Fig. 601.—Phyteuma spicatum. Flowers and parts of flowers in various stages of development.
C. Berry: Canarina; flower, 6-merous; leaves opposite.
Protandry is general (Fig. [601]). 510 species; principally in temperate countries. Several genera furnish ornamental plants, but are of little use for other purposes. The roots of some Campanula-and Phyteuma-species are large and may serve as pot-herbs (C. rapunculus, P. spicatum).
Order 2. Cyphiaceæ. In this order the corolla is zygomorphic and the stamens free, hence it is intermediate between orders 1 and 3.—About 24 species; Africa.
Order 3. Lobeliaceæ (Lobelias). This order may briefly be described as Campanulaceæ with zygomorphic flowers and anthers united into a tube, in most cases slightly bent; generally 2 carpels and an inverted position of the flower, i.e. the median sepal is turned anteriorly (Fig. [602]) (a position which is found to occur within the Campanulaceæ). A twisting of the peduncle takes place even before flowering (as in the Orchids) so that the ordinary position of the 5-merous Dicotyledons appears to be restored. The zygomorphy of the flower is especially present in the corolla, which has a bipartite under-lip and a tripartite upper-lip, and is, in Lobelia, anteriorly (apparently posteriorly) deeply cleft (Fig. [602]). There is 1 style, but the stigma is capitate and bilobed and surrounded at its base by a whorl of hairs, which assists in pollination (as a stylar-brush) in the same manner as the sweeping-hairs in the Campanulaceæ and Compositæ. There is no terminal flower in the spicate, or racemose inflorescences.—Lobelia has a capsule, several others have berries. Isotoma (regular flower); Heterotoma has a spur; Siphocampylos; Lysipoma (pyxidium); Clintonia (1–locular fruit). Metzleria (all the petals are free).
Fig. 602.—Diagram of Lobelia fulgens.
Figs. 603, 604.—Lobelia syphilitica.
Fig. 603. Flower (2/1).