This order has been separated from the last, chiefly on account of the seeds having no albumen. The principal genus is the Jasmine, which has a funnel-shaped corolla, and pinnate leaves. Some botanists insert, between Oleaceæ and Jasmineæ, the new order Columellieæ, which contains only one plant, Bolivaria trifida.
ORDER CXXVI.—STRYCHNEÆ.
Tropical trees. The principal genus Strychnos, the fruit of which is the well-known poisonous nut, Nux vomica. The genera Theophrasta and Fagræa were formerly included in this order; but the first is now placed in the new order, Theophrasteæ (see p. [399]); and the second is placed in another new order introduced here, and called Potaliaceæ.
ORDER CXXVII.—APOCYNEÆ.
Very showy plants from various parts of the world, some of which require a stove in Britain, while others are quite hardy. They also vary in some of them being trees, others erect shrubs or climbers, and others perennial; but they are all easily recognised by the twisted direction of the segments of the corolla, which has been compared to the rays of St. Catharine’s-wheel. The corolla is generally salver-shaped as in the periwinkle (Vinca major), or funnel-shaped, as in Taberna montana, and Allamanda cathartica, or divided into equal segments as in Nerium Oleander. The flowers are often bearded in the throat, and furnished with hypogynous scales; with the stamens inclosed in the flower, and the anthers lying close together. The seed is contained in two follicles, which are slender, and have their seeds disposed in two rows. The species all abound in an injurious milky juice; and two of the genera, Cerbera and Tanghina, are virulent poisons.
ORDER CXXVIII.—ASCLEPIADEÆ.