Class XXIII
- POLYGAMIA.
Flowers either male, female, or hermaphrodite, upon the same or different plants. THIS class differs from the two preceding in having not only the sexes in different flowers upon the same individual as in Monœcia, or upon separate individuals as in Diœcia, but also combined in one flower, mixed among those which are unisexual. It may, therefore, be considered to contain those genera which are in a state of transition from the common hermaphrodite structure to absolute unisexuality. To the first of its orders are referred several grasses, which are excluded from the early classes on account of the separation of their sexes; it also contains the numerous tribe of Mimosas, so well known for their various properties as objects of food, of ornament, of medicine, or of curiosity. The maple is also stationed in the first class, as are a few genera of palms.
The most important genera of the second class, besides the poetical Palmetto, are the ash and the fig. Gleditschia and Ceratonia, two families of Leguminosæ, are valuable, the former for its light, airy, elegant foliage, and the latter for its sweet pods, which are used in Spain, in great quantities, as fodder for cattle.. Order 1. MONŒCIA.
Flowers monœcious. 2123. Inga. Hermaphrodite. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. tubular, 5-fid. Stam. 100, monadelphous. Pod 2-valved. Seeds enwrapped in pulp, or in an arillus. Male. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. tubular, 5-fid. Stam. 100, monadelphous. 2124. Mimosa. Hermaphrodite. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. O. or 5-toothed. Stam. 8. Pod separating into oneseeded joints. Male. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. O. or 5-toothed. Stamens 8. 2125. Schrankia. Hermaphrodite. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. 5-fid. Stamens 8-10. Pod 4-valved. Male. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. 5-fid. Stamens 8-10. 2126. Desmanthus. Hermaphrodite. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. 5 petals. Stamens 20. Pod 2-valved. Male. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. O. Stamens 20. 2127. Acacia. Hermaphrodite. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. 5-fid. Stamens 4-100. Pod 2-valved. Male. Cal. 5-toothed. Cor. 5-fid. Stamens 4-100. 2128. Veratrum. Hermaphrodite. Cal. O. Cor. 6-petalous. Stamens 6. Ovaries 3. Caps. 3, manyseeded. Male. Same as hermaphrodite, but no ovary. 2129. Andropogon. Hermaphrodite. Cal. 1-fl. Paleæ glume bearded, either at base or tip. Stamens 3. Styles 2. Seed 1. Male. Ovary none. 2130. Chloris. Flowers 1-sided. Cal. 2-valved, with 2 or 6 florets: one sessile, hermaphrodite; the other stalked, male. Hermaphrodite. Paleæ with a terminal beard. Stamens 3. Styles 2. Seed 1. Male. Cal. O, Paleæ one or two, bearded. Stamens 3. 2131. Sorghum. Flowers panicled. Glume coriaceous-cartilaginous, 2-flowered closed. Paleæ of the hermaphrodite bearded; of the neuter single, beardless. Male. Glume 1-fl. stalked. Paleæ 2, beardless. 2132. Holcus. Hermaphrodite. Cal. glume 1-2-flowered. Paleæ bearded under the end. Stamens 3. the end.
Stamens 3.
Styles 2. Seed 1. Male. Cal. glume 2-valved. Paleæ O. or 2. Stamens 3. 2133. Ischæmum. Hermaphrodite. Cal. glume 2-flowered. Paleæ 2. Stamens 3. Styles 2. Seed1. Male Cal. and palea as in hermaphrodite. Stamens 3. 2134. Ægilops. Hermaphrodite. Cal. glume about 3-flowered, cartilaginous. Palea terminated by a triple beard. Stamens 3. Styles 2. Seed-1. Male. Cal. and pal. of hermaphrodite. Stamens 3. 2135. Manisuris. Hermaphrodite. Glume 1-fl. Paleæ 2. Stamens 3. Style bifid. Male. Glume 1-fl. Paleæ 2. Stam. 3. All the valves of calyx emarginate at end and sides. 2136. Valantia. Hermaphrodite. Cal. O. Cor. 4-parted. Stamens 4. Style 2-fid. Seed 1. Male. Cal. O.