Cells of the ovary with about six winged ovules, the mature fruit I have not seen—v. s. s. ex.
Herb. Griffith, No. 1104.
Tribe 2d.—H y p e r ic e æ .— This tribe is characterized by having petals unequal, or rarely,
nearly equal sided, (without pits or appendages at the base) and usually contorted in æstivation.
Stamens either altogether free, or monadelphous, or 3-5 adelphous at the base. Hypogynous
scales or glands, sometimes wanting. Pericarp (very rarely indéhiscent) a septicidal capsule,
or sometimes composed of three deciduous indéhiscent cocci. ( ml rare dieresilis* tncocca)
Seeds terete, wingless, often somewhat curved : radicle terete, elongated, obtuse, never replicate;
cotyledons somewhat foliaceous, very short. , • , T v n • , .
This tribe is divided into five sections, the characters of each of which 1 shall introduce.
Section 1.—D r o s a n t h in e æ .— Calyx, 5-cleft or parted. Petals equal, or nearly equalsided
unguiculate, marcescent (withering in the flower without falling off) twisted after expansion,
(anthesis). Ovary 3-celled, 3-coccus, 3-styled. Ovules horizontal or ascending,
definite or indefinite in number, (6-12 in each cell) the mature cells 1-3 seeded, at length deciduous
along with the central placenta.—To this section two genera belong, neither of which
however, has yet been found in India, all the species hitherto discovered, being from Persia or
Asia Minor.
Section 2 .— H y p e r in e a e .— Calyx, 5-parted or cleft, (very rarely, five distinct sepals in a
double series). Petals marcescent, unequal sided, convolute, or contorted after anthesis
(blowing). Stamens 3 adelphous, persistent. Ovary 3-celled, many ovuled, 3-styled. Capsules
septicidal: central placenta undivided, and with the valves persistent.—Three genera are
referred to this section, but only one of them so far as I know, has representatives in India.
To this section belongs the greater part of the European species of the order.
Section 3.—ANDRo8(r,mine.v,.—Sepals 5, most frequently in a distinct double series, and
very unequal. Petals withering or deciduous, unequal sided, after anthesis contorted, or the
margins convolute. Stamens pentadelphous, (very rarely, 4-6 or 8 adelphous, or monadelphous,
at the extreme base) withering, or deciduous. Ovary, 3-5 (rarely 6-8) celled, many ovuled.
Styles equalling the number of the cells, often united towards the base, or even nearly to the
apex Capsules septicidal, very rarely baccate, or indehiscent —To this section seven genera
belong, all separated from the old genus Hypericum, one of these is Norysca.
Section 4.—Brathydine* Sp.—Sepals 5, (very rarely 4) petals deciduous or withering,
and after anthesis, involute from the apex to near the middle, unequal sided. Stamens either
altogether free and deciduous, or monadelphous at the base and then withering. Ovary, one or
3-celled, 3 (rarely 2) styled, sometimes the styles altogether concreted as if one styled, ovules
numerous. Capsules 2-3 valved. . .
This section includes four genera, one of which is Brathys.
Section 5 — Ascyrineas Sp.—Sepals 4, distinct in a double senes, cruciate; the two exterior
large, (one above the other below), during flowering, and after anthesis valvate: two interior
(lateral) very small (sometimes scarcely conspicuous) included. Petals 4, cruciate unequal,
and unequal sided. Stamens persistent, somewhat monadelphous at the base, ovary
1-celled, 2-4 styled. . ,
To this section only one genus Ascyrum is referred.
The following genera are known to exist in India, on which account I shall introduce
Spach’s generic characters.
H yp ericum.’—Section Hyperinece. Calyx 4-5 parted, sepals equal or unequal, after
anthesis, erect, very rarely reflexed. Petals marcescent, scarcely unguiculate, spreadmg horizontally
during flowering. Androphores bearing from 5 to 30 stamens. Ovules in each cell, in tv
» I am uncertain about the exact meaning attached to this word, but presnme the author wiehea to^ express a fruit
to that of Geraniacete. That consists of a series of indehiscent carpels, which separate entire, with their seed indo
period of maturity, leaving the central axis or gynobase to which they were articulated m its pi ace.