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Fig.398. Staphylea trifolia L.. American Bladder-nut.
This is a small family with several species being raised for ornament. The inflated fruit never fails to attract attention.
89a) Herbaceous plants. Figs. 399 and 400
89b) Shrubs or trees. Figs. 401 and 402
90a) Sepals and petals 4; stamens 6 or less; fruit a silique or
silicle.
Mustard Family, CRUCIFERAE
Fig.399. a) Slsymbrlun) offlclnale L., Hedge Mustard: b) Cardamlne douglassii (Torr.), Purple Cress.
The cross-shaped, 4-petaled flowers are characteristic of this Important family as are also the seed pods.
90b) Sepals and petals 5.
St. John's-wort Family, HYPERICACEAE
Fig.400. Hypericum mutilum L., Dwarf St. John's-wort.
Most of the members of the family are characterized by their many stamens; this species is one of the exceptions.
91a) Petals 4, stamens fewer.
Olive Family
Fig.401. a) Ligustrim vulgare L., Privet; b) Chionanthus virginica L., Fringe-tree.
As the family name indicates, the Olive belongs here. Other important members of the family are Ash, furnishing excellent wood for tool-making and Lilac and Jasmine.
91b) With more stamens than petals.
Maple Family, ACERACEAE
Fig.402. Acer spleatum Lam., Mountain Maple.
The family boasts but two genera but many species of widely distributed trees and shrubs. Maples are important for ornament, their wood and their sugar.
92a) Herbaceous vines, bearing tendriIs.
Gourd Family, CUCURBITACEAE
Fig.403. Slcyos angulatus L., Star Cucumber.
This important family includes many food plants; Pumpkins, Squashes, Gourds, Watermelons, Muskmelon, Cucumbers, and some ornamental vines.
92b) Exotic, usually evergreen aromatic shrubs or trees; sepals and petals 4-5, stamens many, ovary 1 to many-celled.
Myrtle Family, MTRTACEAE
Fig.404. a) Eucalyptus sp.; b) Eugenia myrtlfolla Sims., Australian Brush-Cherry.
This important family belongs to Australia and the tropics. It yields valuable lumber oils, gums, cloves, alsplce and many other commercial products.
92c) Not as in 92a or 92b. Figs. 405 to 417
93a) But one seed or ovule in each cell of ovary. Figs. 405
to 410
93b) More than one seed or ovule in each cell of the ovary.
Figs. 411 to 417
94a) With 2, 4, or 8 stamens. Figs. 405 to 407
94b) With 5 or 10 stamns. Figs. 408 to 410
95a) Shrubs and trees with drupe-like fruit and single style and
stigma.
Dogwood Family, CORNACEAE
Fig.405. a) Cornus asperlfolla Michx., Rough-leaved Dog-wood; b) Nyssa blflora Walt., Swamp Black Gum.
The family consists mostly of shrubs and trees though an occasional herb figures in it. There are some 10 genera in all but Cornus is the most important.
95b) Herbs. Figs. 406 and 407
96a) Styles 4 (sometimes with 4 sessile stigmas).
Water-milfoil Family, HALORAGIDACEAE
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