Fig. 100.—Types of Aphanocyclæ (Polycarpæ). A, branch of papaw, Asimina (Anonaceæ), × ½. B, section of the flower, × 1. C, flower and leaf of tulip-tree, Liriodendron (Magnoliaceæ), × ⅓. D, section of a flower, × ½. E, a ripe fruit, × 1. F, diagram of the flower. G, flower of the sweet-scented shrub, Calycanthus (Calycanthaceæ), × ½
The barberry (Berberis) ([Fig. 101], A) is the type of the family Berberideæ, which also includes the curious mandrake or may-apple (Podophyllum) ([Fig. 101], D), and the twin-leaf or rheumatism-root (Jeffersonia), whose curious seed vessel is shown in [Figure 101], G. The fruit of the barberry and may-apple are edible, but the root of the latter is poisonous.
The curious woody twiner, moon-seed (Menispermum) ([Fig. 101], I), is the sole example in the northern states of the family Menispermeæ to which it belongs. The flowers are diœcious, and the pistillate flowers are succeeded by black fruits looking like grapes. The flattened, bony seed is curiously sculptured, and has the embryo curled up within it.
Fig. 101.—Types of Aphanocyclæ (Polycarpæ). A–H, Berberidaceæ. A, flower of barberry (Berberis), × 2. B, the same in section. C, a stamen, showing the method of opening, × 3. D, flower of may-apple (Podophyllum), × ½. E, section of the ovary of D, × 1. F, diagram of the flower. G, ripe fruit of twin-leaf (Jeffersonia), opening by a lid, × ½. H, section of seed, showing the embryo (em.), × 2. I, young leaf and cluster of male flowers of moon-seed, Menispermum (Menispermeæ), × 1. J, a single male flower, × 2. K, section of a female flower, × 2. L, ripe seed, × 1. M, section of L, showing the curved embryo.
The last two families of the order, the laurel family (Laurineæ) and the nutmeg family (Myristicineæ) are mostly tropical plants, characterized by the fragrance of the bark, leaves, and fruit. The former is represented by the sassafras and spice-bush, common throughout the eastern United States. The latter has no members within our borders, but is familiar to all through the common nutmeg, which is the seed of Myristica fragrans of the East Indies. “Mace” is the “aril” or covering of the seed of the same plant.
The second order of the Aphanocyclæ comprises a number of aquatic plants, mostly of large size, and is known as the Hydropeltidinæ. The flowers and leaves are usually very large, the latter usually nearly round in outline, and frequently with the stalk inserted near the middle. The leaves of the perigone are numerous, and sometimes merge gradually into the stamens, as we find in the common white water-lily (Castalia).