SUBORDER JUNCINEAE
[FAMILY 31.] JUNCACEAE
Leaves linear or reduced to the sheath. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite. Perianth-segments 6, free, stiff, usually green. Stamens 3 or 6. Ovary superior, 1-or 3-celled. Ovules 3 or more, inverted. Style 1; stigmas 3, elongated. Fruit capsular. Seeds with a straight axile embryo and abundant albumen.—Genera 3, species 55. (Plate 17.)
1. Stem woody. Leaves at its top, stiff, serrate. Ovary 3-celled, with 2 or few ovules in each cell. Style very short. Seeds with a large embryo and appressed testa.—Species 1. South Africa. It yields fibres and vegetables and is used for plaiting-work. “Palmiet.” (Plate 17.) Prionium E. Mey.
Stem herbaceous. Style thread-like. Seeds with a small embryo. 2
2. Ovary 1-celled, with 3 basal ovules. Leaves with a closed sheath and ciliate margins.—Species 10. North and South Africa and high mountains of Central Africa. “Wood-rush.” Luzula DC.
Ovary 1-3-celled, with numerous parietal or axile ovules.—Species 45.
Some are used in medicine or for plaiting-work. “Rush.” Juncus L.
JUNCACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 17.
J. Fleischmann del.
Prionium serratum Drege