Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/628

588 spikes or racemes, often forming terminal panicles. Perianth inferior, persistent; segments 3–6, free or connate at the base, imbricate. Stamens 5–9, rarely more or less, hypogynous or perigynous; filaments capillary or subulate, free or connate at the base; anthers 2-celled. Ovary superior, compressed or 3-gonous; styles 1–3; ovule solitary, basal, orthotropous. Fruit a small hard indehiscent trigonous or compressed nut, usually enclosed in the persistent perianth. Seed erect, testa membranous; albumen copious, farinaceous; embryo variable in position, radicle superior.

Herbs, rarely shrubby at the base. Leaves alternate; stipules membranous, usually tubular and closely sheathing the stem. Flowers small, hermaphrodite, clustered; clusters either axillary or in racemes or spikes or panicles; bracts and bracteoles membranous, ochreate; pedicels usually jointed. Perianth 5-partite, green or coloured; segments equal or the 2 or 3 outer ones the largest. Stamens 5–8. Ovary compressed or 3-gonous; styles 2 or 3, free or connate at the base; stigmas usually capitellate. Nuts compressed or 3-gonous, included in the persistent perianth. Seed albuminous; embryo excentric or lateral; radicle long, superior.