Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/522

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Herbs or shrubs, rarely small trees. Lower leaves usually opposite, upper alternate, or all opposite oi' all alternate; stipules wanting. Flowers generally irregular, hermaphrodite. Calyx inferior, persistent, 4-5-toothed or -lobed, sometimes of 5 free sepals. Corolla gamopetalous, hypogynous, commonly 2-lipped but sometimes almost regular, 4–5-lobed; lobes imbricate in bud. Stamens inserted on the tube of the corolla, either 2, or 4 in 2 pairs, 2 long and 2 short (didynamous), sometimes the rudiment of a fifth stamen is present or rarely all five are present and perfect; anthers 1–2-celled, cells distinct or confluent. Ovary superior, 2-celled; style simple; stigma entire, 2-lobed or 2-lamellate; ovules usually numerous in each cell, anatropous or amphitropous, placentas afifixed to the septum. Fruit a 2-celled many-seeded capsule, rarely an indehiscent berry. Seeds small, generally numerous, various in form; albumen fleshy, seldom wanting; embryo straight or rarely curved.