[FAMILY 6.] PANDANACEAE
Shrubs or trees, usually with aerial roots. Leaves in three ranks, sword-shaped, usually spiny. Flowers dioecious, without bracts, arranged in solitary or panicled, spike-or head-like spadices, which are inserted in the axil of spathe-like bracts. Perianth none. Ovaries connate, 1-celled. Ovule 1, descending, inverted. Stigma 1, sessile. Fruits drupe-like, congested into a globose or ovoid head. Seed with abundant albumen. (Plate 3.)
Genus 1, species 65. Tropics. They yield timber, fibres, flowers used in perfumery, edible fruits, and medicinal drugs. “Screw-pine.” Pandanus L.
[FAMILY 7.] SPARGANIACEAE
Aquatic or marsh herbs with a creeping root-stock. Leaves in two ranks, linear. Flowers unisexual, in globular heads, the lower of which are female. Perianth of membranous scales. Stamens 3 or more. Ovary superior, 1-2-celled. Ovule 1 in each cell, pendulous, inverted. Style simple, stigmas 1-2. Fruits drupe-like. Seed with a mealy albumen and a large, axile embryo. (Under TYPHACEAE.)
Genus 1, species 2. North-west Africa. “Bur-reed.” Sparganium L.
ORDER HELOBIAE
SUBORDER POTAMOGETONINEAE
[FAMILY 8.] POTAMOGETONACEAE