Cells of the ovary with about six winged ovules, the mature fruit I have not seen—v. s. s. ex. Herb. Griffith, No. 1104.
Tribe 2d.—Hypericeae.—This tribe is characterized by having petals unequal, or rarely,, nearly equal sided, (without pits or appendages at the base) and usually contorted in aestivation. Stamens either altogether free, or monadelphous, or 3-5 adelphous at the base. Hypogynous scales or glands, sometimes wanting. Pericarp (very rarely indehiscent) a septicidal capsule, or sometimes composed of three deciduous indehiscent cocci. (vel rare dieresilis[1] tricocca) Seeds terete, wingless, often somewhat curved : radicle terete, elongated, obtuse, never replicate; cotyledons somewhat foliaceous, very short.
This tribe is divided into five sections, the characters of each of which I shall introduce.
Section 1.—Drosanthineae.—Calyx, 5-cleft or parted. Petals equal, or nearly equal-sided, unguiculate, marcescent (withering in the flower without falling o-ff) twisted after expansion, (anthesis). Ovary 3-celled, 3-coccus, 3-styled. Ovules horizontal or ascending, definite or indefinite in number, (6-12 in each cell) the mature cells 1-3 seeded, at length deciduous, along with the central placenta. — To this section two genera belong, neither of which however, has yet been found in India, all the species hitherto discovered, being from Persia or Asia Minor.
Section 2.—Hyperineae.—Calyx, 5-parted or cleft, (very rarely, five distinct sepals in a double series). Petals marcescent, unequal sided, convolute, or contorted after anthesis (blowing). Stamens 3 adelphous, persistent. Ovary 3-celled, many ovuled, 3-styled. Capsules septicidal : central placenta undivided, and with the valves persistent.—Three genera are referred to this section, but only one of them so far as I know, has representatives in India. To this section belongs the greater part of the European species of the order.
Section 3.—Androscemineae.—Sepals 5, most frequently in a distinct double series, and very unequal. Petals withering or deciduous, unequal sided, after anthesis contorted, or the margins convolute. Stamens pentadelphous, (very rarely, 4-6 or 8 adelphous, or monadelphous, at the extreme base) withering, or deciduous. Ovary, 3-5 (rarely 6-8) celled, many ovuled. Styles equalling the number of the cells, often united towards the base, or even nearly to the apex. Capsules septicidal, very rarely baccate, or indehiscent—To this section seven genera belong, all separated from the old genus Hypericum, one of these is Norysca.
Section 4.—Brathydineae Sp.—Sepals 5, (very rarely 4) petals deciduous or withering, and after anthesis, involute from the apex to near the middle, unequal sided. Stamens either altogether free and deciduous, or monadelphous at the base and then withering. Ovary, one or 3-celled, 3 (rarely 2) styled, sometimes the styles altogether concreted as if one styled, ovules numerous. Capsules 2-3 valved.
This section includes four genera, one of which is Brathys.
Section 5.—Ascyrineae Sp.—Sepals 4, distinct in a double series, cruciate ; the two exterior large, (one above the other below), during flowering, and after anthesis valvate : two interior (lateral) very small (sometimes scarcely conspicuous) included. Petals 4, cruciate unequal, and unequal sided. Stamens persistent, somewhat monadelphous at the base, ovary 1-celled, 2-4 styled.
To this section only one genus Ascyrum is referred.
The following genera are known to exist in India, on which account I shall introduce Spach's generic characters.
Hypericum.—Section Hyperineae. Calyx 4-5 parted, sepals equal or unequal, after anthesis, erect, very rarely reflexed. Petals marcescent, scarcely unguiculate, spreading horizontally during flowering. Androphores bearing from 5 to 30 stamens. Ovules in each cell, in two
- ↑ I am uncertain about the exact meaning attached to this word, but presume the author wishes to express a fruit analogous to that of Geraniacece. That consists of a series of indehiscent carpels, which separata entire, with their seed inclosed at the period of maturity, leaving the central axis or gynobase to which they weie articulated in its place.
