Sarcocolla squamosa (L.) Kunth
A Flowering branch. B Flower in longitudinal section and bracteole. C Anther. D Transverse section of ovary.
Perianth wheel-shaped, of free or nearly free segments. Ovules few, on short funicles. Epiphytes.—Species 7. Tropical and South Africa.
(Under Hariota Adans.) [Tribe RHIPSALIDEAE.] Rhipsalis Gaertn.
4. Stamens much exceeding the perianth. Seed-coat leathery. Stem without spines. Flowers red.—Species 1 (N. coccinellifera S. Dyck). Cultivated and sometimes naturalized, especially in the Canary Islands.
It is used for rearing the cochineal insect and as a vegetable. (Under
Opuntia Haw.) Nopalea S. Dyck
Stamens shorter than the perianth. Seed-coat hard.—Species 3. Cultivated, especially in North Africa. They yield edible fruits (prickly pear) from which also dyes, drinks, medicaments, and sugar are prepared; one species is used for rearing the cochineal insect. Opuntia Haw.
ORDER MYRTIFLORAE
SUBORDER THYMELAEINEAE
[FAMILY 168.] GEISSOLOMATACEAE
Shrubs of heath-like appearance. Leaves opposite, undivided, stipulate. Flowers solitary, axillary, regular, 4-merous, hermaphrodite, surrounded by 6-8 unequal bracteoles. Calyx-tube short. Sepals petal-like, imbricate in bud. Petals none. Stamens 8, perigynous, unequal. Anthers versatile, short, with a narrow connective, opening inwards by two longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 4-celled. Ovules 2 in each cell, pendulous, inverted, the raphe turned outwards. Style 1. Stigmas 4. Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds with a small outgrowth at the hilum, a smooth testa, a fleshy albumen, and a large straight embryo. (Under PENAEACEAE.)
Genus 1, species 2. South Africa. Geissoloma Lindl. & Kunth
[FAMILY 169.] PENAEACEAE