Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/266

226 in simple or compound umbels, less often in racemes or panicles. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary; limb truncate or toothed or almost obsolete. Petals usually 5, seldom 4 or more than 5, valvate or slightly imbricate. Stamens as many as the petals, and inserted with them round the margin of an epigynous disc; filaments usnally inflexed. Ovary superior, 2- to many-celled, rarely 1-celled; styles as many as the cells, free or connate; ovules solitary, pendulous, anatropous. Fruit drupaceous, indebiscent; epicarp usually succulent; cells 2 to many, 1-seeded. Seeds pendulous; testa membranous; albumen copious, fleshy; embryo minute, radicle next the hilum.

A stout much-branched herb; stem fistulose. Leaves large, orbicular or reniform, setose; petiole with broad membranous stipuliform sheaths. Umbels 3 or 4 times compound, forming a large globose head 6–9 in. diam.; involucral bracts foliaceous. Flowers polygamous, jointed on the top of the pedicel. Calyx-tube 3–4-grooved; limb obsolete. Petals 5, obovate, obtuse, imbricate in the bud. Stamens 5; anthers ovate. Disc fleshy, annular, 3–4-lobed. Ovary 3–4-celled; styles as many as the cells, recurved. Fruit globose, depressed and hollow at the summit, obscurely 3–4-grooved, dry and corky, covered with a black and shining epidermis, 3–4-celled. Seeds as many as the cells.