w The lateral staminodes, “wings;” st fertile stamen; * the suppressed stamen; lab labellum; c hood; wi inner-wing.
The labellum of the Cannaceæ corresponds with the hood of the Marantaceæ and not with the labellum of the Zingiberaceæ.
Fig. 317.—Calathea zebrina.
Order 4. Marantaceæ. The flower is asymmetrical. Only 1 or 2 of the 3 stamens in the outer whorl are present as staminodes; in the inner whorl 2 are petaloid and of the sixth stamen one-half is developed as a staminode and the other half bears a bilocular anther. One ovule only in each loculus. The style is strongly curved and at first enclosed in one of the staminodes (hood) of the inner whorl; later on it springs elastically forward towards the other staminode (inner-wing) of the same whorl. The stigma is very oblique or 2-lipped. Two of the three loculi of the ovary, in some (Maranta, Thalia) become small and empty. Embryo curved. Leaves in two rows, with sheath, stalk, and blade (Fig. [317]); at the base of the last is a characteristic swelling (articulus).—Phrynium, Calathea, Stromanthe, Ctenanthe, Saranthe, etc. About 150 species; tropical, especially America. The starch of the rhizome of Maranta arundinacea is OFFICINAL, “West Indian Arrowroot.”
Family 7. Gynandræ.
The flowers are hermaphrodite and constructed on the ordinary 3-merous, pentacyclic type with petaloid, epigynous, strongly zygomorphic perianth, and generally one-stamened by the suppression of the other 5 stamens. The family has derived its name from the fact that the stamen is united with the style into a “stylar column” (except Burmanniaceæ). All are herbs; many grow as epiphytes on other plants.
This family and the Scitamineæ occupy correspondingly high positions among the Monocotyledons; these two families may therefore be placed close together, although one cannot be derived from the other. The first of the two orders is very small, but the second is very rich in species. The Apostasieæ are best classed with the Orchidaceæ and have no independent place.
Order 1. Burmanniaceæ. This order forms a transitional link between the Gynandræ and the epigynous Liliifloræ (Amaryllidaceæ), in having a 6-leaved perianth, and 6–8 stamens; but some have a labiate perianth (the median perianth-leaf of the outer whorl being very large). The ovary is most frequently unilocular with three parietal placentæ; but in some it is 3-locular with axile placentation. Capsule. Seeds ∞, small, with endosperm. The relationship to the Orchidaceæ is shown especially in the very imperfectly developed embryo and in the ovary. Small, tropical herbs (59 species); some are saprophytes.
