The plants belonging to this order may be instantly recognized by the very singular arrangement of the pistil and stamens. The receptacle is raised in the centre of the flower so as to form a long cylindrical stipe, on which is placed the ovary, with its three styles, each ending in a fleshy stigma; a little lower are five stamens, with their filaments growing together round the stipe, and with large anthers which are attached by the back. At the base of the stipe are two or more rows of filaments without anthers, which are called the rays. There are five petals and five sepals; but some botanists consider the whole to be sepals, and that the petals are wanting. The fruit of some of the species is eatable. It is about the size of a large egg, and contains numerous seeds, which are enveloped in a kind of pulp.
ORDER LXXXVI.*—MALESHERBIACEÆ.
This order consists entirely of the plants belonging to the genus Malesherbia; which are mostly annuals, or biennials, with very showy blue or white flowers, introduced from Chili in 1832. The genus was formerly included in Passifloraceæ.
ORDER LXXXVII.—LOASEÆ.
All the species contained in this genus are natives of North America, and most of them are annuals, with very showy flowers. The genera Loasa and Caiophora are covered with glandular hairs or bristles, which sting much worse than those of the nettle. Bartonia aurea is one of the most splendid annuals in cultivation, from its golden yellow flowers; Blumenbachia has the fruit roundish and spirally twisted, and Caiophora has the fruit horn-shaped, and twisted in a similar manner. This curious construction of the fruit may be seen in C. punicea, the well known showy climber, generally called Loasa aurantiaca, or lateritia. The fruit of the true kinds of Loasa is plain and not twisted, as may be seen in L. nitida, L. Placei, and in short in all the other species of the genus. The flowers of most of the plants in this order are very curiously constructed, there being two sets of petals quite distinct in form and colour, and two sets of stamens. The five outer petals are large and hooded, and in each is cradled a bundle of four or more stamens. These petals and stamens are turned back; but there is a second set of five petals which are generally blotched with red, which stand erect, and enclose a second set of stamens also erect, which surround the style.
ORDER LXXXVIII.—TURNERIACEÆ.
The only genus in British gardens is Turnera, and the species are hothouse and greenhouse herbaceous plants, with flowers very like those of the Bladder Ketmia. On examination, however, it will be immediately seen that they do not belong to the Mallow tribe, as their stamens are distinct, whereas those of all the Malvaceæ are united into a central column.