. Style short, with 2-4 stigmas. Fruit succulent, baccate. Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves ovate.--Species 1. Tropics. =Deeringia= R. Br.

Perianth-segments erect. Fruit dry. 33

33. Fruit opening lengthwise. Style very short, with 2-3 stigmas. Filaments united at the base only. Leaves narrow. Shrubs.--Species 1. Madagascar. =Henonia= Moq.

Fruit opening by a lid. Herbs or undershrubs. 34

34. Spurious staminodes longer than the stamens, 2-lobed. Style short. Leaves narrow.--Species 10. South Africa and southern Central Africa. =Hermbstaedtia= Reichb.

Spurious staminodes shorter than the stamens or wanting.--Species 30. Tropical and South Africa. Some are used as vegetables or as textile, ornamental, medicinal, or fodder-plants. (Including Lestiboudesia Thou.) =Celosia= L.

SUBORDER PHYTOLACCINEAE

FAMILY 69. NYCTAGINACEAE

Leaves entire, toothed, or lobed. Flowers regular. Perianth simple, but often surrounded by a calyx-like involucre, 3-6-lobed, valvate or folded in the bud, persistent. Stamens with the filaments united below; connective narrow; anthers opening laterally. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Ovule 1, erect, inverted. Style 1, lateral. Fruit a nut, enclosed by the enlarged and hardened perianth. Seed albuminous.--Genera 5, species 30. (Plate 42.)

1. Seed with a straight embryo. Shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite. Flowers in corymbs, inconspicuous. Involucre consisting of 2-3 small bracts. Perianth tubular or campanulate, 4-5-toothed. Stamens 5-15.--Species 6. Tropical and South-east Africa. (Plate 42.) [Tribe PISONIEAE.] =Pisonia= Plum.

Seed with a curved embryo. Herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrubs or trees, but then leaves alternate or fascicled and flowers in fascicles. Stamens 1-10. [Tribe MIRABILEAE.] 2

2. Stem woody, spinous. Leaves alternate or fascicled. Flowers in fascicles. Stamens 5-10, unequal. Ovary oblong. [Subtribe BOUGAINVILLEINAE.] 3

Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only, not spinous. Leaves opposite. Flowers hermaphrodite. Ovary ovoid or globose. [Subtribe BOERHAVIINAE.] 4

3. Clusters of flowers surrounded by an involucre of 3 large, coloured bracts. Fruit not winged. Leaves scattered.--Species 1. Naturalized in the tropics. Ornamental plant. =Bougainvillea= Commers.

Clusters of flowers without an involucre. Fruit winged. Leaves fascicled.--Species 2. South Africa, southern West Africa, and Madagascar. (Including _Amphoranthus_ S. Moore). =Phaeoptilon= Radlk.

4. Flowers large, surrounded by a calyx-like, 4-5-cleft involucre.--Species 1 (_M. Jalapa_ L., marvel of Peru). Naturalized in various regions. An ornamental and medicinal plant. =Mirabilis= L.

Flowers surrounded singly or in clusters by some early deciduous bracts.--Species 20. Some of them are used as vegetables or in medicine. =Boerhavia= L.

FAMILY 70. CYNOCRAMBACEAE

Herbs. Leaves undivided, stipulate, the lower opposite, the upper alternate. Flowers monoecious, the male in groups of 2-4 opposite the leaves, the female in axillary clusters of 3. Perianth of the male flowers 2-3-parted, valvate in bud, of the female tubular, 2-4-toothed. Stamens 10-30, free; anthers linear. Ovary inferior, 1-celled. Ovule 1, basal, curved, with the micropyle turned downwards. Style simple, basal. Fruit a drupe. Seed with a curved embryo and cartilaginous albumen. (_THELIGONACEAE_, under _CHENOPODIACEAE_ or _URTICACEAE_.)

Genus 1, species 1. North Africa. (_Theligonum_ L.) =Cynocrambe= Gaertn.

FAMILY 71. PHYTOLACCACEAE

Leaves alternate, entire, without stipules. Flowers in racemes or spikes, bracteolate. Perianth 4-5-parted, herbaceous or membranous, coloured, imbricate in bud, persistent in fruit. Stamens 3-33, hypogynous. Filaments free or united at the base. Anthers affixed at the back, opening by two longitudinal slits. Carpels superior. Ovules solitary in each ovary-cell or in each distinct carpel, basal, curved; micropyle turned downwards and outwards. Seed with an annular embryo surrounding the albumen.--Genera 5, species 15.

1. Style 1, undivided. Ovary 1-celled. Stamens 4. Anthers linear. Perianth 4-parted. Flowers in racemes. Leaves elliptical. Undershrubs. [Tribe RIVINEAE.] 2

Styles 2 or more, free or nearly so. Perianth neatly always 5-parted. 3

2. Flowers irregular. Fruit nearly dry. Species 1. Tropics. Used medicinally. (_Mohlana_ Mart.) =Hilleria= Vell.

Flowers regular. Fruit succulent. Species 1. Naturalized in the tropics. Used as an ornamental and a dye-plant. =Rivina= Plum.

3. Ovary solitary, 1-celled. Stamens 3-5. Anthers ovate or globose. Flowers in spikes. Leaves linear.--Species 4. South Africa and southern West Africa. (Including _Lophiocarpus_ Turcz. and _Wallinia_ Moq.) =Microtea= Swartz

Ovary solitary, 2-16-celled, or several separate ovaries. Stamens 6-33. Leaves lanceolate, elliptical, or ovate. [Tribe PHYTOLACCEAE.] 4

4. Carpels 2. Stamens numerous. Fruit dry, capsular. Climbing shrubs.--Species 1. Madagascar. =Barbeuia= Thouars

Carpels 5-16. Fruit succulent, baccate.--Species 8, five of them spontaneous in tropical and South Africa, the others cultivated and sometimes naturalized in various regions. They yield vegetables, dyes (chiefly from _Ph. decandra_ L.), a substitute for soap, and medicaments; some are poisonous. “Poke.” (Including _Pircunia_ Moq.) =Phytolacca= L.

FAMILY 72. AIZOACEAE

Herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrubs. Leaves entire, toothed, or lobed. Flowers regular. Perianth usually simple. Stamens 3 or more. Ovary usually several-celled. Ovules curved or inverted. Fruit dry. Seeds with a curved embryo and a usually mealy albumen.--Genera 20, species 480. (_FICOIDEAE_ or _MESEMBRIACEAE_). (Plate 43.)

1. Perianth divided to the base or nearly so, free from the ovary. [Subfamily =MOLLUGINOIDEAE=.] 2

Perianth with a distinct tube sometimes adnate to the ovary, simple. [Subfamily =FICOIDEAE=.] 11

2. Ovary solitary, 1-celled. Ovule 1, suspended from a basal funicle. Style 1. Stamens 5. Perianth simple. Flowers in panicles. Leaves whorled.--Species 7. South Africa. =Adenogramma= Reichb.

Ovary solitary but 2-or more-celled, or several separate ovaries. 3

3. Ovary 2-celled. Style 2-cleft. Inflorescence cymose. [Tribe LIMEAE.] 4

Ovary 3-7-celled, or 3-5 separate ovaries. 5

4. Perianth of 4 thin-membranous, fringed segments, surrounded by bracts. Stamens 4, much exceeding the perianth. Fruit capsular. Flowers in false spikes. Leaves stipulate.--Species 1. South Africa. =Polpoda= Presl

Perianth of 5 herbaceous entire segments, to which 3-5 petals are sometimes added. Stamens 5-10, not or scarcely exceeding the perianth. Fruit separating in two nutlets. Leaves exstipulate.--Species 15. South and Central Africa. (Including _Semonvillea_ Gay). =Limeum= L.

5. Carpels separate. Ovules solitary. Perianth simple. Flowers in cymes. Leaves opposite.--Species 5. Some of them are used as vegetables or in medicine. =Giesekia= L.

Carpels united in the ovarial portion. 6

6. Ovary-cells one-ovuled. Stamens 5. Perianth simple. Flowers in panicles.--Species 5. South Africa and southern West Africa. =Psammatropha= Eckl. & Zeyh.

Ovary-cells several-or many-ovuled. 7

7. Petals or petaloid staminodes numerous, united at the base. Stamens numerous. Flowers conspicuous. Leaves exstipulate, fleshy.--Species 1 =Orygia= Forsk.

Petals none, but the stamens sometimes intermixed with staminodes. Leaves stipulate. 8

8. Styles linear or slightly club-shaped. Stipules membranous, entire. 9

Styles obovate or wedge-shaped. Stipules fringed or sheath-like. 10

9. Ovules with a long funicle. Seeds crowned by an appendage of the funicle. Pericarp firm.--Species 3. Used in medicine. =Glinus= L.

Ovules with a short funicle. Seeds without an appendage of the funicle. Pericarp thin. Stamens 3-10. Glabrous herbs with narrow leaves.--Species 10. Tropical and South Africa. Some species are used in medicine. =Mollugo= L.

10. Disc cup-shaped, lobed or divided. Stamens 3-5. Stipules fringed.--Species 17. South Africa, Madagascar, St. Helena. =Pharnaceum= L.

Disc none. Stipules sheath-like. Leaves thread-shaped.--Species 4. South Africa. =Hyperstelis= E. Mey.

11. (1.) Ovary superior. Petals none. 12

Ovary inferior. [Tribe MESEMBRIANTHEMEAE.] 18

12. Fruit transversely dehiscent, circumscissile. Leaves opposite. [Tribe SESUVIEAE.] 13

Fruit longitudinally dehiscent, loculicidal or septicidal. [Tribe AIZOEAE.] 14

13. Ovary 1-2-celled. Ovules solitary or few, basal or subbasal. Pericarp thick in the upper part. Seed-coat wrinkled.--Species 10. Some of them are used as vegetables or in medicine. (Plate 43.) =Trianthema= L.

Ovary 3-5-rarely 2-celled. Ovules numerous, axile. Pericarp thin. Seed-coat smooth. Flowers red.--Species 6. Tropical and South Africa. Some of them have edible seeds, or serve as vegetables. (Including _Diplochonium_ Fenzl and _Halimus_ Rumph.) =Sesuvium= L.

14. Stamens 4-5. Ovary-cells and styles 3. 15

Stamens 8 or more. 16

15. Ovary-cells 1-ovuled. Filaments long. Fruit roundish. Shrubs with silky hairs. Leaves all cauline, opposite or alternate, imbricate, triangular-ovate, without stipules. Flowers axillary, yellowish.--Species 1. South Africa (Cape Colony). =Plinthus= Fenzl

Ovary-cells several-ovuled. Filaments short. Fruit linear-oblong. Glabrous herbs. Radical leaves lanceolate to ovate, with fringed stipules; cauline leaves whorled, filiform. Flowers in cymes, whitish-green.--Species 2. South Africa. =Coelanthum= E. Mey.

16. Stamens numerous. Ovary 4-5-celled. Styles 4-5. Ovules 2 or more in each cell. Flowers yellow.--Species 12. Some of them have edible seeds. =Aizoon= L.

Stamens 8-10, rarely more, but then ovary 2-celled and styles 2. Ovules 1 or 2 in each cell. 17

17. Stamens 10 or more. Ovary 2-celled. Styles 2. Ovules basal. Stem glabrous.--Species 4. South Africa. =Acrosanthes= Eckl. & Zeyh.

Stamens 8, rarely 10, but then ovary 3-5-celled, styles 3-5, and stem hairy or warty. Ovules pendulous, 1 in each cell.--Species 20. South Africa to Angola. =Galenia= L.

18. (11.) Petals (or petaloid staminodes) numerous. Stamens numerous. Ovary 4-20-celled, with many basal or parietal ovules. Fruit a capsule.--Species 330. Some of them have edible fruits or seeds or serve as vegetables, as ornamental or medicinal plants, or for making soda. =Mesembrianthemum= L.

Petals (or petaloid staminodes) none. Ovary 2-8-celled with one pendulous ovule in each cell, or ovary 1-celled. Fruit a nut or drupe. Leaves alternate. 19

19. Ovary 1-celled. Styles 4, two of them shorter than the others and without a stigma.--Species 1. South-west Africa (Namaland). =Anisostigma= Schinz

Ovary 2-8-, very rarely 1-celled. Styles as many as ovary-cells.--Species 35. Southern and Central Africa. One species (_T. expansa_ Murr., New Zealand spinach) is cultivated as a vegetable in various regions. =Tetragonia= L.

SUBORDER PORTULACINEAE

FAMILY 73. PORTULACACEAE

Herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrubs. Flowers regular or nearly so, hermaphrodite. Sepals 2, free or united at the base, imbricate in the bud. Petals 4-6, free or united at the base, falling off very early. Stamens as many as and opposite the petals, or fewer, or more numerous. Ovary usually superior and 1-celled. Ovules basal or affixed to a free central placenta, curved, the micropyle lateral or inferior. Style 2-8-cleft or parted, rarely (_Portulaca_) undivided. Fruit a capsule or a nut. Seeds albuminous; embryo more or less curved.--Genera 6, species 35. (Plate 44.)

1. Ovary inferior or half-inferior. Ovules numerous. Fruit dehiscing by a lid.--Species 12. Some are used as vegetables, fodder-, medicinal, or ornamental plants. “Purslane.” [Tribe PORTULACEAE.] =Portulaca= L.

Ovary superior. Fruit dehiscing by valves or indehiscent. [Tribe CALANDRINIEAE.] 2

2. Ovary 2-celled with 2 ovules in each cell. Style-branches 2. Stamens numerous. Shrubs.--Species 2. Madagascar. =Talinella= Baill.

Ovary 1-celled with 1, 3, or many ovules. Style-branches 3. 3

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 43._

J. Fleischmann del.

Trianthema pentandrum L.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Flower. _C_ Flower cut lengthwise. _D_ Mericarp cut lengthwise.]

_FLOW. PL. AFR._

_Pl. 44._

J. Fleischmann del.

Talinum cuneifolium Willd.

_A_ Flowering branch. _B_ Flower cut lengthwise. _C_ Fruit. _D_ Seed.]

3. Ovule 1. Stamens 4-7. Petals reddish. Fruit indehiscent. Shrubs.--Species 3. South Africa. Used as ornamental or fodder-plants. =Portulacaria= Jacq.

Ovules 3 or more. Stamens 3 or 8-30. Fruit 3-valved. Herbs or undershrubs. 4

4. Ovules 3. Stamens 3. Corolla 5-cleft, slightly irregular, white. Calyx persistent.--Species 1. North Africa and subantarctic islands. Used as a vegetable. =Montia= L.

Ovules numerous. Stamens 8-30. Corolla of 5 free or almost free petals, regular. Calyx deciduous. 5

5. Stipules present, but sometimes reduced to a tuft of hairs. Embryo slightly curved.--Species 15. South Africa. Some are used as ornamental plants. =Anacampseros= L.

Stipules absent. Embryo ring-shaped. Funicle of the seed with an appendage.--Species 4. Central and South Africa. Used as vegetables. (Plate 44.) =Talinum= Adans.

FAMILY 74. BASELLACEAE

Glabrous, twining herbs. Leaves alternate, broad, entire. Flowers in spikes, racemes or panicles, regular, hermaphrodite. Sepals 2, adnate to the corolla at the base. Corolla 5-cleft or 5-parted, imbricate in the bud, persistent. Stamens 5, opposite the corolla-lobes and affixed to them at the base. Filaments straight or bent outwards in the bud. Anthers 2-celled, turned outwards. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Ovule 1, basal, curved; micropyle inferior. Style 3-partite. Fruit indehiscent. Seed albuminous; embryo curved or spirally twisted.--Genera 2, species 4, Tropics. (Under _CHENOPODIACEAE_ or _PORTULACACEAE._)

Flowers sessile, in spikes or panicles. Filaments broadened below. Stigmas entire. Pericarp membranous. Seed subglobose. Embryo spiral.--Species 3, two spontaneous in East Africa and Madagascar, the third cultivated in various tropical countries. They are used as vegetables, in medicine, and as dye-plants. =Basella= L.

Flowers short-stalked, in racemes. Filaments thread-shaped. Stigmas forked. Pericarp somewhat fleshy. Seed sublenticular. Embryo semicircular.--Species 1. Cultivated in various regions and naturalized in the Mascarene Islands. Used as a vegetable or an ornamental plant. =Boussaingaultia= H. B. & K.

SUBORDER CARYOPHYLLINEAE

FAMILY 75. CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrubs. Leaves undivided. Perianth usually separated into calyx and corolla. Stamens 1-10. Ovary 1-celled or incompletely 2-5-celled, superior, rarely (_Sclerocephalus_) half-inferior. Ovules on basal or central placentas, with a distinct funicle, curved or inverted. Seeds albuminous; embryo usually curved.--Genera 45, species 280. (Including _PARONYCHIEAE_ or _ILLECEBRACEAE_, _ALSINACEAE_, and _SILENACEAE_.) (Plate 45.)

1. Sepals free or united up to the insertion of the stamens. Petals not distinctly clawed, sometimes wanting. Receptacle concave or small and rather flat. [Subfamily =ALSINOIDEAE=.] 2

Sepals united beyond the insertion of the stamens. Petals present, usually clawed. Receptacle stalk-like or small and flat. Styles free. [Subfamily =SILENOIDEAE=.] 35

2. Fruit indehiscent or irregularly bursting at the base, rarely at the top. Ovule 1, rarely ovules 2, and then sepals 5. Petals usually scale-like or wanting. Leaves stipulate, rarely exstipulate; in the latter case styles 2. 3

Fruit opening from the top by teeth or valves. Ovules numerous, rarely 2, and then sepals 4, very rarely ovule 1; in this case leaves exstipulate and styles 3. Petals usually perfectly developed. 16

3. Flowers in clusters of 3, the middle one hermaphrodite, the side flowers male or rudimentary. Stamens nearly hypogynous. Style 1. Ovule one. Embryo almost straight. Leaves opposite, stipulate. [Tribe PTERANTHEAE.] 4

Flowers all alike. Stamens perigynous. 6

4. Stamens 2-3. Staminodes and petals absent. Sepals 5. Stigmas 3. Clusters of flowers on a rather thin stalk, with entire involucral bracts. Shrubs.--Species 1. Canary Islands. =Dicheranthus= Webb

Stamens 4-5. Clusters of flowers with pinnately divided involucral bracts. Herbs. 5

5. Sepals 4. Petals and staminodes none. Stamens 4. Stigmas 2. Clusters of flowers on a much broadened and hollow stalk.--Species 1. North Africa. =Pteranthus= Forsk.

Sepals 5. Petals or staminodes 5. Stamens 5. Stigmas 3. Clusters of flowers on a rather thin stalk.--Species 1. Northern East Africa to Egypt. =Cometes= L.

6. Leaves exstipulate. Petals none. Styles 2. Ovule 1. Herbs. Leaves opposite.--Species 3. North Africa, Abyssinia, and South Africa. [Tribe SCLERANTHEAE.] =Scleranthus= L.

Leaves stipulate. [Tribe PARONYCHIEAE.] 7

7. Ovule 1. 8

Ovules 2. Undershrubs. 15

8. Style-branches, stigmas, or stigma-lobes 2, very rarely 1, and then style very short. 9

Style-branches, stigmas, or stigma-lobes 3, very rarely 1, but then style elongated. 13

9. Stem woody, shrubby, nodose. Bracts brown. Sepals mucronate. Petals 5, thread-shaped. Style elongated. Stigmas 2.--Species 1. Island of Socotra. =Lochia= Balf. fil.

Stem herbaceous, rarely woody at the base; in the latter case sepals obtuse. 10

10. Flowers in globose heads; involucre becoming prickly. Sepals prickly beneath the tip. Petals wanting. Ovary adnate below to the calyx-tube. Fruit bursting at the top.--Species 1. North Africa and Cape Verde Islands. =Sclerocephalus= Boiss.

Flowers in fascicles; involucre not prickly. Petals thread-shaped or wanting. Ovary free. 11

11. Sepals blunt, green. Style very short; stigmas 2. Embryo curved. Stipules small.--Species 10. North and South Africa, Abyssinia, Cape Verde Islands. Some are used in medicine. =Herniaria= L.

Sepals more or less hooded, with a dorsal point beneath the tip. 12

12. Seed with a straight embryo. Stigma 1, entire or 2-lobed, nearly sessile. Stamens 5. Petals thread-shaped. Sepals white. Leaves in false whorls; stipules very small.--Species 1. North-west Africa. Used in medicine. =Illecebrum= L.

Seed with a curved embryo. Stigma 1, two-lobed, or more frequently stigmas 2. Stipules large or rather large.--Species 15. North Africa and northern Central Africa. Some are used in medicine or yield a substitute for tea. =Paronychia= Juss.

13. Sepals awned. Petals awl-shaped. Style long, with 3 stigmas. Low shrubs with knotty branches. Leaves narrow.--Species 1. North Africa. =Gymnocarpos= Forsk.

Sepals blunt. Petals scale-like. Style long with 1 stigma, or short with 3 stigmas. Herbs. 14

14. Style long, with 1 stigma. Leaves whorled, obovate.--Species 1. Island of Socotra. =Haya= Balf. fil.

Style short, with 3 stigmas. Leaves opposite or alternate, narrow.--Species 3. North and South Africa and mountains of East Africa and Madagascar. =Corrigiola= L.

15. (7.) Petals 5. Stamens 5. Embryo curved. Leaves linear, fleshy.--Species 1. Nubia. =Sphaerocoma= Anders.

Petals none. Stamens 1-2. Embryo straight or almost so. Leaves lanceolate, flat.--Species 2. South and Central Africa. =Pollichia= Soland.

16. (2.) Styles united below. [Tribe POLYCARPEAE.] 17

Styles free from the base. 22

17. Sepals 4, concave, minutely toothed. Petals none. Stamens 3. Ovules few. Style short; stigmas 2. Flowers solitary, axillary, with two bracteoles. Leaves very small, densely crowded.--Species 1. Island of Kerguelen. =Lyallia= Hook.

Sepals 5. Stamens 3-5. Ovules numerous. Stigmas 3 or 1. 18

18. Petals none. Sepals keeled, entire. Stamens 3. Leaves linear. Stipules dark red at the base.--Species 1. North-west Africa (Algeria). =Ortegia= Loefl.

Petals 5. 19

19. Petals 2-parted.--Species 1. Tropical and South Africa. =Drymaria= Willd.

Petals entire, notched, or 2-toothed. 20

20. Sepals with a tooth on each side. Leaves awl-shaped. Stipules cut up into bristles.--Species 1. North Africa. =Loeflingia= L.

Sepals entire. 21

21. Sepals keeled. Style short, 3-cleft.--Species 6. Some are used medicinally. =Polycarpon= Loefl.

Sepals rounded on the back. Style long or rather long.--Species 25. Some are used medicinally. (_Polycarpia_ Webb, _Polia_ Lour., including _Robbairea_ Boiss.) (Plate 45.) =Polycarpaea= Lam.

22. (16.) Leaves with scarious stipules. Ovules numerous. [Tribe SPERGULEAE.] 23

Leaves without stipules. [Tribe ALSINEAE.] 25

23. Ovary incompletely 3-celled. Ovules basal. Styles 3. Stamens 5. Flowers white. Leaves oblong or ovate.--Species 5. North Africa and Madagascar. =Telephium= L.

Ovary completely 1-celled. Ovules central. Flowers in raceme-like cymes. Leaves linear or subulate. 24

24. Styles and fruit-valves 3.--Species 10. North and South Africa, Abyssinia. Some are used medicinally. (_Lepigonum_ Fries, _Tissa_ Adans.) =Spergularia= Pers.

Styles and fruit-valves 5.--Species 4. North Africa; also naturalized in Central and South Africa. Used as fodder. “Spurry.” =Spergula= L.

25. Ovule 1. Styles 3. Stamens 10. Petals none, but usually 5 thread-like scales opposite the sepals. Fruit 3-valved to the middle. Leaves subulate. Flowers in clusters consisting of fertile and sterile flowers.--Species 1. North Africa. =Queria= L.

Ovules 3 or more, rarely (_Buffonia_) 2. 26

26. Petals 2-parted, 2-cleft, or distinctly notched. Flowers solitary or in panicle-like cymes. 27

Petals entire, minutely toothed, obscurely notched, or wanting. 28

27. Fruit globose. Styles 2-3, rarely 4-5, alternating with the sepals.--Species 6. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some are used medicinally. “Stitchwort.” =Stellaria= L.

Fruit cylindrical. Styles 5, rarely 3-4, opposite the sepals.--Species 20. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the tropics. Some are used medicinally. =Cerastium= L.

28. Petals minutely toothed. Styles 3. Ovules numerous. Fruit cylindrical. Seeds peltate, compressed dorsally. Flowers in umbel-like cymes.--Species 1. North Africa. =Holosteum= L.

Petals entire, slightly notched, or wanting. 29

29. Styles as many as the sepals, 4-5. 30

Styles fewer than the sepals, 2-4, very rarely 5. 32

30. Styles opposite the sepals. Stamens 8. Fruit opening at the top by 8 recurved teeth. Leaves lanceolate.--Species 1. North Africa. (Under _Cerastium_ L.) =Moenchia= Ehrh.

Styles alternating with the sepals. Stamens 4, 5, or 10. Fruit opening to the base in 4-5 valves. 31

31. Stamens as many as and alternating with the sepals. Petals none.--Species 2. Subantarctic islands. =Colobanthus= Bartl.

Stamens as many as and opposite the sepals, or twice as many. Leaves subulate.--Species 7. North Africa, high mountains of Central Africa and subantarctic islands. Some are used as ornamental plants. “Pearlwort.” =Sagina= L.

32. Styles 2. Ovules 2-4. Stamens 2-4. Sepals 4. Fruit opening to the base in 2 valves. Seeds 1-2. Leaves subulate.--Species 5. North-west Africa. =Buffonia= L.

Styles 3-5, rarely 2, but then (as usually) ovules more than 4. Sepals nearly always 5. 33

33. Valves of the fruit entire, as many as styles.--Species 8. North Africa and northern East Africa. (Including _Minuartia_ L., under _Arenaria_ L.) Alsine Wahlenb.

Valves of the fruit 2-toothed or 2-parted; in the latter case apparently twice as many as styles. 34

34. Seeds with an appendage at the hilum. Flowers white.--Species 2. North-west Africa. (Under _Arenaria_ L.) =Moehringia= L.

Seeds without an appendage. Stamens 10.--Species 10. North Africa and northern Central Africa. “Sandwort.” =Arenaria= L.

35. (1.) Calyx with an odd number of ribs. Petals usually with contorted aestivation. Styles or stigmas 2. [Tribe DIANTHEAE.] 36

Calyx with an even number of ribs. Petals usually with quincuncially-imbricate aestivation. Styles or stigmas 3-5. [Tribe LYCHNIDEAE.] 41