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102b) Shrubs with small solitary or racemed flowers. Petals or
stamens 4 or 5.
Saxifrage Family, SAXIPRAGACEAE
Fig.414. Ribes graclle Pursh., Missouri Gooseberry.
103a) Anthers opening by pores at their tip. Leaves opposite with 3 to 9 nerves.
Meadow-beauty Family, MELASTOMACEAE
Fig.415. Rhexia virglnica L., Meadow-beauty.
This large family is pretty much confined to the tropics. Some of these tropical species may be found in hot-houses.
Gooseberries and Currants are western hemisphere plants. Our cultivated forms have been bred up from the native stock. The Golden Currant is an ornamental shrub.
103b) Anthers opening along their sides; stamens arising from the
calyx. Figs. 416 and 417
104a) Stamens 4 or 8; styles 1; base of calyx usually forming an elongated tube.
Evening-Primrose Family, ONAGRACEAE
Fig.416. Oenothera blennls L., Common Evening-Primrose.
If one wishes to see flowers open naturally, this family and the above species makes an excellent example. The whole process, once it has started, takes but a few minutes.
104b) Styles 2 to 5; stamens 8 to many.
Saxifrage Family, SAXIFRAGACEAE
Fig.417. Philadelphus cornarlus, Mock Orange.
This species can be told from the other Syringas by the fragrant odor of its flowers.
105a) Calyx arising below the ovary (or surrounding its base). (Ovary superior). Fig. 418a
105b) Calyx arising above the
ovary. (Ovary inferior). Fig.
418b
106a) Flowers of one or more kinds crowded in heads with one or more rings of bracts beneath; the 5 anthers united at their sides to fora a tube surrounding the style (when present).
Composite Family, COMPOSITAE
Fig.419. a) Taraxacum of-ficinale Weber, Common Dandelion; b) Ambrosia artemislaefolia L., Common Ragweed; c) Erlgeron caespitosus Nutt., Tufted Erlgeron; d) Llatrls cylindracea (Mlchx.), Cylinaric Blazing Star.
This great family is readily distinguished by the characters given in the key. Many favorite ornamentals belong to it such as Sunflowers, Asters, Daisies, Marigolds, Strawflowers, Zinnias, Dahlias and Chrysanthemums. The family also furnishes a few food plants, Artichoke, Vegetable Oyster and Chicory.
106b) Flowers not in dense-bracted (involucrate) heads. Figs.
420 to 426
107a) Herbaceous tendril-bearing vines. Fruit a pepo (pumpkin-like). Leaves palmately compound, lobed or veined.
Gourd Family, CUCURBITACEAE
Fig.420. Cucumis satlvis L., Cucumber.
The flowers of many of the species are very conspicuous yet they are but little used for ornament. Gourds are prized for their decorative fruit.
107b) Without tendrils. Figs. 421 to 426
108a) stamens united by their anthers; flowers irregular usually in racemes, never in an involucrate head.
Lobelia Family, LOBELIACEAE
Fig.421. Lobelia cardinalis L., Cardinal-flower.
This is likely the most decorative species of the family. It grows in damp places and is very showy with its brilliant red flowers.
108b) stamens not united. Figs. 422 to 426
109a) stamens arising from the walls of the corolla. Figs. 423
to 426
109b) Stamens not as in 109a; juice milky.
Blue-bell Family, CAMPANULACEAE
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