Fig. 119.—Anisocarpous sympetalæ (Tubifloræ). A, inflorescence of hound’s-tongue, Cynoglossum (Borragineæ), × ½. B, section of a flower, × 2. C, nearly ripe fruit, × 1. D, flowering branch of nightshade, Solanum (Solaneæ), × ½. E, a single flower, × 1. F, section of the flower, × 2. G, young fruit, × 1. H, flower of Petunia (Solaneæ), × ½. I, diagram of the flower.
The third family (Hydrophyllaceæ) includes several species of water-leaf (Hydrophyllum) ([Fig. 118], E) and Phacelia, among our wild flowers, and species of Nemophila, Whitlavia and others from the western states, but now common in gardens.
The Borage family (Borragineæ) includes the forget-me-not (Myosotis) and a few pretty wild flowers, e.g. the orange-flowered puccoons (Lithospermum); but it also embraces a number of the most troublesome weeds, among which are the hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum) ([Fig. 119], A), and the “beggar’s-ticks” (Echinospermum), whose prickly fruits ([Fig. 119], C) become detached on the slightest provocation, and adhere to whatever they touch with great tenacity. The flowers in this family are arranged in one-sided inflorescences which are coiled up at first and straighten as the flowers expand.
The last family (Solaneæ) includes the nightshades (Solanum) ([Fig. 119], D), to which genus the potato (S. tuberosum) and the egg-plant (S. Melongena) also belong. Many of the family contain a poisonous principle, e.g. the deadly nightshade (Atropa), tobacco (Nicotiana), stramonium (Datura), and others. Of the cultivated plants, besides those already mentioned, the tomato (Lycopersicum), and various species of Petunia ([Fig. 119], H), Solanum, and Datura are the commonest.
The second order of the Anisocarpæ consists of plants whose flowers usually exhibit very marked, bilateral symmetry (Zygomorphism). From the flower often being two-lipped (see [Fig. 120]), the name of the order (Labiatifloræ) is derived.
Of the nine families constituting the order, all but one are represented within our limits, but the great majority belong to two families, the mints (Labiatæ) and the figworts (Scrophularineæ). The mints are very common and easily recognizable on account of their square stems, opposite leaves, strongly bilabiate flowers, and the ovary splitting into four seed-like fruits ([Fig. 120], D, F).
The great majority of them, too, have the surface covered with glandular hairs secreting a strong-scented volatile oil, giving the peculiar odor to these plants. The dead nettle (Lamium) ([Fig. 120], A) is a thoroughly typical example. The sage, mints, catnip, thyme, lavender, etc., will recall the peculiarities of the family.
The stamens are usually four in number through the abortion of one of them, but sometimes only two perfect stamens are present.
