The below mentioned article provides a study of Angiospermic Plants.
Specimen:
Collected from the college campus.
Habitat:
Terrestrial, moist.
Habit:
Prostrate with erect or semi-erect branches.
Root:
Adventitious, fasciculated at the base, as well as from the nodes of prostrate shoots.
Stem:
Solid, terete, ± 0.3 cm in diam., obscurely ridged succulent, glabrous, no exudate, herbaceous, light green with brownish shades; internodes distinct, 1.0 – 3.2 cm long, lower portion remains covered by sheathing leaf-base.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, simple, alternate; leaf-base sheathing, closed, 0.6 – 1.8 cm long, greenish, minutely hairy at the mouth only, with a few longitudinal parallel nerves, lamina broadly lanceolate to slightly ovate-lanceolate, entire but with minute hair-like projections, acute to obtuse with a minute mucro, base rounded-attenuate, herbaceous, glabrous, dorsiventral, green, ± 5.6 x 1.6 cm midvein strong, depressed above, elevated below, laterally 3-pairs of convergent nerves from the base, transverse veinlets connect the nerves.
Inflorescence:
Cincinus, remains enclosed in a broadly ovate, cordate, ±2.1 × 1.4 cm, green, con-duplicate, boat-shaped, stalked (± 1.4 cm long) spathe, pseudo axillary (i.e. leaf-opposite, which is morphologically terminal), branches 2, 1 – 3 flowered, flowers with at least a portion of pedicel exerted from spathe; 1st branch very long, ± 1.7 cm completely exserted, pedicels ± 0.8 cm long, slender, greenish; floral bract minute, membranous, hyaline, glabrous.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, trimerous, heterochalamydeous, ± 1.2 cm in diam. at mouth.
Calyx:
Sepals 3, free, ± 0.3 x 0.2 cm ovate, entire, rounded, thin, translucent white, very delicate, glabrous, imbricate with posterior one innermost and slightly smaller.
Corolla:
Petals 3, free, distinctly clawed, blue ; anterior petal slightly smaller, ± 0.4 cm long and ± 0.25 cm broad, limb concave; lateral petals larger, ± 0.8 × 0.65 cm, claw 0.25 cm, limb semilunar, base unequal, imbricate with anterior petal outside.
Androecium:
Stamens 6, in 2 whorls, outer whorl antisepalous, posterior one of outer whorl and lateral pair of inner whorl sterile; anterior one of inner whorl and lateral pairs of outer whorl fertile; filaments unequal, longer than sepals but shorter than petals, incurved in buds, blue, glabrous, ± 0.5 cm long (mean length); anther of sterile stamens abortive with two almost free, large and yellow lobes and two minute lobes; anther of anterior stamen (inner) large, bithecous, dorsifixed below the middle, longitudinally dehiscing; anthers of two lateral stamens (outer) smaller and narrower, bithecous, longitudinally dehiscing; pollens granular, yellow.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 3, syncarpous ; ovary superior, 3-lobed, ovate-oblong, glabrous, whitish, 3 chambered, posterior with one ovule, anterior chambers 2-ovuled, placentation axile ; style short, ± 0.18 cm long, curved at the tip, glabrous, whitish ; stigma continuous.
Fruit:
A loculicidal capsule, ± 0.6 x 0.3 cm oblong, slightly 3-lobed ; anterior lobes constricted at the middle with 2 seeds in each, posterior lobe short, keeled, 1 seeded (total seeds 2 + 2 + 1 = 5).
Seed:
Oblong, slightly curved towards the linear hilum, ± 0.31 x 0.13 cm both ends rounded; testa tough, blackish, positively reticulate, lumina deep; embryo narrowly linear terete, monocotyledonous; endosperm copious, mealy.
Flora Formula:
Identification:
A herb with succulent stems; lower stem prostrate, upper semi-erect; leaves alternate with closed sheath, lamina flat, entire; inflorescence cincinus, remains enclosed in a green, folded, boat-shaped spathe; flowers bisexual, perianth hetero-chlamydeous (= dichlamydeous); sepals 3, small, free; petals 3, larger, coloured, stalked; stamens 3 + 3, free, 3-fertile, 3-sterile, carpels 3, syncarpous, ovary superior, 3-chambered, ovules on axile placentation; style 1, terminal; fruit a loculicidal capsule, seeds albuminous.
……………. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: COMMELINACEAE.
Stamens 3, perfect with 3 staminodes. Cymes solitary, enclosed in spathaceous bracts.
………… So, it belongs to the genus: Commelina.
Anterior pair of cells of ovary 2 ovuled; posterior cell 1-ovuled.
Capsule 3-celled, the two anterior cells loculicidally dehiscent, and each 2-seeded; the posterior cell keeled, 1-seeded. Leaves lanceolate; spathes complicate (folded), margins free. Seeds reticulate; cylindric; branches of cymes 1-3 flowered; spathe cordate at base.
……. So, the species is nudiflora.
Name of the Plant: Commelina nudiflora L.
Key Used:
Bengal Plants, 2-vols. by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Terrestrial
Habit:
Tree-like erect herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Bulbous, corm-like with pseudo-axis which is covered by convolute leaf sheaths, nodes and internodes indistinct.
Leaf:
Leaves very large, petiolate, existipulate, oblong, entire, acute, with sheathing leaf base ; alternate spiral, unicostate, parallel, glabrous.
Inflorescence:
Erect or decurved sub-terminal spike or mixed spadix, bracts large, spathaceous, ovate bracts many flowered.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, unisexual, complete, epigynous, bracts and bractioles membranous.
Parienth:
Biseriate, superior, outer segments – 3, Calycine, united into a split spathaceous tube, imbricate, toothed; inner segments petaloid, connate in a long or short corolla-tube; adnate to outer whorl.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, perfect, the sixth rudimentary, filament stout, filiform, anther linear, erect, 2-celled pistilode present with reduced ovary, style and stigma.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 3, connate in a 3-locular-ovary; ovules many superposed ; axile placentation, style filiform from a thickened base ; stigma globose, 6-lobed; staminodes present.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Stem rhizomatous corm-like, leaves large glabrous, simple, oblong, entire with prominent midrib and sheathing leaf-base; inflorescence mixed spadix; flower zygomorphic, bisexual, epigynous, perianth 3 + 3, distinguished into calyx and corolla, stamens – 5, perfect; carpel – 3, united, ovary inferior; fruit a fleshy berry.
……. Hence the plant belong to genus. “Musa”.
The most common cultivated species sapiantum.
……. Hence the plant. Musa sapientum L.
Key Used:
Bengal Plant by B. Pyrin (2 volumes).
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Terrestrial
Habit:
Tree-like erect herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Bulbous, corm-like with pseudo-axis which is covered by convolute leaf sheaths, nodes and internodes indistinct.
Leaf:
Leaves very large, petiolate, existipulate, oblong, entire, acute, with sheathing leaf base; alternate spiral, unicostate, parallel, glabrous.
Inflorescence:
Erect or decurved sub-terminal spike or mixed spadix, bracts large, spathaceous, ovate bracts many flowered.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, unisexual, complete, epigynous, bracts and bractioles membranous.
Perianth:
Biseriate, superior, outer segments – 3, Calycine, united into a split spathaceous tube, imbricate, toothed; inner segments petaloid, connate in a long or short corolla-tube; adnate to outer whorl.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, perfect, the sixth rudimentary, filament stout, filiform, anther linear, erect, 2-celled pistilode present with reduced ovary, style and stigma.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 3, connate in a 3-locular-ovary ; ovules many superposed ; axile placentation, style filiform from a thickened base ; stigma globose, 6-lobed; staminodes present.
Fruit:
Oblong to fusiform berry, indehiscent, edible.
Flora Formula:
Male:
Female:
Identification:
Stem rhizomatous corm-like, leaves large glabrous, simple, oblong, entire with prominent midrib and sheathing leaf-base ; inflorescence mixed spadix; flower zygomorphic, bisexual, epigynous, perianth 3 + 3, distinguished into calyx and corolla, stamens – 5, perfect; carpel – 3, united, ovary inferior; fruit a fleshy berry.
…..Hence the family MUSACEAE.
Sepals united into a split spathaceous tube; leaves spiral, oblong; stamens 5 perfect; fruit a berry.
…..Hence the plant belong to genus. “Musa”.
The most comroen cultivated species sapiantum.
…..Hence the plant. Musa sapientum L.
Key used:
Bengal Plant by B. Pyrin (2 volumes).
Specimen No. 3.
[Chloris barabata sw.]
Specimen:
Plants supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbs.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Calm cylindrical, green, glossy, nodes solid, half of the internode covered with the sheathing leaf base, length of the internode 11 to 14 cms.
Leaf:
Petiolate, exstipulate, simple, alternate, linear, acute, leaf base sheathing, parallel, hairy, lamina 12 – 15 cms long.
Inflorescence:
Panicle with 10-15 spikes arranged in tuffed manner, terminal, erect, ebracteate.
Flower:
Spikelet one flowered, biseriate, unilateral rachilla jointed at the base, glumes four, of which 1st, 2nd and 4th glumes empty, only 3rd glume flowering; empty glumes smaller, concave, lanceolate, 1-nerved; flowering glume (Palea) broad, 3-veined, 3-awned; lodicule one, minute fleshy, bisexual, zygomorphic superior.
Parianth:
Represented by lodicule placed within the palea.
Androecium:
Stamen – 3, free, filament long, anther bi-celled, basifixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-solitary, opposite, the palea, ovary superior, 1 celled with a single erect ovule; style-2, free; stigma 2, lateral, feathery.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Stem cylindrical, with long internode surrounded by sheathing leaf base, spikelet’s enclosed by empty glumes, lemma bears awn, perianth represented by lodicules, stamens free, carpel solitary, stigma feathery.
……. Hence the plants belongs to the family – GRAMINEAE (POACEAE).
Herbaceous, glumes-four, all distinct, spikelet’s in simple digitate form, spikelet one flowered, biseriate, awned.
……. Hence the plant belong to the genus – Chloris.
Spikelets 1-flowered, the rachilla produced beyond the flowering glumes, rachilla bearing one to three reduced empty glumes, spikelets 3 awned.
……. Hence the species barbata
Name of the Plant: Chloris barbata Sw.
Flora used for the key : Bengal Plants (2 volumes) – D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 4. Date:
[Michelia champaca L.]
Specimen:
Fruits and flowering twigs supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be a tree.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, terete, old stem woody, ± 0.5 cm thick (leafy stem), no exudate, green, shortly dense white-silky, internodes short, 0.4 to 1.1 cm long; nodes with an oblique scar mark.
Leaf:
Simple, 2/5th alternate; stipule bud scales, adnate to the petiole, 3.5 cm long, greenish, glabrous inside, silky above, caducous – leaves an oblique scar at the node; petiole nearly erect, ± 2.0 cm long, ± terete, solid, slightly thickened towards the base, light green, silky; lamina 12.5 – 22.5 x 6.5 – 9.5cm, broadly ovate-lanceolate, entire to slightly repund, acuminate, cuneate, green, dorsiventral glabrascent above, rusty-silky beneath – specially on the nerves ; venation unicostate – reticulate, ± 15 nerved, alternate, arched within the margin.
Inflorescence:
Solitary axillary ; buds (pear-shaped) remain enclosed by one spathaceous, pubescent, caducous, greenish bract; pedicel ± 1.5 cm long, ± 0.4 cm thick, with 2-nodes, rusty pubescent.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, spirocyclic, monochlamy- deous, showy, fragrant.
Perianth:
Tepals in 3 whorls of 5 each, polyphylous, light yellow, obovate-lanceolate, entire, acute to acuminate, imbricate ; outer five largest and of inner whorl smallest – median ones slightly narrower, than outer.
Androecium:
Stamens many, spirally arranged, included, yellow, deciduous ; filament short, ± 0.27 cm long, thick, glabrous ; anthers bithecous; ± 0.6 x 0.2 cm, dehiscence longitudinal, introrse; connective broad, projected tip ± 0.15 cm long.
Gynoecium:
Carpels ∝, apocarpous, spirally arranged on a conical, stalked (gynophore) torus; ovary (of each carpel) superior, ± 0.3 x 0.2 cm, slightly obovate, ribbed, greenish yellow, pubescent, 1-chambered, with ± 9 anatropous ovules on marginal placenta in 2 – rows; style short, ± 0.05 cm long, silky; stigma curved, papillose, reddish brown.
Floral Formula:
Fruit:
Eterio of follicles, axis ± 15.0 cm follicles ± 25 cm number sub-sessile, roughly obovate to orbicular (up to 2.7 x 1.7 cm) covered with small white warts, opens through dorsal suture; seeds ± 8, attached to the placenta by a long and slender silky funicle.
Seed:
Variously angled, back rounded, ± 0.8 x 0.6 cm; testa fleshy, shining; tegmen cartilaginous; embryo small, dicotyledonous, erect; endosperm fleshy.
Identification:
A tree; leaves alternate, simple; leaf buds remain covered by bud-scales; flowers solitary, axillary, actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, spirocyclic, buds remain covered by one spathaceous bract; tepals 15 in 3 whorls, equally coloured ; stamens numerous, spirally arranged, anthers beaked; carpels many, apocarpous, spirally arranged on a conical torus; ovaries 1-chambered, ovules in marginal placentation; fruits etaerio of follicles; seeds pendulous with a long funicle; endosperum fleshy:
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the Family: MAGNOLIACEAE.
Carpels in a loose spike on a stalked gynophore:
……. So, the genus: Michelia.
Only one species recorded in the flora: champaca. Name of the Plant: Michelia champaca L.
Flora used for Key:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) – D. Prain (1903).
Specimen:
Plants supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be a tree (a semi-deciduous ex-current tree)
Root:
Did not supply.
Stem:
Solid, terete, woody, without any exudate, glabrous, divided into prominent internodes and nodes; internodes 1.0 – 2.0 cm; bark fibrous, blackish-grey.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate (1/2 phyllotaxy), exstipulate; petiole thick, ± 0.8 cm ; lamina 16.0 – 22.5 x 2.5 – 4.1 cm, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, entirerepund, acuminate, dark green, both surfaces glabrous, leathery; venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate, mid-vein elevated below, lateral veins ± 30 pairs.
Inflorescence:
Branched or un-branched eymose fascicles, developed on old stem, 2-20 flowered; bracts minute, scaly; bracteole 1, minute, scaly; peduncle small; internodes ± 0.5 cm long.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, trimerous, spirocyclic, monochlamydeous, ± 2.0 cm in diam. ; pedicels up to 3.2 cm long, slender, finely pubescent ; receptacle tomb-shaped.
Perianth:
Tepals 3 + 3 + 3, polyphylous, dirty-white ; outer three sepaloid, smallest, ± 0.4 x 0.4 cm, triangular-ovate, entire, acute and reflexed, greenish-white; median 3 medium, ± 1.2 long, 0.4 cm broad at base, narrowed towards the tip, entire, sometimes longitudinally 1/2-coiled, dirty white; inner three largest, ± 2.0 cm long, ± 0.5 cm broad at base, gradually narrowed upwards, entire, acuminate, sometimes longitudinally 1/2-coiled, dirty-white; valvate (open).
Androecium:
Stamens numerous, spirally arranged on the receptacle in between the zones of carpels and the upper whorl of tepels; free, very small ± 0.1 cm long ; filament almost missing; connective broad, forming a capital appendage at the tip of anther, lobes 2, dehiscence longitudinal, pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels numerous, apocarpous, spirally arranged the upper portion of receptacle, very closely set ± 0.1 cm long; Ovaries superior, ovoid, 1-chambered; Ovule 1 in marginal placentation – attached near the base of the Ovary.
Fruit:
Did not supply (Eterio of berries, 1-15, stalks shoat, 1-seeded, black on ripening; seed-coat spongy).
Flora Formula:
Identification:
A tree; leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate; lamina entire; flowers spirocyclic, bisexual, hypogynous; perianth 3 + 3 + 3, free, outer whorl sepaloid, inner two whorls petaloid; stamens numerous, nearly sessile; connective formed a capitate appendage; carpels many, free, ovaries superior, 1-chambered, 1-ovuled in marginal placentation. (fruit etario of berries)
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ANNONACEAE.
Carpels not confluent in front.
Petals valvae.
Anther cells concealed by overlapping connective. Peduncles not hooked.
Petals of both series flat, lanceolate, sub-equal, spreading from the base. Ovules definite. Ovule 1, sub-basal:
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Polyalthia.
Branches and leaves glabrous; flowers many, fascicled, petals linear, carpels ovoid. Leaves narrow-lanceolate, apex tapering, margin undulate; petals .75 – 1 cm long; carpels fleshy, black, .75 cm long, exceeding the stipe.
……. Hence, the species: longifolia.
Name of the plant: Polyalthia longifolia Benth. and Hook. f.
Flora consulted : Prain, D. 1903. Bengal Plants.
Specimen:
Entire, uprooted plants supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A diffuse herb with erect and semi-erect branches, annual.
Root:
Normal tap root system, adventitious roots developed from lower nodes.
Stem:
Terete, solid, herbaceous, succulent, glabrous, white-tensluscent, without any exudate or aroma, internodes 1.2 – 2.2 cm long.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, alternate, simple; base (hypopodium) slightly amplexicauled; petiole erect, ± 0.5 cm long; lamina broadly cordate, 2.2 x 2.2 cm entire, acute-obtuse, succulent, green above, whitish below; veins reticulate, palmate with 5 or 7 veins from base.
Inflorescence:
Spike, terminal (leaf-opposed), ± 3.0 cm with numerous flowers, distant, partially sunk on the rachis; bracts shield-shaped, stalked.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, hermaphrodite, incomplete, achlamydeous, minute (± 0.05 cm in diam.)
Perianth:
Absent
Androecium:
Stamens 2, free, lateral, inferior, deciduous; filaments (± 0.03 cm long) glabrous, shorter than pistil, anthers obscurely 2 lobed (confluent on maturity); extrorse; pollens granular, white.
Gynoecium:
Carpel 1; ovary superior, ovate-oblong, glabrous, green, ± 0.03 cm long, 1 chambered; ovule 1, basal, orthotropous; style terminal, extremely short, stigma penicillate.
Fruit:
Small drupe, globose (± 0.09 cm in diam.) marked with 10 vertical ridges and fine transverse lines, 1-seeded.
Seed:
Testa thin, brown; embryo diamond-shaped, dicotyledonous; endosperm copious.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb; leaves alternate, simple, exstipulate; flowers in spikes, minute, hermaphrodite, subtended by a peltate bract; perianth absent; stamens 2; anther cells confluent; ovary 1-locular with one basal, orthotropous ovule; stigma penicillate; fruit globose, 1-seeded; testa thin, albumen copious.
…… .Hence, it belongs to the family: PIPERACEAE.
Succulant herbs – flowers – 2 sexual, anther cells confluent, stigma penicillate.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the genus: Peperomia.
Leaves alternate, ovate;
……. So, the spices : pellucida.
Name of the plant: Peperomia pellucida (L) H.B.K.
Haines, H. H. (1924): Botany of Bihar and Orissa (I – VI parts).
Specimen No. 7. Date :
[Pouzolzia zeylanica Bennet et Brown = P. indica (L.) Gaudich.]
Specimen:
Collected from an old brick wall/from the college campus/uprooted plants supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Terrestrial/Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A much-branched herb; branches radiating from the root-stock, prostrate and/or semi-erect, slender.
Root:
Tap root system.
Stem:
Solid with 4-ridges, furrows shallow, herbaceous, watery exudate present, hirsute, green, divided into nodes and internodes; internodes 1.0 – 2.5 cm long.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite-decussate; stipules free-lateral, brownish green, ovate-lanceolate, entire, acuminate, much hairy, petiole 0.5 – 0.7 cm long, always shorter than lamina, slender, erect ; lamina ovate to lanceolate, entire, acute, base rounded, dorsiventral, hirsute, green, herbaceous, 3-nerved at the base, pinnate above, reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, crowded, cymsse-fascicles; bract one, small, lanceolate, brownish green; bracteoles minute, hairy; one male flower is laterally flanked by two female flowers (i.e., monoecious).
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, tetramerous, unisexual, mono-chlamydeous, sessile.
Male Flower:
Perianth:
Tepals 4, basally connate, lower 2/3rd united, green, hairy, margins glabrous, lobes oblong to lanceolate, acute, 0.2 x 0.1 cm, concave imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens 4, opposite to tepals, exserted; filaments short, glabrous; anthers slightly oblong, bithecous, dorsifixed, extrorse, longitudinally dehiscing, pollens granular, powdery, white.
Gynoecium:
Pistillode clavate.
Female Flower:
Perianth:
Tepals 4, gamophyllous, lower 2/3rd portion tubular, enclosing the ovary, green; lobes small, lanceolate, mouth contracted, hairy, green, persistent-macresecent, imbricate.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous, ovary superior, 1 – chambered with one basal orthotropous ovule, style one, terminal, stigmas 2, feathery, deciduous.
Fruit:
Achene, enclosed by persistent perianth tube, ovate, pericarp shiny, 1-seeded.
Seed:
Ovate oblong, testa smooth, very thin (membranous) embryo straight with two equal cotyledons; endosperm plenty, oily.
Flora Formula:
Identification:
A perennial herb; stipules lateral; leaves simple ; flowers in cymose-clusters, minute, unisexual, bracts and bracteoles small, perianth 4-partite; stamens 4, opposite the perianth lobes. Anther cells 2, distinct, dehiscing longitudinally extrorse, carpels (2), 1-chambered with one basal ovule; style terminal, stigmas feathery, fruit an achene, remains covered by persistent perianth tube; testa membranous, endosperm absent; embryo straight.
……. Hence, the specimen belongs to the family: URTICACEAE.
Plant with watery juice.
Stamens indexed in bud, style undivided, ovule erect, orthotropous. Leaves and stems with no stinging hairs. Female perianth tubular, shortly toothed, enclosing the acheme. Fruiting perianth dry, membranous. Herbs; stigma jointed, deciduous.
……. Hence, the specimen belongs to thcjgenus: Pouzolzia.
Lobes of male perianth convex on back.
Leaves opposite, nerves one-pair, sparingly branched; stamens 5; leaves mostly opposite, base rounded,,
……. Hence the species is indica.
Name of the Plant: Pouzolzia zeylanica Bennet et Brown.
Ref. used:
Bengal Plants, 2-Vols. (1903) by D. Prain.
Specimen No. 8. Date:
[Rumex maritimus L.]:
Specimen:
Collected from the river-side.
Habitat:
Moist, terrestrial (land exposed after the depletion of water-level)
Habit:
Rosette herb, annual, 45.0 – 60.0 cm tall after bolting flowering stem with distinct nodes and internodes.
Root:
Tap-root system; taproot much thick below the base; lateral roots slender.
Stem:
Flowering stem terete with many ridges and furrows, mature stem slightly hollow, glabrous, light green, sometimes pinkish near the nodes; leafy all through.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, cauline leaves shortly petiolate (0.5 – 1.0 cm), radical leaves long petiolate (T.5 to 4.0 cm); stipules ochreate, ± 1.0 cm long ; lamina of lower leaves oblong – lanceolate, entire, or slightly irregular and repund, rounded to acute, base slightly cuneate, dorsiventral, glabrous, herbaceous, green; veins unicostate – reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Tall, scapose, much branched, leafy throughout (leaves gradually smaller upwards); flowers crowded at the nodes forming cymose fascicles.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, non-chlamydeous, bisexual, 0.4 – 0.5 cm long, all green, pedicles slender, ± 1.0 cm.
Perianth:
Tepals 3 + 3, slightly connate at base, outer 3 slightly smaller, oblong-lanceolate, entire, acuminate, persistent, valvate; fruiting tepals enlarged (acrescent); inner tepals, become twice the original length and develop a cylindrical callus on the mid vein of about 0.4 cm long.
Androecium:
Stamens 3 + 3 included, opposite to tepals (obdiplostemonus); filaments shorter than tepals, slender, glabrous; anthers oblong, bithecous, dehiscing longitudinally, extrorse; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 3, syncarpous; ovary superior, ovate-triangular, glabrous, 1-chambered with one basal, orthotropous ovule; styles 3, situated immediately below the tip of the ovary and producing on the ridges; stigma small, feathery.
Fruit:
Nut, triangular, stony, yellowish, 1-seeded, enclosed in the persistent perianth;
Seed:
Seeds ovate, endosperm floury; embryo straight; cotyledons 2, long, thick and white.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with simple and alternate leaves; stipules ochreate. flowers in axillary fascicles, small, green, hypogynous, bisexual, tepals 6, enlarged in fruit; stamens 6, anthers bilocular; ovary triangular, 1-chambered with one basal ovule; styles 3, free, fruit a triangular nut, seed endospermous with a straight dicotyledonous embryo.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the Family: POLYGONACEAE
Herbs, erect, the inflorescence not ending in tendrils. Perianth 6-cleft; stigmas fimbriate
……. Hence, the plant belongs to genus: Rumex.
Flowers hermaphrodite; styles terminal (nearly ?); inner sepals coriaceous in fruit; leaves never hastate. Inner fruiting sepals narrow margined, hardly toothed, bases of leaves narrowed into the petiole gradually, tips usually acute ; flowers distinctly pedicelled; perianth in fruit brown:
……. Hence, the species for the specimen: maritimus
Name of the Plant: Rumex maritimus L.
Flora consulted for Key : Prain, D. 1903. Bengal Plants. (2-vols.)
Specimen No. 9. Date:
[Polygonum oriantale L.]:
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, soft, terete, branched with prominent nodes and internodes, glabrous.
Leaf:
Alternate, simple; Stipule ochreate, petiole long, canline ovate, lanceolate, entire, acute, reticulate, unicostate, strigose.
Inflorescence:
Axillary or terminal spikate cyme, bracteate.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, complete, pentamerous, hypogynous, cyclic, pedicellate.
Perianth:
Tepals – 5, polyphylous, quincuncial, while persistent.
Androecium:
Stamens 7 to 8, distributed in two whorls, polyandrous, anther bi-celled, basifixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpels -3, syncarpous, ovary superior, triangular unilocular, with one basal ovule; style 3, lateral, short and stigma capitate.
Fruit:
Nut, triangular, pcricarp lough, shiny.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants herbaceous, leaves simple, with ochrcate stipules, flower hermophrodite, regular with undifferentiated perianth, stamens – 6 to 7, free ; carpel -3, superior, syncarpous with ovules in basal placentation.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the Family: POLYGONACEAE.
Erect herb, tepals 5, stamens – 6 to 7, in two whorls, stigma capitate.
……. Hence the genus Polygonum
Inflorescence terminal, spicate, leaves ovate,
……. Hence the species oriantale.
Specimen:
Collected from moist places.
Habitat:
Appears to be scmiaquatic.
Habit:
Errect herb with basal rosette of leaves.
Root:
Tap root with branching.
Stem:
Solid, terete, glabrous, nodes and internodes very prominent, greenish.
Leaf:
Petiolate, cxisiipulatc, simple, alternate, leaf base sheathing, lamina much dissected, each lobes ovate, entire, obtuse, glabrous, reticulate, multicostate.
Inflorescence:
Dichasial cyme, bractcatc.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, complete, pentamerous, hypogynous, spirocyclic, pedicillatc.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous.quincuncial, slightly petaloid and boat shaped, caducous.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polysepalous, imbricate, yellow, each petal bears pocket shaped nectary, obovate entire.
Androecium:
Stamens – many, polyandrous, spirally arranged, filaments long, dithecous, basifixed, extrose.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-many, apocarpous, ovary superior, unilocular, one ascending ovule in each locule, style absent; stigma simple and sticky.
Fruit:
Etacrio of achenes.
Seed:
Small, albumin horny.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plant herbaceous, flowers with many free stamens and carpels, ovules one in each ovary in basal placentation, fruit 1-seeded achenes, seed small, albumen horny.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: RANUNCULACEAE.
Leaves simple, alternate, sepals and petals – 5 each, free, imbricate, ovule erect.
……. Hence the genus: Ranunculas;
Only one species recorded: sceleratus.
Name of the plant: Ranuculus sceleretus L.
Key Used:
Bengal plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen:
Flowering twigs supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be an erect, much branched herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Slightly woody, solid, terete with narrow ridges, green, glabrescent, divided into prominent internodes and nodes, without any exudate; internodes ± 2.0 cm long.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, exstipulate ; petiole ± 0.5 cm long, hairy ; lamina (± 3.0 x 2.0 cm) ovate to lanceolate, entire, acute, base cuneate, dorsiventral, green, pubescent above; unicostate-pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary spike, 5.0 – 7.0 cm long, peduncle ± 5.0 cm long; bracts and bracteoles paleaceous, 1 bract and 2 bracteoles for each flower.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous; bisexual, mono-chlamydeous, pentamerous; inconspicuous, 0.3 – 0.4 cm long.
Perianth:
Tepals 5, polyphylous, ovate to lanceolate, slightly concave, entire, acute, pinkish violet, scaly, quincuntial, persistent, nearly unchanged in fruit, 0.3 x 0.25 cm.
Androecium:
Stamens 5, free, all fertile, opposite to tepals, included; filaments slender, erect, glabrous; anthers bithecous, oblong, dorsifixed, longitudinally dehiscing, introrse, pollens powdery.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, globose, glabrous, 1 chambered with one amphitropous ovule in basal placentation, erect; style 1, terminal, bifid; stigmas 2, slightly curved, papillose.
Fruit:
Dry, indeshiscent, pericarp crustaceous, 1 – Seeded (i.e. a crustaceous nut), tipped with the dry style, enclosed in the persistent perianth.
Seed:
± globose, black; testa tough, feveolate; endosperm powdery ; embryo curved, with 2 long, thick, equal, narrow cotyledons.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbs with alternate, simple, exstipulate entire leaves; flowers in spike, bracteate, bisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous, pentamerous, mono-chlamydeous with dry-scarious perianth; Stamens 5, free; carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, 1 chambered, 1 ovule in basal placentation; style 1, terminal; fruit a crustaceous nut, tipped with dry persistent style and remain enclosed in the persistent perianth; embryo curved; endosperm powdery.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: AMARANTHACEAE.
Leaves alternate; anthers 2-celled.
Ovary one ovuled.
Ovules erect.
Flowers 2-sexual.
Flowers spicate; fruit a crustaceous nut
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Digera.
Only one species reported in the supplied key: arvensis.
Name of the plant: Digera arvensis Forsk.
Key Used:
Prain, D. 1903, Bengal Plants (2 vols.)
Specimen:
Collected from the college garden (growing as a weed)/Entire uprooted plants supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Terrestrial/Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect, branched, succulent herb.
Root:
Normal tap-root system with a few lateral branches.
Stem:
Solid, terete, obscurely ribbed, glabrescent, herbaceous, whitish or light green, lower portion of nodes and base of the stem pinkish, divided into nodes and internodes, length of internodes 1.3 – 2.8 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, exstipulate, lower leaves larger and upper ones gradually smaller; petiole slender, ± 3.0 cm long, glabrous; lamina 2.5 – 4.9 cm long, succulent, triangular ovate to lanceolate, irregularly serrate, shortly and shallowly sinuate, upper leaves gradually become entire, acute with a minute mucro, base cuspidate to attenuate, green, herbaceous, glausescent, dorsiventral; veins unicostate – reticulate with 3-4 pairs of nerves.
Inflorescence:
Terminal and axillary, branched, cymose-spike, flowers crowded; bracts minute, green, succulent.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, mono-chlamydeous, sessile, pentamerous, inconspicuous ± 0.15 cm in diam.
Perianth:
Tepals 5, equal, basally connate, succulent, margins hyaline, ovate, entire, obtuse or rounded, imbricate, enlarged in fruit (i.e. acrescent), 0.1 cm long.
Androecium:
Stamens 5, opposite to tepals, included, filaments shorter than tepals, slender, glabrous; anthers bithecous, basifixed, dehiscing longitudinally; pollens granular, powdery, white.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous, superior, globose, slightly tapering in both ends, one-chambered with one basal campylotropous ovule; styles 2, terminal, short; stigma minute, continuous, feathery.
Fruit:
Globose achene, green, glabrous, 1 – seeded, tipped with dry persistant style, enclosed by enlarged, fleshy, persistent perianth ; indehiscant, pericap succulent.
Seed:
Globose, testa blackish-brown, smooth; raphae slightly deep-seated; embryo curved, almost annular; endosperm mealy.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with simple alternate, exstipulate leaves. Flowers in cymose spikes, inconspicuous, actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual; tepals 5, succulent, green; stamens five; carpels 2, syncarpous, ovary’ 1-chambered, containing one basal Ovule; stigmas as many as carpels, terminal; achene remain covered by persistent, enlarged, fleshy perianal.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the-family: CHENOPODIACEAE.
Flowers usually bisexual; perianths all alike. Root not tuberous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Chenopodium
Scentless herbs: Not as above (i.e. top foliage not bright violet-red). Seed smooth, shining.
……. Hence, the species of the specimen: album.
Name of the plant: Chenopodium album L.
Key Used:
Srivastava, T. N. 1976. Flora Gorakhpurensis.
Specimen No. 13. Date:
[Aerva lanata (L.) Juss ex Schult = Aerua lanata L.]
Specimen:
Collected from the College campus.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Suffrutescent, root-stock rigid; branches annual, erect, ± 45.0 cm.
Root:
Normal, much branched, tap-root system.
Stem:
Solid, terete, lower stem slightly woody, upper portion herbaceous, green, white-tomentose, divided into nodes and internodes, length of internodes 1 – 2 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, spiral with 2/5 – plyllotaxy, exstipulate, sparsely woolly throughout, lower leaves much larger, 2.0 – 2.5 cm long, gradually smaller upwards in the flowering shoot: petiole very short 0.1 – 0.2 cm; lamina ovate, entire, rounded to acute with a short mucro, base gradually narrowed to the petiole, dorsiventral, herbaceous, green ; veins unicostate – reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, dense and compact spike, ± 0.5 cm long branching from the base; bracts and bractoles minute, subulate or lanceolate, scarious, white-tomentose.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, monochlamydeous, inconspicuous, ± 0.08 cm in diam. and ± 0.1 cm in length, pentamerous, cyclic.
Perianth:
Tepals 5, united at the bases (gamophylous), scarious, lanceolate, entire, acute, inner ones bear a green mid-rib, thickly white-tomentose, ± 0.1 cm in length; imbricate; persistent.
Androecium:
Fertile stamens 5, alternating with staminodes, basally united to form a cup-like
structure covering half of the ovary; staminodes almost equally long to the normal filament; filaments glabrous, included; anthers bithecous, dorsifixed, introrse, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, one chambered, one campylotropous ovule suspended from a basal placenta, funiculus longer than the ovule; outer integument slightly smaller; style ± terminal, short, persistent; stigmas two, erect.
Fruit:
One-seeded pyxis with circumscissile dehiscence, persistent perianth unchanged, covering the fruit.
Seed:
Discoid, slightly compressed, raphae circular; testa tough, shiny, black ; endosperm copious; embryo curved with two, long, equal and fleshy cotyledons.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with alternate; exstipulate, entire leaves; flowers in dense spike, bracteate, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous; fertile stamens 5, united in a tube below the fruit; carpels (2), ovary superior; ovule one in basal placentation. Fruit a pyxis with cirumsessile-dehiscence; testa tough and shiny; endosperm copious; embryo curved.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: AMARNTHACEAE.
Ovary 1-ovuled. Leaves alternate.
Ovule suspended from a slender basal funicle.
Anthers 2-celled.
Flowers with staminodes.
Sepals hyaline-woolly, leaves alternate:
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Aerva.
Spikes all axillary. Leaves. 5″ – 1″ long broad.
……. So, the determined species: lanata.
Name of the plant: Aerva lanata (L.) Juss ex Schult.
Key Used:
Haines, H. H. 1924, The Botany of Bihar and Orissa (3 vols.)
Specimen No. 14. Date:
[Cleome viscosa L.]
Specimen:
Collected from the College garden (an weed).
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect herb, ± 45.0 cm tall, much branched, appears to be an annual.
Root:
Normal tap-root system, secondary and tertiary roots many.
Stem:
Solid, terete, obscurely many-ribbed, herbaceous, densely glandular-pubescent with viscid secretions, without any exudate, slightly foetid-smelling, green throughout, mature internodes 2.5 to 4.5 cm long.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, palmately 3-5 foliolate, upper ones generally 3 foliolate ; petiole erect, glandular pubescent, forming ± 55° angle with stem, ± 0.2 cm thick and 2.0 – 4.2 am long, green terminal leaflet largest, very shortly petiolulate, ± 4.4 x 2.2 cm, broadly lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate, entire, acute, base cuneate; lateral two medium minutely petiolulate, ± 3.7 x 1.7 cm unequal sided, ovate to broadly lanceolate, entire or slightly uneven, acute or shortly acuminate, base oblique – cuneate, lower pair like median ones, smallest minutely petiolulate, ± 2.2 x 1.0 cm ; all leaflets green, hispidly pubescent, dorsi ventral, herbaceous, with unicostate reticulate venation.
Inflorescence:
Solitary-axillary but gradually turns into a terminal raceme with foliaceous bracts and no bracteole.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, dichlamydeous, tetramerous, cyclic, day blooming, not scented, ± 0.7 cm in diam.
Calyx:
Sepals 4, polysepalous, equal, ± 0.7 x 0.28 cm, oblong-lanceolate, entire, acute, thin, 3-nerved from the base, yellowish-green, glandular-pubescent outside, valvate, deciduous.
Corolla:
Petals 4, polypetalous, equal, shortly clawed, 1.1 x 0.4 cm with 0.3 cm claw, obovate, entire, glabous, yellow, vein-markings distinct, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens 14-18, polyandrous, inserted on an annular disc directly on the thalamus, nearly equal, included, deciduous ; filaments erect, white, glabrous, ± 0.7 cm long, narrow; anthers narrowly oblong, ± 0.32 cm long, basifixed, bithecous; connective not produced ; pollens granular, white.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous, inserted on the thalamus ; ovary superior, terete, ± 0.8 cm long, tip tapering into the style, light green, glandular hairy, 1-chambered ; ovules numerous, on 2 parietal placentae, campylotropous ; style ± 0.07 cm, terminal, erect, glabrous, white ; stigma discoid.
Floral Formula:
Fruit:
Capsule ± 8.0 x 0.4 cm, base slightly tapering but much tapering towards the tip with enlarged and persistent style, terete with numerous ridges, green, glandular hairy, 1-loculed.
Seed:
Numerous, reniform, ± 0.15 cm in diam., slightly compressed; testa with fine transverse striations, brownish black, tough; embryo curved, with two equal cotyledons; ex-endospermous.
Identification:
A herb, leaves alternate, inflorescence racemose, flowers actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual ; bracts foliaccous, sepals 4, polysepalous, equal; petals 4, polypetalous, clawed, imbricate ; stamens inserted on the thalamus 14 – 18, ± equal, all fertile, anthers basifixed ; ovary 1 celled, ovules numerous on 2 parietal placentae, style short ; stigma discoid, fruit capsular, 1 – chambered, seeds reniform, ex-endospermous; embryo curved.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CAPPARIDACEAE.
Herbs; fruit capsular.
Stamens sessile on the disc.
……. So, the genus is: Cleome.
Leaves compound.
Stamens 10 or more, capsule glandular – pubescent, flowers yellow…………… So, the species is: viscosa.
So, the name of the plant: Cleome viscosa L.
Key used:
Flora of the Presidency of Bombay (3 vols.): T. Cooke (1901 – 1903).
Specimen No. 15. Date:
[Rivina humilis L.]
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial (as the specimen was supplied in the laboratory).
Habit:
Erect, much branched herb.
Root:
Normal, much branched, tap-foot system.
Stem:
Solid, terete, glabrous, green, absence of any exudate, divided into distinct nodes and internodes, length of internodes 1.5 – 4.0 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, sometimes falsely opposite towards the apex, exstipulate ; petioles 1.5 – 2.5 cm narrow, brownish green, hairy on the upper side ; lamina ovate to ovate-lanceolate,-entire, slightly repund, acuminate, base shortly cuneate, dorsiventral, both surfaces glabrous, herbaceous ; veins unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Many flowered terminal raceme, lower portion completely naked and devoid of any node; bracts minute, subulate, scaly, deciduous.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, mono-chlamydeous tetramerous, cyclic ± 0.4 cm in diam., pedicels slender, ± 0.4 cm long.
Perianth:
Tepals 4, polyphylous, arranged cross-wise in two whorls, narrowly oblong (± 0.3 cm long), entire, rounded, pinkish-white at the tip, persistent, turns green in fruit, quincuntial.
Androecium:
Stamens 4, antitepalous ; filaments free, slightly shorter than tepals, glabrous, persistent, turns green in fruit, anthers bilobed, oblong, basifixed, dehiscence longitudinal, pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 4, syncarpous, ovary superior, globose, glabrous, 1-chambered with one orthotropous ovule in basal placentation ; style terminal, slightly curved, glabrous; stigma 4 – lobed.
Fruit:
Small, globose, one-seeded berry with dry style at the tip, pericarp attached to the testa ; persistent tepals not enlarged but filaments slightly broadened.
Seed:
Globose with circular raphe; testa crutaceous, feveolate ; embryo curved, almost ring-like ; cotyledons two, thick and white.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbs ; leaves alternate, petiolate, exstipulate, flowers bisexual in terminal, many flowered racemes; pedicel slender; bracts subulate ; tepals 4, free, coloured, do not enlarge in fruit; stamens 4, antitepalous ; ovary one-chambered with solitary basal ovule ; style simple.
Hence the plant belong to the family: PHYTOLACCACEAE.
The flora records only one genus for the family: Rivina.
The flora records only one species for the genus: humilis.
Name of the plant: Rivina humilis L.
Key Used:
Prain, D. 1903. Bengal Plants, (2 vols.).
Specimen No. 16.
[Rorippa indica (L.) Hieren = Sisymbrium indicium L., = Nasturtium indicum (L) DC.]
Specimen:
Entire uprooted plants Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A small rosette plant with many radiating leaves, flowering stem erect; branches many, decumbent; appears to be an annual herb.
Root:
Normal tap-root system, long, lateral branches much smaller.
Stem:
Not recognisable in young plants (before bolting), internodes highly condensed or suppressed.
In flowering shoot: nearly terete with few incomplete ridges and furrows, solid, herbaceous, green, with no exudate, glabrous, internodes 2.0 to 5.5 cm long.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, exstipulate, lyrate, radical and cauline, sessile, much variable, radical leaves larger.
Inflorescence:
Terminal racemes, 3 – 8 cm long, many flowered.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, tetramerous, hexacyclic, dichlamydeous, ebracteate, minute ; pedicel ± 0.2 cm long, ± 0.4 cm in fruit, erect, green, glabrous.
Calyx:
Sepals 4 in 2 rows, polysepalous, equal, inferior, oblong, entire, rounded, ± 0.25 x 0.04 cm, glabrous, green, tips blackish brown, imbricate, deciduous or late deciduous.
Corolla:
Petals 4, polypetalous, equal, slightly larger than sepals, cruciform, claw short, limb nearly erect, yellow, 1-veined, imbricate, deciduous, petal sometime absent.
Androecium:
Stamens 2 + 4, (tetradynamous), inferior, outer 2 slightly larger and lateral, decidous ; filaments erect 0.2 and 0.18 cm long respectively, white, glabrous ; anthers oblong, bithecous, dorsifixed ; dehiscing longitudinally ; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous ; ovary 1, superior, terete, ± 0.17 cm long, glabrous, 1 – chambered in bud, 2-chambered in flower and fruit by the development of a placental wall (replum); ovuies campylotropous, 2-parietal placentae ; style terminal, very stout; stigma small, capitate, papillose.
Fruit:
Siliqua, ± 3.0 cm long and 0.1 cm broad, slightly curved, opens by two lateral and deciduous valves, replum persistent, many seeded.
Seed:
Glabrous, small, exalbuminous; embryo large, cotyledons 2, large, thick, radicle curved.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Small rosette herb, leaves exstipulate ; lyrate ; flowers in racemes, actinomorphic, hypogynous, telramerous, speals 4; corolla cruciform; petals with claw and limb; stamens tetradynamous ; carpels 2 ; ovary one chambered, many campylotropous ovules in 2 – rows on each of the 2-prietal placentae, becomes 2-chambered on maturity with replum ; fruit many seeded siliqua, seeds exalbuminous.
Hence the family: CRUCIFERAE (= BRASSICACEAE).
Pods dehiscing.
Pods narrow, long.
Pods bearing seeds and dehiscing throughout their length; sepals not pouched at the base, pods almost cylindric; seeds globose, 2-seriate, flowers yellow.
……. Hence the plant belong to the genus: Rorippa.
Pods long, narrow, at least twice as long as the pedicels : Flowers without bracts hence the species: indica.
Name of the plant: Rorippa indica (L.) Hieren.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Brain (1903).
Specimen No. 17. Date:
[Brassica napus L.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, soft, terete, greenish, with distinct nodes and internode, branching alternate, juice pungent.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, sessile, simple, alternate, lyrate, serrate, acute, glabrous, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Racemose, raceme, axillary or terminal, ebracteate.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, complete, hypogynous, tetramerors, pedialate.
Calyx:
Sepals – 4, polysepalons, imbricate, deciduous, saccate at base, greenish.
Corolla:
Petals – 4, polypetalons, cruciform, distinctly clawed at the base, valvate, yellow.
Androecium:
Stamens – 6, free, tetradynamous (2 outer and 4 inner), filament long, anther bi-celled, basifixed, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, ovary superior, 2-celled by a placental replum, ovules many in parietal placentation ; style short, stigma simple, capitate.
Fruit:
Dry, dehiscent, elongated capsule (siliqua).
Seed:
Globose, exalbuminous ; cotyledons 2, thick.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants herbacious ; leaves simple, alternate, lyrate, reticulate, unicostate ; inflorescence raceme, ebracteate, flower; bisexual, complete, regular ; sepals – 4, free, imbricate, petals – 4, cruciform, clawed, stamens – 6, tetradynamous, carpels – 2, syncarpous, superior, ovules in parietal placentation, fruit long dehising capsule (siliqua), seeds-globose.
……. Hence the plant belongs to family: CRUCIFERAE (BRASSICACEAE).
Pods dehiscing, narrow long, seed 1 – seriate, flower yellow. Hence the genus: Brassica.
Leaves of the stem auriculate, leaves without hairs, less lobed.
……. Hence the species: nap us .
Name of the plant: Bassica napus L
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 18. Date:
[Fumaria indica Linn.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, cylindrical to fistular, smooth, green, with distinct nodes and internodes.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, compound-, petielate, alternate, leaf base seathing, leaflets narrow, entire, acute, glabrous, reticulate, unicostate, latex present.
Inflorescence:
Raceme, axillary or terminal, bracteate.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, bisexual, complete, pedicellate, hypogynous purple – pink, nectars present, dimerous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 2, polysepalous, valvate membranous, placed anterio-posteriorly, caducous.
Corolla:
Petals – 4, in 2 whorls of 2 each, petals of the outer whorl are large and one of the outer lateral petal spurred, petals of the inner whorl smaller and placed anterio-posteriorly, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens in 2 groups, each group possesses 1/2 + 1 + 1/2 anthers, polyandrous, filament broad at the base, narrow above, anther basifixed, extrose.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular, ovules many in each chamber, placentation parietal, style long, and stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Dry, dehiscent, capsular.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plant herbaceous, with alternate exstipulate leaves, calyx caducous, flowers transversely zygomorphic, dimerous; gynoecium bicarpellary, fruit capsular.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: FUMARIACEAE.
Only one genus recorded in the supplied flora.
……. Hence the genus: Fwnaria.
There is only one species.
……. Hence the species: indica.
Name of the plant: Fumaria indica L.
Key Used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prair. (1903).
Specimen No. 19. Date:
(Croton bonplandianum Baill. = C. sparsiflorum Morong.]
Specimen:
Collected from the college campus.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Small, erect, herb; branches falsely whorled.
Root:
Normal, much branched, tap-root system.
Stem:
Solid, lower portion woody, terete, green with milky latex, covered with short stalked, rough, white, stellate hairs; lower internodes much longer, 1.0 to 7.0 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, crowded towards the tips of branches (i.e., falsely whorled), exstipulate; petiole short, ± 0.8 cm. long, densely stellate-hairy, with 2 glands at the tip below, lamina ovate-lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, base alternate to rounded, herbaceous, green, dorsiventral, glabrous above, lower surface with few scattered stellate-hairs ; venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Terminal mixed racemes (catkin-like but erect), monoecious; female flowers few towards the base, generally solitary,-male flowers numerous, arranged in few flowered, bracteate dusters, bracts minute, oblong, acute, hairy, green.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, unisexual, pentamerous, diclamydeous.
Male Flower Calyx:
Sepals 5, polysepalous, small, ovate, acute, green, 1 nerved, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals 5, smaller than sepals, alternating with sepals, ovate-oblong, acute, greenish white, valvate.
Androecium:
Stamens many, free, inserted on the receptacle, indexed in bud, straight in dower, filaments slender, glabrous ; anther bithecous, adnate, lobes parallel, pollen powdery, white.
Gynoecium:
Pistillode absent.
Female Flower Calyx:
Sepals 5, polysepalous, green, ovate, acute, 1-nerved, imbricate, persistent.
Corolla:
Absent.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 3, syncarpous; disc annular, ovary superior, oblong, 3-lobed, glandular-hairy, 3-chambered, with one pendulous ovule in each chamber on axile placenta; styles 3, bifid, stigmas feathery.
Fruit:
Regma, with persistent style and perianth, stellate hairy throughout, breaks into three 1 seeded cocci, endocafp horny.
Seed:
Tipped with a small, cup-like, white caruncle, oblong with a longitudinal nerve; embryo straight with two thin cotyledons; endosperm plenty, fleshy.
Floral Formula:
Male:
Female:
Identification:
Small herb with latex ; leaves simple, alternate, inflorescence catkin-like, with female flowers towards the base and males on the upper portion ; accessory whorls minute, stamens many ; carpels 3, syncarpous ; ovary superior, 3-lobed, 3- chambered, one ovule in each chamber on axile placenta ; styles 3 ; stigmas bifid ; seeds carunculate, endospermous ; embryo straight.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: EUPHORBIACEAE.
Flowers not in cyathia ; Cells of ovary 1-ovuled ; Petals present in one sex,
Petals smaller than calyx, often 0 in female ; leaves not lobed.
……. So, the plant belong to the genus: Croton.
Herb ; stamens many.
……. Hence, the species: bonplandinum.
Name of the plant: Croion bonplandianum Baill.
Key Used:
Flora Gorakhpurensis (1976), by T. N. Srivastava.
Specimen No. 20. Date:
[Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Under shrub.
Habit:
Appears to be a shrub.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, terete, woody, with watery latex, branched, with distinct nodes and internodes, upper portions reddish, while lower portion green, surface glandular hairy.
Leaf:
Petiolate, alternate, simple, stipule, multifid, lamina, lobed, elliptic-ovate, serrulate, acute, glaucous, with many glandular hairs, reticulate multicostate, divergent, coriaceous.
Inflorescence:
Paniculate cyme, terminal or axillary, bracteate.
Flower:
Pedicillate, incomplete, actinomorphic, unisexual, monoecious.
Male Flower:
Pentamerous, cyclic, 5 nectariferous discs present alternating to petals.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous, quincuncial, persistent, margin glandular, ovate, acute, green.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, twisted, redish.
Androecium:
Stamen – 10, in two whorls of five each, slightly united at the base only, stamens of outer whorl alternate with the sepals ; filament short, anther bi-celled, dorsifixed, introse.
Gynoecium:
Absent.
Female Flower:
Pentamerous, hypogynous, a nectariferous disc present below the ovary.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous, quincuncial, persistant, ovate, acute, green.
Corrolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, twisted, scarlet.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpel – 3, syncarpous, ovary superior, trilocular, placentation axile with one ovule in each locule ; styles – 3 ; stigma – 3 and each bifid.
Fruit:
Simple, dry, dehiscent, regma, splitting into.3 cocci; seed with fleshy albumen.
Floral Formula
Male Flower:
Female Flower:
Identification:
Plant under shrub, leaves alternate, stem with latex, flower unisexual, actinomorphic, polypetalous, stamens free mostly, carpel – 3, united, superior, ovules in axile placentation fruit dehiscent capsular type.
……..Hence the plant belongs to the family: EUPHORBIACEAE.
Flowers monoecious, stamen bi-seriate, stamens of the outer alternate with sepals, flower in terminal cymes, leaves digitately lobed, central flower female.
Hence the genus: Jatropha.
Flower reddish purple, leaves palmately lobed, stipules glandular.
Hence the species: gossypifolia.
Name of the plant: Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by.D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 21.
[Phyllanthus fraternus Webster = P. niruri Linn.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect, branching herbs, suffrutescent.
Root:
Tap root and lateral branches present.
Stem:
Solid, terete, smooth, green, with distinct nodes and internodes, branching at nodes ; branches two types
(a) Long branches with scale leaves;
(b) Dwarf branches with normal leaves.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate ; stipules free lateral ; scale leaves on long branches minute, blackish, stiff, acuminate ; leaves on dwarf branches elliptic, entire, obtuse, glabrous, sub-sessile, green, glaucous beneath, unicostate-reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary fascicles, axillary on dwarf branches, exposed towards the ventral side.
Flower:
Unisexual, incomplete, superior, actinomorphic, trimerous; greenish, small, monodelphous,
Male Flower:
Ebracteate, short pedicellate, trimerous, cyclic, glandular disc present.
Perianth:
Tepals – 6, polyphyllous, present in two whorls (three in each whorl), imbricate, greenish, paired nectaries lies at the base of the tepals of inner whorl only.
Androecium:
Stamens – 3, monadelphous, filaments fused to form a staminal column, monothecous, basifixed, extrose; pollens powdery, white.
Gynoecium:
Absent.
Female Flower:
Pedicellate, incomplete, actinomorphic, trimerous, hypogynous, cyclic, lies at the upper part of the fascicle, glandular disc present.
Perianth:
Tepals – 6, polyphyllous, arranged in two whorls of 3 each imbricate, margins membranous.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 3, syncarpous, ovary superior, trilocular, with two ovules in each locules, placentation axile, style short with trifid, each branch forked sticky sigma.
Fruit:
Dry dehiscent, capsule; albumen fleshy.
Floral Formula
Male Flower:
Female Flower:
Identification:
Plant herbaceous, leaf alternate, stipulate, flower unisexual, trimerous, actinomorphic, cyclic ; perianth 3+3, free, imbricate; stamen monodelphous at the base, carpels – 3, superior, ovules in axile placentation, style rudimentary ; stigma trifid, sticky ; fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family EUPHORBIACEAE.
Flower monoecius, stamen in one whorl, ovary cells 2 – ovuled, flower solitary, corolla absent in both sexes, style rudimentary, stigmas free, stamen connate at the base, disc present in both sexes.
……. Hence the genus: Phyllanthus.
Sepals 6 in both sexes; stamens 3, filaments united ; stipules simple, flower axillary, short pedicelled, stipule simple.
……. Hence the species: fraternus,
Name of the plant: Phyllanthus fraternus Webster.
Key Used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 22. Date:
[Side acuta Burm. F, = S. carpinifolia L.F.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial (as the specimen was supplied in the laboratory).
Habit:
An annual herb, slightly woody below, about 45 cm. tall.
Root:
Normal, much branched tap-root system.
Stem:
Solid, terete, slightly woody, base woody and much rigid, bark fibrous, mucilaginous, minutely stellately hairy and pubescently greenish with brownish shade in some parts ; divided into nodes and inter-nodes, length of mature internodes varies from 1.5 to 3.1 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate (2/5th phyllotaxy), shortly petiolate, stipulate ; stipules free lateral, narrowly lanceolate, entire, hairy, longer than petiole. One stipule much narrower than the other ; petiole much shorter than lamina, 0.4 to 0.6 cm long ; lamina ovate-lanceolate, double serrate, acute, base rounded to cuneate, dorsiventral, both surfaces minutely hairy, green ; veins palmately-reticulate, 3-nerved at the base.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, cymose, solitary ; peduncle smaller than pedicel; pedicels slightly longer than petiole, bracts normal leaf-like (foliaceous).
Flower:
Actionomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, complete, dichlamydeous, pentamerous, forenoon flowering.
Calyx:
Sepals 5, gamosepalous, urncd till little above the middle, campanulate, persistent, teeth broadly ovate, entire, acute, with one prominent nerve, slightly winged at the places of union, green, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals 5, polypetalous, rosaceous, yellow ; attached to the base of staminal column, obovate, entire, tip oblique, with a very short claw, reticulately veined, glabrous ; twisted to the right.
Androecium:
Stamens numerous, monadelphous, terminal portions free ; staminal tube enclosing the gynoecium ; anthers reniform, 1-locular, transversely extrose, dehiscing transversely ; pollens spheroidal, pantoporate with spinous exine.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 10 (actually 6-10, it varies) syncarpous ; ovary superior, 10-lobed, ovate, 10-chambered in t.s. with ovules on axile placenta, in 1.s. each chamber shows 1 ovule, pendulous ; style one, terminal, passing through the staminal column and then divided into 10 branches ; stigmas (ten) capitate, papillate.
Fruit:
Septicidal capsule, breaks into 10-mericarps, each being one-seeded, dehiscent, pericarp crustaceous.
Seed:
Globose, endospermous, embryo dicotyledonous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants with fibrous and mucilagenous bark ; leaves alternate with free lateral stipules, multicostate – reticulately veined ; flowers in axillary cymose solitary inflorescence, hypogynous, di-plochlamydeous ; stamens numerous, monadelphous; anthers monothecous, reniform ; carpels 10, syncarpous, ovary 10 chambered, placentation axile, style passing through the staminal tube with branches as many as carpels ; stigmas capitate.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: MALVACEAE.
Leaves simple, entire; sepals leafy, carpels separating from the axis when ripe as indehiscent cocci.
Styles as many as carpels:
Bracteoles 0; ripe carpels after separating dehiscent ; carpels without a false dissepiment; ovules solitary, pendulous; carpels 1-seeded; forenoon flowering plants with small leaves and flowers.
……Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Sida.
Leaves cuneate at base
Carpels crustaceous ; branches never spinescent; leaves always cuneate at base ; stipules longer than the petioles, leaves nearly glabrous, narrow, acuminate, serrate ; pedunclc jointed in the middle as long as petiole ; carpels 5, awned.
……. Hence, the species : acuta.
Name of the plant: Sida acuta Burm.
Key Used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 23. Date:
[Malachra capitata Linn.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect herbs with profuse branching.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, herbaceous, terete, hairy, with distinct nodes and internodes, branching at nodes, presence of slimy materials.
Leaf:
Petiolate, alternate, simple, spitules free lateral, lamina cordate to ovate, entire, acute, coriaceous, alternate, reticulate, unicostate, hairs stellate.
Inflorescence:
Solitary, axillary, cyme, bracteate, bracts and bractioles present, crowded.
Flower:
Actinmorphic, bisexual, hypogynous, yellowish.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, connate below, valvate, hairy, persistent, broadly ovate, entire, acute, green.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, twisted, adnate to the base of the staminal tube, yellow, obovate.
Androecium:
Stamens – many, connate in a short tube (staminal tube), filaments short, anther unicelled, reniform, dehisces transversely.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 5, syncarpous, superior, ovules solitary in each cell, placentation axile; styles – 10, stigmas – terminal, capitate.
Fruit:
Dry, capsular, cells separating from the axis.
Seed:
Solitary in each carpel, reniform.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants herbaceous, leaves alternate, stipulate, petiolate; flower crowded at tips ; corolla lobes twisted, androecium many, monadelphous, carpels – 5, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation.
Hence the plant belongs to the family: MALVACEAE.
Leaves simple, style twice as many as carpels, bracteoles intermixed with flowers, flower yellowish.
……. Hence the genus: Malachra.
There is only one species in the flora.
……. Hence the species: capitata.
Name of the plant: Malachra capitata Linn.
Key Used:
Bengal Plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain, 1903.
Specimen No. 24. Date:
[Kleinhovia hospita L.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be a twig of a woody plant.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, terete, woody, with distinct nodes and internodes with no exudate.
Leaf:
Alternate, petiolate, stipules free lateral simple, lamina ovate to cordate, entire, actute, glabrous, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Cymose, axillary or terminal, breacteate many flowered.
Flower:
Actinomormic, bisexual, complete, hypogynous, pentamerous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous, valvate, lanceolate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, valvate, flat, deciduous, unequal.
Androecium:
Stamens – many, united into five main clusters which again form a monadelphous bundles, anther bi-celled, divergent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 5, syncarpous, superior, ovary five 5-chambered with few ovules in each locules in axile placentation, style terminal, single and bulges near the apex, encircled by the staminal column ; stigma capitate.
Fruit:
Simple, dchiscent, capsular, inflated pyriform.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants woody tree, leaves alternate, simple, stipulate, flower regular, bisexual in terminal or axillary cymes ; sepals – 5, free, valvate, petals – 5, free, valvate, stamens many, united with to monadelphous bundles below ; anther bi-celled, carpels – 5, syncarpous, superior,ovules in axile placentation; fruit dry, dehiscent capsule.
….Hence the plant belongs to the family: STERCULIACEAE.
Flower bisexual, petals deciduous, unequal, fruit capsule, inflated pyriform.
…Hence the genus: Kleinhovia.
Only one species in the genus.
…Hence the species: hospita.
Name of the plant: Kleinhovia hospita L.
Key used:
Flora of British India. (7 volumes) by J. D. Hooker.
Specimen No. 25.
[Guazuma tomentosa Kunth.] Date:
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory with a small flower twig.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A woody twig of a probable tree or shrubby plant.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, terete, woody, with distinct nodes and internodes hairy.
Leaf:
Petiolate, alternate, simple, stipules free lateral, lamina, lanceolate, serrate, acute, tomentose, coriaceous, oblique, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in cymes, axillary or terminal, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, actinomorphic, complete, hypogynous, cyclic
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous, spathaceous, 5-fid, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, twisted, concave at the base, divided above into 2 narrow strap-shaped parts.
Androecium:
Stamens – many, connate in a tubular column, 5 staminodes opposite the sepals alternating with bundles each of usually 3 fertile stamens; anthers 2-lobed, lobes diverging, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 5, syncarpous, superior, ovary sessile, 5-lobed and 5-locular, few ovules in each locule, placentation axile, styles more or less connate, stigma capitate.
Fruit:
Dry, dehiscent, woody, oblong, tubercled capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants woody tree, leaves alternate, simple, stipulate, flower regular, bisexual in axillary or terminal cymes ; sepals – 5, free ; petals – 5, free, stamens in two whorls, monadelphous, another bi-celled, carpels – 5, syncarpous, superior, ovules in axile placentation, fruit dry, dehiscent capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family. STERCULIACEAE.
Flower bisexual, petals concave at the base, appendaged at the tip; stamens in two whorls, outer staminodia alternates with inner fertile stamens, each with 2-3 stamens together; petals with 2 narrow strap-shaped appendages above ; capsule globular, woody and tuberculated.
…..Hence the Genus: Guazwna.
Only species within this genus.
……. Hence the species: tomentosa.
Name of the plant: Guazuma tomentosa Kunth.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 volumes; by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 26. Date:
[Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) DC. =Glycosmis pentaphylla Correa.]
Specimen:
A short flower twig is collected from the roadside waste land.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Under shrubs.
Root:
Not collected.
Stem:
Solid, terete, woody, with distinct nodes and internodes, branching alternate, greenish.
Leaf:
Petiolate, exstipulate, alternate, compound imparipinnate, 1-5 foliolate lamina, ovate, entire, acute, glabrous, reticulate, unicostate, gland-dotted, aromatic.
Inflorescence:
Cymose particles, axillary or terminal, ebracteate.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous, cyclic, pedicellate, pejitamerous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, imbricate, glandular, deciduous, lobes rounded.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, imbricate, glandular, fleshy, white, oblong, rounded.
Androecium:
Stamens – 10, free, obdiplostemonous inserted outside the ovarian disc, anther bi-celled, basifixed, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 5, syncarpous, superior, ovary 5-celled, situated on a disc, ovary connate at the base with disc p single ovule in axile placentation, style short, terminal, stigma capitate.
Fruit:
Fleshy, indehiscent, hesperidium, whitish on ripening.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants shrubby ; leaves alternate, compound, exstipulate, gland dotted, aromatic ; inflorescence cymose, flowers – regular bisexual, superior with 5 free petals in imbricate aestivation ; stamens – 10, free in two whorl, obdiplostemons, anther bi-celled ; carpels – 5, syncarpous, ovary, superior placed on a disc, ovules in axile placentation ; fruit hesperidium.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: RUTACEAE.
Flower bisexual, ovule solitary in each locules, leaf 1-foliolate to pinnate, fruit indehiscent, style short.
……. Hence the genus: Glycosmis.
Ovary connate at the base with disc.
…..Hence the species: pentaphylla.
Name of the plant: Glycosmis pentaphylla Corr.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 volumes): by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 27. Date:
[Evolvulus nummularius L.]
Specimen:
Uprooted plant with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Procumbent herb with numerous radiating branches rooting from the nodes (runners).
Root:
Normal tap-root system, herbaceous, slender (± 0.05 cm in diam.), green, densely pilose, with no exudate; internodes 0.2 to 1.3 cm long.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate (distichous), exstipulate ; petiole ± 0.04 cm. pilose ; lamina nearly orbicular or slightly oblong-orbicular, entire, rounded, basal lobes rounded, herbaceous, green, dorsiventra), both surfaces glabrous; unicostatereticulate with 3 – 4 lateral veins, elevated below.
Inflorescence:
1 – 4 flowered cymose fascicle ; axillary, sessile, only one flower blooms at a time pedicels short, ± 0.25 cm long, bent downwards in fruit.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, tetracylic, dichlamydeous, ebracteatc, small, ± 0.7 cm in diam.
Calyx:
Sepals 5, polysepaloues, sub-equal, lanceolate, entire, acute, thin, green, with a prominent mid vein, pilose, quincuncial, persistent but remain unaltered in fruit.
Corolla:
Petals 5, gamopetalous (± rotate but with a slightly conical tube) white, ± 0.7 cm. wide at the face, tube ± 0.4 cm. long, pilose below, glabrous above (and within the tube), plicate-twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens 5, epipetalous, included, alternating with petal lobes, deciduous ; filaments slender, inserted near the base of corolla tube, erect, white, ± 0.3 cm long, glabrous ; anthers oblong, bithecous, dorsifixed, white, with longitudinal dehiscence; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous ; ovary superior, globose, glabrous, 1-chambered ; ovules 4, anatropous, attached near the base on free basal placenta ; styles 2, unequal, free almost to the base, ± 0.2 cm long, terete, white, glabrous ; stigmas 2 for each style, ± 0.5 cm long, linear – very slender, white, inner surface minutely papillose.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule, 4-seeded, ± 0.25 cm in diam., brownish – gray on ripening, partially covered with persistent calyx.
Seed:
Back rounded, inner sides flattened, angled ; testa tough, brownish, embryo curved, radicle straight, cotyledons twice folded, first half flat, second half narrow, yellowish ; endosperm fleshy, scanty.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A trailer ; leaves alternate, exstipulate, simple; flowers actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual ; sepals 5, polysepalous ; petals 5, united ; stamens 5, epipetalous to the base of corolla lube ; ovary 1 chambered, 4 anatropous ovules on free-basal placenta ; style forked from the base ; stigmas simple, seeds with little endosperm and a curved embryo bearing two folded cotyledons.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: CONVOLVULACEAE.
Corolla-tuba usually uniformly enlarged from base to apex, the 5 bands on the lobes rarely clearly defined from the intervening spaces.
Green, non-parasitic, leafy herbs, fruit dehiscent, small.
Flowers in cymes ; capsule valvate : styles 2, free ; sepals not enlarging in fruit, corolla-lobes induplicate-contorted ; flowers cymose; stamens not exerted :
Capsule 4-valved – 1 locular, 4 seeded, styles quite free, each 2-branched ; stigmas along inner face of style arms :
……. Hence the plant belongs to the genus: Evolvulus.
Leaves almost orbicular, subcordate, all parts green, sparingly hairy; flowers pure white ; corolla opaque ; branches prostrate, rooting at the nodes ;
……. Hence, the species: nummularius.
Name of the plant: Evolvulus nummularis L.
Flora Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 28. Date:
[Ipomea fistulosa Mart. ex. Choisy = I. carnea Jacq.]
Specimen:
A twig with flowers supplied-in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Undershrub.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, erect, terete, woody, glabrous and green, with milky latex, distinct nodes and internodes present, lower portion fistular.
Leaf:
Petiolate, exstipulate, alternate, simple, ovate cordate, entire, acute, glabrous, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Dichasial cyme, axillary, bracteate.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, complete, pedicellate, hypogynous, pentamerous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous, quincuncial, persistent, fleshy, green.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, infundibuliform, induplicate valvate, large, showy.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, polyandrous, epipetalous, filaments unequal (3 small, 2 large), anther sagitate, dithecous, basifixed, introsc.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, ovary superior, bilocular, 2 ovules in each locules, placentation axile, style long, stigma dumbbell-shaped, a hypogynous annular nectar secreting disc present.
Fruit:
Simple, dry, dehiscent, capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Somewhat woody stem with latex ; simple, alternate, exstipulate leaves, pentamous, regular bisexual flower, gamopetalous corolla with bicarpellary, syncarpous, superior ovary, ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CONVOLVULACEAE.
Corolla infundibuliform, stamens arising directly from the corolla tube, fruit dehiscent.
…:Hence the genus: Ipornea.
Stigma dumbell-shaped, presence of a hypogynous annular nectar secreting disc, leaves long petiolate, somewhat cordate, lower of the stem fistular.
……. Hence the species: fistulosa.
Name of the plant: Ipomeafistulosa Mart ex. Choisy.
Key used:
Flora of British India (7 volumes) by J. D. Hooker.
Specimen No. 29. Date:
[Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R. Br.]
Specimen:
Uprooted plant with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory. (Collected from old brick wall)
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect, ± 25.0 cm long branches numerous falsely dichotomous slender.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
4-angled, angles narrowly ridged, herbaceous, solid, glabrous, young stem green, sometimes pinkish, divided into nodes and internodes, length of internodes 0.8 – 3.0 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite-decussate, exstipulate ; lower leaves much longer, 2.0 – 4.0 cm long, acute, base gradually narrowed to the petiole, dorsiventral, glabrous, green ; trinerved, convergent, reticulate, leaves in flowering shoot gradually smaller upwards, sessile, broadly ovate, entire, acute.
Inflorescence:
Much branched, spreading dichasium, leafy (bracteate) throughout.
Flower:
Zygomorphic due to the bending of corolla with equal, lobes, hypogynous, pedicels 0.3 – 0.7 cm long.
Calyx:
Sepals 4, gamosepalous, deeply 4-pertite, green; each tooth narrowly lanceolate, entire, acuminate, 3-nerved, valvate, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals 4, gamopetalous, salver-shaped ; tube slightly curved ± 0.4 cm, lobes 4, placed unilaterally, equal ± 0.5 cm long, lanceolate to ovate to obovate, light to deep pink, twisted to the right, plicately folded through the mid-vein in bud.
Androecium:
Stamens 4, attached to the throat of the corolla tube (i.e. epipetalous), antisepalous, exserted, only the anterior stamen fertile with longer filament, anthers bilobed, basifixed, dehiscing longitudinally, sterile stamens with shorter filament, anthers smaller and barren; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, oblong-lanceolate, 1-chambered ; ovules numerous, anatropous on slightly intruded 2 parietal placentae, style terminal filiform, slightly inserted ; stigma bilobed, papillose.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule, 0.4 – 0.5 cm, terete, oblong with two tapering ends, slightly longer than the persistent calyx, seeds numerous.
Seed:
Minute, angular, brown, endospermous; testa smooth, embryo short, straight, dicotyledonous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with opposite-decussate, 3 nerved, exstipulate leaves ; flowers in spreading dichasium, bisexual, hypogynous, sepals 5, united, petals 5 united, lobes 5, equal; stamens antisepalous ; ovary 1-chambered; ovules numerous, anatropous on 2 parietal placentae, fruit a capsule with persistent calyx.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: GENTIANACEAE.
Leaves opposite; corolla twisted to the right; terrestrial; ovary-1-celled, style filiform, flowers irregular, stigma – 2.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the genus: Canscora.
Calyx not winged, stems quadrangular, flowers rose coloured.
……. Hence the species in: diffusa.
So, name of the plant: Canscora diffusa (Vahl.) R. Br.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 30. Date:
[Holarrhena antidysenterica (Roth) A.D.C.= Wrightia antidysenterica Rott.]
Specimen:
Flowering twigs supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be a shrub/tree, deciduous (as the branches are with new leaves only).
Root:
Appears to be a shrub/tree, deciduous (as the branches are with new leaves only).
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody ± terete but slightly flattened (new stem), with sticky and milky latex, bark of old stem lenticullate, divided into nodes and internodes.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, opposite – superposed, sometimes slightly alternating ; petiole very short, lamina large, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, entire, shortly acuminate, both surfaces flabrous, leathery ; venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Compound corymbose cyme, terminal on new shoots.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous-dichlamydeous, sweet, smelling.
Calyx:
Sepals 5, basally cannate, teeth slightly unequal, oblong-lanceolate, much hairy, greenish white; valvate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, hypocrateriform ; tube slender (diam. ± 0.11 cm), ± 1.3 cm long, erect, slightly swollen little above the base, greenish white sparsely villous within, minutely pubescent externally ; lobes 5, rarely 6, equal, twisted to the right, oblong – obovate, entire, rounded, white to creamy white, glabrous, ± 2.5 x 1.1 cm.
Androecium:
Stamens 5, rarely 6, equal, epipctalous (attached little above the inside base of corolla tube), much inserted; filaments shorter than anther, ± 0.07 cm; anthers (± 0.1 cm long) sagittate, with a small appendage at the tip, dehiscence longitudinal; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, much inserted; ovaries – 2, superior, 1-chambered; ovules numerous in each ovary on swollen marginal placenta (derived from the splitting off of an axile placenta); styles terminal, lower half free, upper half united ; stigma 1, conical or capitate.
Fruit:
A pair of follicles, 20 to 45 cm long, slightly curved, white-dotted.
Seed:
Elongated, terete, with a deciduous tuft of hairs on both ends (comose); embryo straight with 2-cotyledons; endosperm scanty.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A shrub/tree with milky latex; leaves simple, opposite, exstipulate; flowers in corymbose cyme; petal lobes twisted; stamens epipetalous, inserted within the corolla-tube; anthers sagittate, appendaged; ovaries 2, free, 1-chambered, ovules numerous; upper half of 2-styles united; stigma conical-capitate; fruit a pair of follicles, seeds comose.
……. Hence, the plant.belongs to the family: APOCYNACEAE.
Anthers included, free from the stigma, rounded at the base.
Seeds comose.
Seeds comose, not arillate.
Seeds with a deciduous tuft of hairs at the apex
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Holarrhena
Only one species recorded: antidysenterica Name of the plant: Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.
Key used:
Cooke, T. 1901 – 1908. The Flora of the Presidency of Bombay.
Specimen No. 31. Date:
[Ervtitamia coronaria Stapf. = Tabernaemontana divaricata R.Br.]
Specimen:
Flowering twigs supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Shrubs.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody terete, glabrous, with milky latex, branched, with distinct nodes and internodes.
Leaf:
Petiolate, exstipulate, simple, opposite, decussate, lamina, lanceolate, entire, acute, glabrous, reticulate, unicostate, dorsiventral, green.
Inflorescence:
Terminal polychasial cyme, many (lowered bracteate.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, pedicellate, complete, hypogynous, pentamerons, cyclic, dichlamyteous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, polysepalous, basally connate, quincuncial, persistent-5, lobed, lobes broadly ovate, entire, green.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, twisted, hypocratcriform, coronary outgrowths present at the month of the corolla tube, white ; lobes slightly obovate – rounded.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, polyandrous, epipetalous, inserted within the throat of the corolla tube ; filaments short, anthers sagitate, dithecous, basifixed, introse.
Gynoecium:
Carpel – 2, syncarpous ; ovaries-2 superior, bilocular, ovules many in each locule, placentation axile, style-1 long, terminal, urceolate at tip, stigma 2-lobed.
Fruit:
Simple, pair of many seeded follicles with 3 ribs.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Shruby plants with opposite leaves, reticulate venation ; stem with latex ; flowers bisexual, regular, pentamenous, superior, ovary bicarpellary, ovules in axile placentation, stamen epipetalous with sagitate anther;
….Hence the plant belongs to the family: APOCYANACEAE.
Corolla lobes twisted, overlapping to the left, anther included, carpels – 2, ovaries distinct, style long, stamens with sagitate anther.
……. Hence the genus : Ervatamia.
Calyx 5-lobed, lobes broadly ovate, follicles with 3 ribs.
……. Hence the species: divaricata.
Name of the plant: Ervatamia divaricata Stapf.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain.
Specimen No. 32. Date:
[Duranta repens Linn. = Duranta plumieri Jacq.]
Specimen:
A flowing twig was supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Under-shrubby appearance.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, obscurely angled, woody, greenish, with distinct nodes and internodes; no exudate, glabrous.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, petiolate, simple, opposite to whorled, lamina ovate, entire or serrate, acute, reticulate, unicostatc, green, dorsiventral.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in long terminal or shorter axillary branched racemes, alternate on the rachis, short pedicclled. in the axils of small bracts, bracteoles – 0.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, complete, pentamerous, dichlamydous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, valvate, connate in a tubular or sub-campanulate, truncate or minutely 5-toothed calyx, persistent, green.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, glamopetalous, imbricatc connate in a short cylindrical tube, limb oblique or not, lobes spreading, blue.
Androecium:
Stamens – 4, epipetalous, didynamous, included; filaments short, anther bi-celled, oblong, cells parallel, dehiscence longitudinal.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, connate in a more or less completely 8-celled ovary; ovules in axile placentation, one in each chamber ; style short ; stigma oblique, unequally lobed.
Fruit:
A succulent drupe, partially enclosed by calyx, 8-seeded; seeds exalbuminous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants shruby, with solid, woody, branched stem, leaves opposite, exstipulate, inflorescence racemose, flowers zygomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous, bracteate, calyx 4-5 lobed, corolla tubular, 4-5 lobed stamen – 4,epipetalous, didynamous, anthers bi-celled ; ovary bicarpellary, 2-A celled, locules 1 – ovuled, style terminal, stigma lobed, fruit drupe.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to family: VERBENACEAE.
Inflorescence with the lowest flowers opening first, racemose, fruit fleshy.
……. Hence the genus: Duranta.
Only one species in the genus.
……. Hence the species: repens.
Name of the plant: Duranta repens Linn.
Key used:
D. Prain (1903): Bengal Plants (2 volumes).
Specimen No. 33:
Date:
[Lantana camara L. var. aculeata (L.) Moldenke = L. aculeata L.]
Specimen:
A flowing twig and a few fruits were supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to-be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be a shrub.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, quadrangular, young stem 4-ridged, woody, green, pubescent and prickly on ridges (slightly curved downwards), with no exudate, divided into distinct nodes and internodes, length of internodes – 2.0 to 9.0 cm.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, simple, opposite-decussate ; petiole 1.0 cm long, narrow, much smaller than lamina ; lamina ovate to ovate-lanceolate, ± 10.0 x 5.2 cm, serrate, acute, base cuneate, green, dorsiventral, rugose, both surfaces pubescent, aromatic, venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate, basal pair opposite, upper alternate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, pedunculate (7.5 to 9.0 cm long), basically capitate but ultimately a condensed spike ; bracts of outermost flowers slightly larger, narrowly lanceolate, entire, acute, ciliated, 1-nerved, green, much larger than calyx, deciduous.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, diplochlamydeous, ± 1.3 cm long, sessile.
Calyx:
Sepals 5, gamosepalous, small, cup-like, 0.17 x 0.1 cm, very shortly 4-teethed, greenish white, pubescent, lobes valvate (open).
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, hypocrateriform ; tube ± 1.3 cm long, 0.1 cm in diam. 30° curved above the middle, pinkish white, lobes 4, spreading, lateral lobes smaller (0.2 cm long), anterior lobe largest, ± 0.4 cm long and 0.6 cm broad, truncate, minutely apiculate at the middle, posterior lobe ± 0.2 cm long and ± 0.6 cm broad, dull white to yellow to pink — on a single head, throat deep yellow inside; quincuncial, tip of posterior lobe covering the anterior lobe.
Androecium:
Stamens 4, epipetalous, didynamous, well-inserted, lower pair attached at the middle and the upper pair attached above ; filaments short, ± 0.1 cm, glabrous, white ; anthers bithecous, basifixed, yellow, dehiscing longitudinally, ± 0.1 cm long ; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, superior ; ovary ovate – oblong, glabrous, 2 biloculed, 1 ovule in each loculus on axile placenta ; style-1, terminal, erect, glabrous, inserted; stigma broadly bilobed, curved, papillose above.
Fruit:
Small (± 0.25 cm in diameter), globose drupe, black on ripening, endocarp bony, 2-seeded.
Seed-coat membranous, dry; embryo straight, cotyledons – 2, equal, obovate, thick; endosperm absent.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A shrub; stem 4-angled; leaves opposite, exstipulate; inflorescence capitate; flowers zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual ; calyx 4-5 – lobed ; corolla tube curved, lobes 4 – 5; unequal; stamens didynamous; ovary bicarpellary, bilocular, locules 1 – ovuled; placentation axile; style terminal; stigma with two broad lobes; drupes 2-seeded; seeds exalbuminous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to family: VERBENACEAE.
Inflorescence with lowest flower opening first.
Inflorescence of dense spikes.
Fruit with two 1-seeded pyrenes.
Spike capitate ; calyx small ; stamens 4, usually shrubs, fruit succulent, not dehiscing.
……. Hence, the genus is: Lantana.
Stems armed with recurved Prickles:
….. Hence, the species is; camara.
Name of the plant: Lantana camara L.
Key used:
D. Prain, 1903. Bengal Plants (2 vols.)
Specimen No. 34. Date:
[Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene
= Verbena nodiflora L.
= Lippia nodiflora A. Rich]
Specimen:
Collected from the college campus.
Habitat:
Dry-terrestrial.
Habit:
Prostrate, creeping, much branched, new branches sometimes semi-erect, herb, annual.
Root:
Prostrate, creeping, much branched; adventitious roots from nodes.
Stem:
Solid, terete, slightly compressed, young stem ± 4-angled with two lateral furrows, herbaceous, minutely strigose, green or brownish green; nodes swollen above the joint, internodes 1.5 – 3.0 cm long.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, simple, opposite-decussate ; petiole ± 0.3 cm. long, straight; lamina spathulate to cuneate-obovate, ± 2.0 x 1.0 cm, serrate above middle, lower 1/3rd to 2/3rd entire, acute with a minute mucro, base cuneate; leathery, dorsiventral, green hairy below, glabrous above ; unicostate pinnately reticulate with ± 3 pairs of lateral veins.
Inflorescence:
Generally one from a node, rarely two, compact spike with numerous flowers ; peduncle ± 3.5 cm, spike ± 1.5 cm, bracts broadly obovate, shortly acuminate, green, upper 1/4th brown, 0.28 x 0.2 cm in size.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, dichlamydeous, very small (± 0.12 cm in the mouth).
Calyx:
Sepals – 2-lobed, gamosepalous, 2 ridged, anterior-posterior in arrangement, ± 0.15 cm long, lateral portion membranous, hyaline, finely hairy, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, bilabiate, white, anterior lip (± 0.19 cm long) 3 lobed of which median largest; posterior lip (0.11 cm long) shortly 2-lobed, white; throat tubular; tube ± 0.19 cm long; imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens 4, didynamous; epipetalous, major portion of filament attached to filament, white, glabrous; anthers bithecous, oblong, dorsifixed, introrse, dehiscence longitudinal, pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, 2-chambered, 1 ovule in each loculus on axile placenta; style terminal, small, inserted, glabrous, stigma obliquely capitate.
Fruit:
Dry, breaks into two cocci (pyrenes) with little pressure, each 1-seeded, endocarp cartileginous.
Seed:
Testa thin, embryo straight, with 2 equal and thick cotyledons, exalbuminous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with exstipulate, opposite leaves; flowers hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, hypogynous, bracteate; Sepals connate, Corolla bilabiate; Stamens didynamous, epipetalous; Anthers bithecous; Carpels (2) ovary 2 – chambered, one ovule in each; stigma capitate, fruit breaks into two 1-seeded pyrenes; seeds exalbuminous
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: VERBENACEAE.
Inflorescence with the lowest flower opening first.
Inflorescence densa-spike.
Fruit of two 1-seeded pyrenes.
Spikes cylindric, calyx small, stamens 4, fruit dry, partially dehiscent, one species herbaceous
……. So the plant belong to the genus: Phyla.
Annual, creeping, minutely hairy; leaves cuneate, spathulate, serrate, penduncles rarely opposite, bracts obovate, acute.
So, the species is: nodiflora
Name of the plant: Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 35. Date :
[Heliotropium indicum L.]
Specimen:
Entire, uprooted plants with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect herb with few branches, 12 cm – 31.0 cm tall.
Root:
Normal, much branched tap-root system; lateral branches divergent.
Stem:
Simple, sub-opposite to alternate, upper ones all alternate, exstipulate ; petiole ± 1.0 cm long, narrow, slightly grooved above ; lamina (± 9.0 x 4.8 cm) rugose, ovate, nearly entire or slightly irregular and wavy acute base acute de-current, dorsiventral, green, hairy below ; venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Terminal, long (6.0 – 12.0 cm), simple, scorpioid cyme with circinate apex, secund, pedunele 2.00 – 4.0 cm, without any node, coarsely hairy throughout.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, dichlamydeous, ebracteate.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, basally connate, ± 0.26 cm long, linear lanceolate, acute, 1-nerved, hairy, green, valvate (open), persistent, unchanged in fruit.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, rotate, tube ± 0.22 cm, contracted at the throat, dull white, hairy outside ; lobes 5, equal, rounded, 0.1 x 0.12 cm, white, glabrous quincuncial.
Androecium:
Stamens-5, epipetalous, antisepalous inserted within the corolla-tube ; filaments very short, glabrous ; anthers, sagittate, 0.08 cm long, bithecous, basifixed, longitudinally dehiscing ; pollens granular, white.
Gynoecium:
Carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, upper portion 4-lobed, 4-chambered; ovules one in each chamber, pendulous, anatropous; style gynobasic, very small, glabrous; stigma capitate, 4 – lobed.
Fruit:
Obcordate, 2 lobed, ± 0.4 cm long and 0.35 cm broad, dry, only partially enclosed by persistent calyx, drupaceous, breaks into 2-seeded cocci, endocarp bony.
Seed:
Oblong, coat membranous, exalbuminous; embryo erect, slipper-shaped, ± 0.2 cm long, cotyledons 2, thick, equal, redicle short.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A small herb, coarsely hairy, leaves exstipulate, sub-opposite to alternate ; flowers in terminal, long, scorpioid cyme, with circinate tip, ebracteate, actinomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual ; sepals 5, basally connate, valvate, persistent ; petals 5, tube erect, lobes quincuncial; stamens 5, epipetalous, inserted within the tube ; carpels 2, syncarpous, ovary 4-lobed, 4-chambered, 1-anatropous ovule in each ; style gynobasic; stigma 4-lobed ; fruits dry, breaks into pyrenes.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: BORAGINACEAE.
Ovary slightly 4-lobed, fruits drupaceous, style – 1.
……. So the genus is: Heliotropium.
Calyx not enveloping the fruit, lobes narrow, long;
Fruit separating into two nut like 1-seeded pyrenes.
……So, the-species is: irndieum..
Name of the plant: HeHotropium indicum L.
Key used:
Flora Gorakhpurensii byT. N. Sribastava (1976).
Specimen No. 36. Date:
[Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.]
Specimen:
Flowering plants supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A rosette herb with tall and branched scape.
Root:
Tap-root system with many lateral branches.
Stem:
Solid, terete, woody, with nodes and internodes, green, viscidly pubescent.
Leaf:
Somewhat sessile exstipulate, alternate, simple; cuneate at base, lanceolate, to broadly lanceolate, entire to sinuate, acute, reticulate, unicostate, viscid-pubescent.
Inflorescence:
Axillary or terminal racemes, bracts subulate green.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous, superior, cyclic, pentamerous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous tubular, imbricate, greenish, persistent, glandular hairy.
Corolla:
Corolla narrowly campanulate, petals – 5, gamopetalous, tube, long lobes 5, induplicate and twisted in bud.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, epipetalous, to lower part of corolla tube, filaments fusiform ; anthers bi-celled, ovate, dehiscence longitudinal, introse.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, ovary superior, bi-celled, ovules many, placentation axile, style filiform; stigma shortly bifid.
Fruit:
Simple, dry, dehiscent, capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous plants with alternate, simple, exstipulate leaves, flowers in solitary axillary or terminal cyme, bisexual, superior, campanulate corolla with 5 epipetalous stamens, ovary bicarpellary, superior, with many ovules in each chamber, axile placentation.
……. Hence the plants belong to the family: SOLANACEAE.
Corolla lobes in duplicate valvate fruit capsule.
Hence the genus: Nicotiana.
Leaves lanceolate, base cuneate, corolla narrowly funnel shaped, fruit capsular, long.
……. Hence the species: plumbaginifolia.
Name of the plant: Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv.
Key used:
Bengal Plants. (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 37. Date :
[Scoparia dulcis Linn.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Small, erect herbs (perennial).
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, angular to terete, somewhat woody, greenish, hairy, with nodes and internodes, with no exudate.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite to whorled, lamina ovate, serrate, acute, dorsiventral, green, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, solitary cyme, ebracteate.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, bisexual, complete, pedicellate, hypogynous, pentamerous, superior, diplochlamydeous.
Calyx:
Sepals – 4 to 5 partite, connate at the base, imbricate, persistent, green.
Corolla:
Petals – 4, gamopetalous, corrate in a rotate corolla, tube very short, throat densely bearded, lobes broadly ovate, entire obtuse, white, sub-equal, twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens – 4, sub-equal, epipetalous, filaments filiform, anthers sub-sagitiate, cells distinct, parallel or diverging, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, connate is a 2-celled ovary; ovules in each cell numerous, swollen axile placentation; style sub-calvate; stigma terminal, truncate.
Fruit:
A small, globose or ovoid, septicidal capoule many seeded.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants herbaceous, leaves simple, opposite, flowers bisexual, hypogynous, stamens – 4, epipetalous, subdual, ovary bicarpellary, superior, ovules in swollen axile placentation fruit – a small capsule.
……..Hence the plant belongs to the family: SCROPHULARIACEAE.
Leaves opposite, corolla tube not enlarged at the base, corolla lobes imbricate; stamens -4, sub-equal; capsule globose, septicidal.
……. So, the plant belongs to the genus: Scoparia.
Only one species in the key: species: dulcis.
Name of the plant: Scoparia dulcis Linn.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 38. Date:
[Lindenbergia indica (L.) 0. Kuntze
[Lindenbergia urticifolia Lehm.]
Specimen:
Collected from old walls.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Small, herbs, lower branches sometimes procumbent.
Root:
Tap root system, much branched, rigid.
Stem:
Solid, terete, soft, greenish, hairy, differentiated into nodes and internodes, branching at nodes, internode 1 – 2 cms long.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite decussate (alternate in the upper region), petiole 0.4 – 0.8 cm long, ovate, 1.8 – 2.2 cms long, crenate – serrated, acute or obtuse, reticulate, unicostate, green, dorsiventral, herbaceous.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in leaf axils, gradually forms a raceme with the reduction in leaf size.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pedicellate, bracteate, pentamerous, 0.8 to 1 cm long, dichlamydeous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, 5 toothed, tube campanulate, imbricate, lobes, leafy, green, 1-nerved, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, 2 – lipped, 5 – partite, upper lip bifid, lower 3-lobed ; limbs spreading, about 0.9 cm long ; tube cylindric with 2 parallel ridges; imbricate, yellow.
Androecium:
Stamens – 4, epipetalous, didynamous; filaments, bifarcate at lips, anther bi-celled, disjoined, stipitate, basifixed, dehisces longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous ; ovary superior, medially placed, 2-celled with many ovules in swollen axile placentation ; style long terminal, stigma bilobed.
Fruit:
Dry, dehiscent, capsuie-loculicidal many seeded.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plant a herb, leaves simple, mostly opposite, flowers bisexual, zygomorphic, hypogynous, stamens – 4, epipetalous, didynamous ; carpels – 2, ovary medially placed, ovules in swollen axile placentation ; fruit a capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: SCROPHULARIACEAE.
Corolla elongated, tube cylindric, corolla 2-labiate, throat not 2-gibbous; calyx wide – campanulate, corolla throat with 2 parallel ridges, anther cell disjoined, stipitate, capsule loculicidal.
……. Hence the plant belong to the Genus: Lindenbergia.
Calyx shorter than the bracts, leaves ovate, apex obtuse, margin crenate – serrate, flower pedicelled.
……. Hence the plants belong to the species: urticifolia.
Name of the plant… Lindenbergia urticifolia Lehm.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain, 1903.
Specimen No. 39. Date :
[Mazus pumilus (Brum, f.) Stennis = M. rugosus Lour.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Small prostrate herb, often with runners.
Root:
Taproot system branched.
Stem:
Solid, angled, herbaceous, pubescent, green.
Leaf:
Simple, sessile, exstipulate, opposite, decussate, lamina, spathulate to ovate, crenate, acute or obtuse, reticulate, uriicostate, green, dorsiventral, glabrous.
Inflorescence:
Racemose, raceme raised on a scape with a few leaves, alternate.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, bio-sexual, complete, hermaphrodite, pedicellate, bracteate, pentamerous, hypogynous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, valvate; tube campanulate, persistent, green; lobes spreading.
Corolla:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, valvate; tube campanulate, persistent, green; lobes spreading.
Androecium:
Petals 5, gamopetalous, corolla 2/3 bi-lipped, upper lip short, lower lip spreading, throat with a 2-lobbed palate, pale blue to while with streaks, quincuncial, lateral lobes smaller.
Gynoecium:
Stamens – 4, polyandrous, epipetalous, didynamous, filaments long and curved, anthers dithecous, basified, introse, cells divaricate.
Fruit:
Carpels – 2, bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, bilocular with many ovules in each locule on swollen axile placenta, style short; stigma 2, lamellate.
Seed:
A small globose, obtuse, loculicidal capsule included inside the persistent calyx.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants herbaceous ; leaves opposite ; flower bisexual, irregular ; Sepals – 5, connate in an inferior calyx; petals – 5, bilabliate (3+2), Stamens – 4, didynamous, anther bi-celled, basifixed, carpels – 2, superior syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, stigma 2, lamellate ; fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: SCROPHULARIACEAE.
Leaves alternate in upper region and lower region opposite; Corolla tube not enlarged with upper lip outer most and lower lobe innermost;
Corolla elongated, tube cylindric, distinctly 2-labiate, with 2-gibbous throat, stamens – 4, all fertile, calyx wide campanulate.
……. So the plant belong to the genus: Mazus.
Only are species in the key: pumilus Linn.
Name of the plant: Mazus pumilus (Brum, f.) Stennis.
Key used:
Bengal Planes (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 40. Date:
[Vandellia multiflora G. Don.
= Lindernia multiflora (Roxb.) Mukherjee]
Specimen:
Collected from the college campus (growing on an old moist wall).
Habitat:
Terrestrial, prefer moist places.
Habit:
Low, diffuse, annual herb; main stem ± erect, branches procumbent; primary shoot rosette.
Root:
Much branched tap-root system.
Stem:
Solid, 4-angled, angles thick, herbaceous, no exudate, green, brownish near nodes, sparsely pubescent, internodes prominent in branches, 1.0 to 4.5.cm. long.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite-decussate, exstipulate ; radical leaves shortly petiolate, upper sessile ; bases of lower leaves and lamina-base of upper leaves clasping the stem ; lamina ovate serrate to dentatoserrate, acute or obtuse, base rounded or suddenly narrowed to the petiole dorsiventral, green ; petioles, veins below and margins sparsely hairy ; venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Terminal racemes, flowers opposite; bracts minute, lanceolate, acuminate, scaly.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, dechlomyduous, length x breadth: (at mouth): 0.6 x 0.4 cm; pedicels 0.4 to 0.7 cm. long.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, basally connate, linear, acute, hairy, green, nerves not prominent, equal, imbricate.
Corolla:
Bilabiate (nearly personate), petals (3+2) yellowish, imbricate ; anterior lobe innermost in bud, 3 lobed, larger ; posterior lobe outermost in bud, 2-notched at the tip ; palate swollen with two bright yellow spots ; tube cylindric, slightly expanded at the throat.
Androecium:
Stamens – 2+2, didynamous, epipetalous, antisepalous, posterior stamen absent, anterior pair inserted, posterior pair exserted, anther lobes free, connivent in pairs, white, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous; ovary globose, erect, superior, 2 chambered; ovules numerous on swollen, axile placentae ; style 1, terminal, slightly curved ; stigmas 2, laminar.
Fruit:
Capsule, oblong, septicidal, dehiscing by valves, 2-loculed; seeds many in each locule.
Seed:
Minute, angled, endosperm powdery; embryo straight, dicotyledonous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Small, annual, herbs, leaves opposite ; flowers in raceme, zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual ; corolla 2-lipped ; stamens epipetalous, didynamous; anthar divaricate, connivent in pairs ; clayx green, persistent, fruit a capsule.
Hence, the plant belongs to the family: SCROPHULARIACEAE.
Leaves opposite, corolla tube elongated; stamens – 4; corolla tube not enlarged at base in front; capsule dehiscing by values; corolla with upper lip outermost and lower lobe innermost in bud; tube cylindric, with more or less expanded throat, limb distinctly 2-lipped, with 4 stamens ; stamens if 4 – the anterior pair inserted within corolla tube, capsule septicidal, leaves opposite ; all four stamens with anther perfect ; calyx without wings, 5 partite, segments equal ; capsule oblong.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Vandellia.
Leaves pinnately veined, obtuse, ovate, entire, glabrous; Sepals shorter than capsule.
……. So, the species: multi-flora.
Name of the plant: Vardellia multiflora G. Don.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.), by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 41. Date:
[Anisomeles indica (L.) O. Kuntze = Anisomeles ovata R. Br. = Nepeta indica L.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be a tall, erect, herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, square, 4-ridged, herbaceous, moderately tomentose, green with no exudate, divided into nodes and internodes, length of internodes 1.7 – 6.0 cm.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, simple, opposite, decussate, aromatic (camphor smelling); petiole ± 2.2 cm long, much shorter than lamina ; lamina ovate to broadly ovate, dentatoserrate, acute to shortly acuminate, base truncate – attenuate, green, dorsiventral, both surfaces woolly, herbaceous, 3-nerved from the base, reticulate ; gradually smaller in flowering shoot.
Inflorescence:
Lax verticillaster, many flowered, ± 2.7 cm in dia. interrupted ; bracts and bracteoles linear, woolly, up-to 0.3 cm long, green, herbaceous.
Flower:
Zygomprphic, hypogynous, hermaphrodite, pentamerous, dichlamydeous, ± 1.5 cm long.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, campanulate, nearly straight, 5-teethed, nearly 1/2 dissected, hairy, green, persistent, ± 0.7 cm long, herbaceous; lobes triangular, narrowly acuminate, nearly equal, 1-nerved, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamapetalous, bilabiate – (3+2), ± 1.4 cm long ; posterior lip smaller narrow, erect, glabrous, white, entire, hooked ; anterior lip purple, lobes 3, spreading, lateral lobes much smaller, median lobe broad and emarginate; palate violet, hairy ; throat dilated, tube short; imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens – 4, epipetalous, exserted, didynamous, antisepalous, posterior stamen missing, anterior pair smaller filaments glabrus, ± straight, anthers violet, connivent, stamens of anterior pair 2 lobed ; those of posterior pair dimidiate, parallel, transverse ; dehiscence longitudinal; pollens granular, white.
Gynoecium:
Placed on an equally 4-lobed disc; carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, 4 partite; each part oblong, rounded, glabrous, 1-chambered, 1-ovule attached near the base; style gynobasic, ± erect, exserted; stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Carcerule of 4 nutlets, dry, glaucous, with a small basal scar, each 1-seeded.
Seed:
Exalbuminous, embryo straight with two large and equal cotyledons.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
An aromatic herb with square stem ; leaves simple, opposite, exstipulate, flowers in verticillaster, zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, calyx tubular, 5-toothed ; corolla bilabiate ; stamens didynamous, carpels 2, ovary 4-partite ; placed on a lobed disc; style gynobasic, stigma bifid, fruit carcerule, nutlets 1 seeded—
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: LABI ATAE.
Ovary 4-partite; nutlets with small attachment, nutlets dry.
Stamens erect.
Stamens 4, perfect,
Corolla 2 lipped, stamens didynamous.
Calyx 5 – nerved; anthers 2 – celled.
Upper lip of corolla short, nearly flat, not woolly; stamens exserted; anther cells of upper pair dimidiate, of lower pair parallel.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Anisomeles.
Leaves densely pubescent (woolly) beneath.
……. So, the specis : ovata
Name of the plant: Anisomeles ovata R. Br.
Key used:
D. Prain, 1903, Bengal Plants (2 vols.).
Specimen No. 42. Date:
[Hypoestis triflora Roemer et J. A. Schultes]
Specimen:
Flowering twigs supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial, but growing in moist places.
Habit:
Main stem may be semi-erect, lateral branches decumbent; branches opposite, numerous, slender.
Root:
Basal root not supplied but rooting from lower nodes.
Stem:
Solid, 6-angled, angles slightly ridged, green, ridges pubescent, non-aromatic, with no exudate, nodes, jointed swollen, internodes, 3.0 to 8.0 cm long.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, simple, opposite – decussate; petiole in lower leaves narrow long ; lamina ovate, serrate to dentatosefrate, lower l/5th generally entire, shortly acuminate, base rounded, dorsiventral, both surfaces hispid, green, herbaceous ; generally smaller up wards in flowering shoot.
Inflorescence:
Axillary and terminal cymose fasioles of 1-5 flowers, capitellate ; bracts 2, spathulate, entire,.rounded, with an weak mid-vein, green, hairy ; bracteoles 3, unequal, oblanceolate, acuminate, hairy, greenish, the largest one long.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, dichlamydeous, small, morning-blooming.
Calyx:
Sepals 5, polysepalous, more or less equal with posterior one larger, basically connate, linear-lanceolate, hyaline, hairy, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, gamopetalous, bilabiate, lips nearly equal, (3+2), pink, hairy outside, imbricate ; anterior lip with brown spotted palate, slightly 3-lobed ; posterior lip nearly entire ; tube white, glabrous, narrow, cylindric.
Androecium:
Stamens – 2, equal, lateral, inserted, epipetalous ; filaments slender, attached a little above the base inside the corolla tube, glabrous, white ; anthers monothecous, dorsifixed, dehiscence longitudinal, extrorse; pollens granular, white.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-2, syncarpous; ovary superior, situated on an unequally lobed disc, ovate-oblong, glabrous, green, ± 0.15 cm long, 2-chambered; ovules 2 in each loculus on axile placentae, style terminal ; stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule, oblong-obovate, with a short sterile base, tip conical; pericarp thin, hyaline, seeds visible from outside, minutely pubescent. 
Seed:
2 in each chamber, discoid, rugose, exalbuminous, embryo straight, cotyledons 2, equal, radicle short, thick, jaculators longer than the diameter of seeds, sharply pointed.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with swollen and jointed nodes; leaves opposite, exstipulate, simple; inflorescence basically cymose with conspicuous bracts and bracteoles; flowers zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, pentamerous, calyx much reduced, scaly, with five basally connate sepals; corolla bilabiate, (3+2); stamens 2, epipetalous; carpels 2, syncarpous; ovary situated on a disc, 2-chambered, ovules in 1-row on axile placenta in each chamber; fruit a capsule; seeds supported on jaculators, exalbuminous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Seeds supported on retinacula (i.e. jaculator) ; sepals 5 with one larger, styles 2-fid; ovules 2 in each cell ; corolla distinctly 2-lipped ; stamens 2, anther 1-celled;
Bracts larger than the calyx segments.
Hence, the genus is: Hypoestes.
Leaves ovate, somewhat hairy on both surfaces, flower cluster capitellate, axillary and terminal, bracts narrowly obovate, sub-obtuse, corolla scarcely 1/2 inch.
So, the species is: triflora.
Name of the plant: Hypoestes triflora Roemer et Schultes
Key used:
Flora of British India (Vol. 1-7) by .J. D. Hooker.
Specimen No. 43. Date:
[Htygrophila polyspe/ma fRoxhb.) Andr. = Justicia polyspeYma Roxb.]
Specimen:
Supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be an annual helophvte (i.e. an amphibious plant).
Habit:
Low, diffuse, profusely branched herbs with erect shoots branching oppositely; lower stem prostrate.
Root:
Tap-root system normal, much branched; adventitious roots developed from the nodes of prostrate shoots.
Stem:
Solid, soft, brownish-green, terete sparsely pubescent; nodes swollen, jointed; internodes 0.5 to 2.8 cm, long.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite-decussate, exstipulate; upper leaves sessile and smaller, 1.0 to 1.5 cm x 0.3 to 0.5 cm; lower leaves very slightly petiolate and larger 2.0 to 3.3 cm x 1.0-1.7 cm ; lamina lanceolate to broadly lanceolate or slightly ovate-lanceolate, entire, acute, base acute, minutely pubescent, green, dorsiventral; veins unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary and terminal cymose spike; bracts and bracteoles conspicuous; bracts ovate, entire, hairy, unicostate – reticulate; bracteoles lanceolate to linear lanceolate with prominent midvein, much hairy.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, diplochlamydeous; bisexual, pentamerous, sessile.
Calyx:
Sepals 5, basally connate, hairy, long, linear, shorter than corolla-tube, scaly, valvate, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals – (3+2), bilabiate, imbricate; upper lip broad, white slightly 2 lobed; lower lip 3-lobed, hairy, violet; throat dialated.
Androecium:
Stamens 2, epipetalous, slightly exserted, antisepalous, two anterior and the posterior stamen absent; filaments equal white; anthers divaricate, dorsifixed, lobes equal, white, with longitudinal and imtrorse dehiscence.
Gynoecium:
Bicarpellate, syncarpous, ovary superior, cylindric, hairy, 2-chambered; ovules in two rows in each chamber on axile placentae; style terminal, slightly exserted, hairy at the base; stigma obliquely capitate.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule, ± 1.0 cm long, laterally compressed, tipped with a dry and persistent style; many seeds in two rows in each chamber, supported by jaculators; jaculators or retinacula never freed from the pericarp.
Seed:
Globose, raphe slightly depressed, testa scabrid, exalbuminous; embryo erect with two thick cotyledons.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb, nodes swollen and jointed ; leaves simple, opposite ; flowers in cymose spikes with conspicuous bracts and bracteoles ; corolla bilabiate, stamens 2, anther lobes separated ; carpels 2, syncarpous ; style terminal ; fruit a capsule ; seeds supported by jaculators, exalbuminous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Erect and prostrate, not climbing, calyx distinct, branches not sub-connate; ovules more than 2 in each cell, seeds supported on a hard, upwardly curving retinacula, ovules exceeding 2, arranged alternately in each cell ; corolla with 2 tips, lobes twisted to the left in bud, capsule normally with 6 or more seeds ; corolla distinct with 2 lips.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the genus: Hygrophila.
Unarmed; calyx 5-toothed; seeds usually more than 8. Flowers in terminal, dense, oblong spikes; procumbent herbs; leaves ovate or oblong.
Leaves puberulous; fertile stamens 2; seeds 20 or more.
……. Hence, the species: polysperma.
Name of the plant: Hygrophila polysperma And.
Key used:
Bengal Plants, (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 44. Date:
[Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees = Justicia pectinate L. ; R. parviflora var. pectinate (L.) CI.]
Specimen:
Plants with flowers and fruits collected from the college campus.
Habitat:
Small, diffuse, much branched herbs with prostate and semi-erect shoots.
Habit:
Tap root system normal, much branched; adventitious roots developed from the nodes of prostrate shoots.
Root:
Solid, terete, herbaceous, minutely pubescent, green to greyish-green, nodes swollen, jointed, length of internodes 1.7 to 3.5 cm.
Stem:
Simple, opposite-decussate, exstipulate; lower leaves larger and become gradually smaller within the flowering branches ; petiole smaller than lamina, 1.0 to 1.2 cm long, narrow; lamina (2.3 to 3.2 cm x 0.8 to 1.2 cm) broadly lanceolate, entire, tip and base acute, green, hairy, dorsiventral, minutely pubescent ; veins unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Leaf:
Axillary and terminal; second (unilateral) and compact cymose spike with conspicuous bracts and bracteoles.
Inflorescence:
Bracts invlucrate, 0.3 – 0.4 cm long, broadly ovate, mucronate, with broadly scarious margins and strong mid-veins, hairy; bracteoles, free, ovate-lanceolate with scarious margins, mucronate or sometimes apiculate, hairy.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogymous, bisexual, pentamerous, dichlamydeous, sessile, ± 0.3 cm long.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, slightly unequal, basally connate, hyaline, hairy, valvate, oblong-linear, shorter than corolla tube, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals – (3+2), bilabiate, imbricate; upper lip narrow, triangular, acuminate ; lower lip 3-lobed, bluish-violet; throat dilated ; palate slightly swollen, hairy with deep violet streaks.
Androecium:
Stamens 2, epipetalous, incluaed, antisepalous, two anterior the posterior stamens absent; filaments equal, white ; anthers divaricate, hairy, dorsifixed, lobes equal, white, with longitudinal and introse dehiscence ; pollens granular, oblong (3-colporate, reticulate).
Gynoecium:
Bicarpellate, syncarpous, ovary superior, globose, slightly compressed, situated on a circular disc — two-chambered, two ovules in each chamber on axile placenta; style 1, terminal, slightly longer than stamens, slightly exserted; stigma slightly bifid.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule; flattened-ovoid; with a dry and persistent style; 2-chambered, each with two seeds, supported by conical, hook-like jaculators; placenta with jaculators opens upward elastically at the moment of dehiscence of the fruit.
Seed:
Slightly oblong, grayish-brown, testa-smooth, exalbuminous; embryo straight with two thick cotyledons.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb; nodes swollen, jointed ; leaves simple, opposite ; inflorescence cymose spike with conspicuous bracts and bracteoles ; corolla bilabiate; stamens 2, anther lobes separated ; carpels 2, syncarpous; style terminal ; fruit a capsule, seeds supported by jaculators, exalbuminous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Erect or prostate; not climbing; calyx distinct; bracteoles not sub-connate; seeds supported on hard, upwardly curving retinacula (= jaculator), ovules 2; corolla
lobes imbricated in bud; ovules 2; stamens 2; placentas separating elastically from the valves from the base upwards ; bracts involucrate ; bracts arranged on unilateral spike.
……. Hence, the determined genus: Rungia.
Leaves near base petioled, all nearly glabrous; bracts – fertile ones obovate, ciliate; bracteoles elliptic; spikes markedly 1-sided; corolla bluish.
Barren bracts mucronate, fertile ones hairy.
……. Hence the species: pectinata.
So, the name of the plant: Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees.
Key used:
Bengal Plants, (2 vols.) by D. Prain, (1903).
Specimen No. 45. Date:
[Ecbolium viride (Forske) Alston. = E. linnaeanum Kurr.]
Specimen:
Branches with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Appears to be an undershrub (probably suffrutescent). Not supplied.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, terete, slightly compressed below the nodes, absence of any exudate or aroma, glabrous, green old stem woody, rigid, new stem herbaceous, upper internodes ± 6-5 cm long and ± 0.3 cm in diam.
Leaf:
Exstipulate, simple, opposite-decussate, sessile ; lamina ± 13.0 x 5.0 cm, broadly lanceolate, entire or slightly irregular, shortly accuminate, obtuse-acute, base attenuate-gradually narrowed the leaf base, green, dorsiventral, both surfaces glabrous, herbaceous ; venation unicostate, pinnately reticulate, with 6-8 lateral veins on each side, alternate or opposite.
Inflorescence:
Terminal spike peduncle ± 0.8 cm., without any barren node ; spike ± 8.0 cm long and ± 1.7 cm broad; bracts leafy ± 2.0 x 1.2 cm, ovate, dentate-serrate, narrowly caudate-acuminate, unicostate-pinnately reticulate, persistent, enclosing the fruit;. bracteoles-2, lateral, subulate, 0.15 cm. long, green, brown-tipped, glabrous, persistent.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual, cyclic, pentamerous, conspicuous, morning blooming, without arty smell.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, slightly connate at the base, linear-subulate, ± 0.5 cm long, entire, narrowly acuminate, green finely pubescent, persistent – marscent, enclosing only the lower sterile part of the fruit, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5 (3+2), bilabiate, bluish, early deciduous; anterior lip large, deeply 3-lobed, pubescent below, glabrous above, lateral lobes + 1.4 x 0.6 cm. lanceolate, middle lobe larger, ±1.7 x 1.0 cm, oblong, rounded, palate swollen – longitudinally lobed through the middle ; posterior lip slender, ± 3.3 cm long, white, externally pubescent, slightly swollen below the throat; lobes imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens – 2, just exposing the anther, anterior pair and the posterior stamen missing; filament long, attached somewhat below the throat, ± 0.7 cm long, straight, white, glabrous; anthers bithecous, + 0.2 cm long, dorsifixed, divaricate, lobes oblong, fiarallel, approximate, purple, longitudinally dehiscing ; pollens granular yellow.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous; ovary superior, placed on a small and entire disc, oblong and conical above, bearded at the tip only, 2-chambered, lower portion sterile, 2 ovules in each in one row on axile placenta, anatropous, compressed; style 1, terminal, slender, exerted, ± 3.8 cm long, white, glabrous, marscecent-persistent; stigma bifid, lobes flattened, white.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule, ± 1.5 cm Jong, lower 0.7 cm, sterile, narrow and forming the stalk, upper portion anterior – posteriorly flattened, ovate, acute, glabrous, green, 2-seeded; jaculators stiff, curved, sharp. (In some specimens 4-seeded fruits are also found).
Seed:
Broadly ovate, acute, unequally cordate, compressed, ± 0.7 x 0.55 cm; testa tough, scabrid; embryo comparatively smaller with two half-lunar cotyledons and a small radicle ; endosperm absent.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
An undershrub; leaves exstipulate, simple, opposite ; spikes with large foliaceous bracts and bracteoles; flowers zygomorphic, hypogynous, bisexual; calyx much smaller than bracts, sepals basally connate; corolla bilabiate, (3+2); stamens 2, epipetalous, anthers divaricate with longitudinal dehiscence; carpels (2), ovary placed on a disc, 2 chambered; ovules anatropous, 2 in each chamber in one row; fruit a capsule ; seeds supported with jaculators, exalbuminous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Erect, not climbing; calyx distinct; bracteoles not sub-connate.
Seeds supported on hard, upward curving retinancula (i.e. jaculator),
Corolla with 2 – lips,
Corolla lobes imbricate in bud,
Ovules 2 in each cell.
Corolla distinctly 2-lipped; anthers 2-celled. Stamens 2.
Placentae not separating elastically from the valves, Anther cells parallel, sub-equal; bracts large, imbricate, corolla tube long, narrow.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the genus: Ecbolium.
Flora records the occurrence of only one species: viride.
So, the name determined: Ecbolium viride (Forske) Mo ton.
Key used:
Flora used for Key: Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain, 1903.
Specimen No. 46. Date:
[Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lamk. = Oldenlandia cofymbosa L.]
Specimen:
A plant with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Small diffuse herb (erect to semi-erect or prostrate).
Root:
Profusely branched normal tap-root system; adventitious roots developed from nodes and internodes.
Stem:
Solid, younger parts terete, older parts 4-angled, herbaceous, glabrous, light green divided into nodes and internodes, length of internodes 0.5 to 1.5 cm.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, decussate ; petiole much shorter; stipule interpetiolar, acuminate, green; lamina 1.0 to 2.0 cm, narrowly lanceolate to slightly ovate-lanccolatc, entire-recurved, acute, gradually narrowed down to the petiole, sparsely pubescent, green, dorsiventral, veins unicostate, pinnately reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, cymose umbel with 1 to 4 flowers; peduncle 0.7 to 2.5 cm, erect, slender, bracts minute, lanceolate; pedicels 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, epigynous, bisexual, tetramerous, dichlamydeous, isostemonous, minute.
Calyx:
Sepals – 4, gamosepalous, teeth – 4, remote, equal, ovate-lanceolate, entire, acuminate, keeled, 0.3 to 0.6 cm long, green, minutely hairy, valvate, persistant, teeth separated in fruit.
Corolla:
Petals – 4; rotate, tube short 0.1 to 0.2 cm long, lobes broadly lanceolate, acute, white, valvate, throat with a row of hairy corona.
Androecium:
Stamens – 4, epipetalous, antisepalous, included, filaments short, slightly longer than anther, white anthers bithecous, dorsifixed, white, dehiscence longitudinal, pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous; ovary inferior, 2-lobed, 2-chambered; ovules numerous on two intruded and swollen placentae; style 1, terminal, inserted; stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule, crowned with persistent calyx, 2-lobed.
Seed:
Numerous, minute, angular, testa smooth.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Small, diffuse herbs; leaves opposite-decussate, simple; stipule interpetiolar; flowers in umbellate cymes, actinomorphic, epigynous, tetramerous, bisexual; calyx persistent; corolla rotate, throat hairy; stamens epipetalous; carpels 2, syncarpous, placentation axile; fruit capsular.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: RUBIACEAE.
ovules numerous ; fruit dry, dehiscent ; corolla valvate in bud, herb, flowers in axillary cymes ; stipules entire ; calyx teeth remote ; capsule loculicidally dehiscent above calyx ; seeds minute, angular.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the genus: Oldenlandia.
Seeds distinctly angular; testa smooth, calyx teeth subulate, their bases in fruit not contiguous.
Flowers pedicelled on axillary peduncles.
Flowers all axillary; margins of linear are narrow-lanceolate; leaves usually recurved.
Peduncles solitary from the axiles; pedicels long, filiform.
Calyx teeth not much shorter than corolla tube, peduncles usually solitary, usually
2-4 flowered; a diffuse on less often erect herb:
……. Hence the species: corymbosa.
Name of the plant: Oldenlandia corymbosa L.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain.
Specimen No. 47. Date:
[Dentella repens (L.) Forst. = Oldenlandia repens L.]
Specimen:
Plants with flowers and fruits were collected from the Institution campus.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Diffuse, much – branched herb, lower branches prostrate, rooting at nodes; smaller branches semi-erect.
Root:
Normal taproot system, much branched; roots from nodes slender, much branched.
Stem:
Terete, obscurely 4-angled below the nodes, solid, soft (herbaceous) ± 0.2 cm in diam. glabrous, without any exudate, green, slightly swollen at nodes, divided into prominent internodes and nodes; internodes 0.7 – 2.0 cm long.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite-decussate; stipules interotiolar, broadly ovate, entire, obtuse sometimes with 2-3 bristles, herbaceous, colourless; petioles vary short (0.05 – 1.0 cm) or missing; lamina lanceolte to oblanceolate ± 0.8 x 0.25 cm, entire, acute base cuneate, pubescent (a thickly hairy form is also common) green; midvein depressed above, other veins obscure.
Inflorescence:
Solitary, axillary, generally only one at a node, bracteoles absent.
Flower:
Actinomorphic, epigynous, dichlamydeous, ± 0.7 cm in diam. at the month; bracts normal, leafy.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, crowning the ovary, connected by web-like structure for little over half of their length, ± 0.2 cm long; teeth lanceolate, acuminate, green, glabrous or with very few hairs, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, companulate; tube 0.4 cm long, slightly dilated above the calyx-tube, white, both side glabrous ; lobes 5, abovate, acuminate, glabrous, tips slightly recurved, valvate.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, epipetalous, inserted within the tube just above the calyx tube, antisepalous; filaments very short, much smaller than anther, glabrous ; anthers oblong, ± 0.08 cm long, bithecous, basifixed, dehiscence longitudinal; pollens granular.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous; ovary 2-lobed, obscurely 5-ribbed (contiguous with the sepals); oblong, glabrous, 2-chambered; each chamber with numerous anatropous ovules on intruded and swollen axile placenta; style terminal, short inserted; stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Small, oblong, 2-lobed; laculicidal-capsule, crowned with persistent calyx; seeds numerous.
Seed:
Numerous, angular; testa foveolated; embryo small, slightly curved, covered with endosperm.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb ; leaves simple, opposite-decussate ; stipule interpetiolar ; flowers actinomorphic, epigynous, bisexual ; calyx persistent, crowns the fruit ; petals valvate ; carpels 2, ovary inferior, 2-chambered ; ovules anatropous, numerous, on axile placenta ; fruit capsular
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: RUBIACEAE.
Ovules more than 2, usually numerous to each cell.
Flowers not in dense heads.
Fruit capsular, herbs.
Corolla lobes valvate.
Corolla lobes with a tooth on each side
……. So, the plant belongs to the genus: Dentella
Only one species reported
……. So, the species: repens.
Name of the plant: Dentella repens Forst.
Key used:
Flora of the Presidency of Bombay, by Theodorx Cooke (1901-1908).
Specimen No. 48. Date:
[Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.
= Coccinia cordifolia (L) Cong.
= Coccinia indica W. & A
= Cephalandra indica Naud.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Climber with tendrils.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, herbaceous, weak, glabrous, green, branched, nodes and internodes distinct.
Leaf:
Simple, exstipulate, petiolate, cauline and ramal, alternate, lamina cordate, palmately lobed, denticulate, acute, glabrous, coriaceous multicostate, reticulate divergent.
Inflorescence:
Solitary axillary, ebracteate.
Male Flower:
Actinomorphic, unisexual, epigynous, pedicellate, ebracteate, incomplete, pentamerous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, valvate, green.
Corolla:
Companulate, while, petals – 5, limbs spreading valvate.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, synandrous arranged in a groups [(2) + (2)+1], bithecous, extrose; pollens granulae, yellow.
Gynoecium:
Absent.
Female Flower:
Actinomorphic, unisexual, epigynous, incomplete, pedicillate, pentamerous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5, gamosepalous, valvate.
Corolla:
Campanulate, white, petals – 5, valvate, limbs spreading.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 3, syncarpous, ovary inferior, unilocular, ovules a in parietal placentation, style short, stigma forked and feathery.
Fruit:
Pepo, red on ripening; seeds numerous, embedded in proliferated placenta.
Floral Formula
Male Flower:
Female Flower:
Identification:
Plants tendril – climber, leaves palmatifid, flowers unisexual, stamens – 5, in united 3 groups united for a synandrium, carpels – 3, stigma forked, ovules in parietal placentation, fruit pepo.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CUCURBITACEAE.
Leaves pamalifid, flower solitary, anther 2-celled and folded together, corolla campanulate,
Flowers white.
Tendrils simple
……. So, the plant belongs to the genus: Cephalandra
Only one species recorded: grandis
Therefore, the name of the plant Cephaladra grandis (L) Voigt.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 49. Date:
[Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. = Eclipta erecta L.
= E. alba Hassk.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Low herbs, procumbent, with many lateral branches.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, terete, herbaceous, aerial, erect, branched, hairy and light brownish in colour.
Leaf:
Simple, sessile, exstipulate, cauline and ramal, opposite decussate, elliptic lanceolate, crenulate, acute, hairy, green, dorsiventral, unicostate, reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Capitulum, axillary, heterogamous; penduncle erect, peripheral flowers (ray florets) ligulate type, central flowers (disc florets) tubular type, involucral bracts greenish, 2-rowed, outer ones broad.
Ray Floret:
Peripheral, bracteate, sessile, incomplete, zygomorphic, unisexual, pistillate, tetramerous, epigynous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 4, modified into scales, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals – 4, gamopetalous, valvate, ligulate, deciduous, white; corolla tube long, narrow, limbs laterally expanded, the posterior two petals reduced to dentate structure.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, ovary inferior, unilocular, narrowly oblong, ovule, one, anatropous, basal, style short and terminal, stigma bifid, exserted.
Disc Floret:
Numerous, spirally arranged, present in centre, bracteate, sessile, complete, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, tetramerous, epigynous and cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals – 4, modified into pappus, persistent.
Corolla:
Corolla tubular, petals -4- 5, gamopetalous, valvate, white, deciduous, lobes – 4 – 5, finely hairy.
Androecium:
Stamens – 4 – 5, epipetalous, included; filament long, glabrous, white; anthers dithecous, basifixed, syngenecious dehiscence by apical pores, base rounded; connective produced at tip ; pollens grannular.
Cynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous, ovary inferior, unilocular, one anatropo, ovule in basal placentation, style short, exserted; stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Cypsella.
Flora Formula:
Identification:
A herb with opposite leaves, flowers epigynous, much reduced (florets), in capitulum, 2 types (i) ray & (ii) disc; ray florets zygomorphic, female, with ligulate corolla; disc florets actinomorphic, bisexual, with tubular corolla; calyx modified into scaly pappus, stamens – 5, epipetalous; anthers syngenesious, dehiscing by apical pores; connective produced; ovary 1 chambered, with single, basal, anatropous ovule, style – 1, stigmas – 2; fruit a cypsella, 1 – seeded; seeds exalbuminous.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE).
Corollas flatly expanded from a tubular base (ligulate), then only the marginal florets of the flower-head (ray florets) so expanded; Style arms long, distinct;
Flowers heterogamous, anther appendaged at apex;
Receptacle paleaceous, anthers sub-entire at the base, bracts of the involucre 1 – many seriate, heads radiate, leaves opposite.
Anther united in a tube;
Heads many flowered.
Corolla of all the florets deciduous, Inner bracts of the involucre all flat, Scales of the receptacle flat, very narrow, usually few disc florets, 4-toothed ; ligules small, pappus present, shortly 2-awned ; outer bracts of the involucre numerous.
……. So, the plant belongs to the genus: Eclipta.
Only one species recorded in the key: alba.
Therefore, the name of the plant: Eclipta alba (L.) L.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 50. Date:
[Tridax procumbens L.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Low herb, procumbent, with many opposite branches.
Root:
Tap-root not supplied, adventitious roots from nodes and internodes touching the soil, narrow, much branched.
Stem:
Solid, terete, herbaceous, without any exudate, green, upper (sun facing) side brownish, hispid, divided into nodes and internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite-decussate, exstipulate; base narrowly half-amplexicauled; flat, green, hairy; lamina ovate to ovate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, lower ones pinnatisept, upper ones sinuate and dentate to dentatoserrate, acute, suddenly narrowed to the petiole, herbaceous, thick, dorsiventral, green, both surfaces densely covered by short hairs with glandular bases ; veins reticulate, 3 nerved from base.
Inflorescence:
Capitulum, terminal, heterogamous ; peduncle erect, long, terete and represents a single internode, green, hairy ; involucral bracts, 2-rows, free, ovate-lanceolate to subulate, green, purple, produced, much hairy, outer whorl 1-veined and inner whorl 3-veined ; receptacle convex, foveolated ; bracts of inner flowers narrowly subulate, scaly, membranous ; florets spirally arranged, much reduced, two types: (i) Ray Florets & (ii) Disc Florets.
Ray Floret:
3 to 6 in single outer whorl; zygomorphic, epigynhous, female.
Calyx:
Sepals – 4, modified into pappus of numerous plumose bristles, unequal, dull white to hyaline, up to 0.3 cm long, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals – 4, ligulate, deciduous; tube long, narrow, dull yellow, upper 1/4th hairy; limb laterally expanded, 2-3 unequally lobed, middle lobe smallest, yellowish to light yellow a total of 5 nerves unequally distributed, glabrous or sparsely hairy, valvate, deciduous.
Androecium:
Absent.
Gynoecium:
Carpels – 2, syncarpous; ovary inferior, narrowly oblong, base cuneate, flattened, hairy, one-chambered ; ovule ( 0.09 cm long) one, erect, anatropous, on basal placentation ; style terminal, ± 0.4 cm long, exserted, slender, terete, with a bulbous structure little above the base, bifurcated at the tip, yellow, deciduous ; stigma half-contorted, papillose.
Disc Floret:
Numerous, spirally arranged; actinomorphic, epigynous, bisexual.
Calyx:
As in ray florets.
Corolla:
Petals – 4, tubular ± 0.65 cm long, deciduous ; tube cylindric, narrow, ± 0.08 cm in diam. at the middle, glabrous ; lobes 5, ovate, erect, light yellow, finely hairy, valvate.
Androecium:
Stamens – 5, epipetalous, included; filaments long, slender, attached to the corolla tube, ± 0.3 cm long, yellow, glabrous ; anthers syngenecious, ± 0.3 cm long, bithecous, linear, basifixed base almost rounded, dehiscene by apical pores ; connective produced, conical.
Gynoecium:
As in ray-florets.
Fruit:
Cypsella, ± 0.2 x 0.07 cm conical oblong, slightly compressed black, silky, crowned with white bristly pappus, 1-seeded.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with opposite leaves, flowers epigynous, much reduced (florets), in capitulum, 2 types (i) ray and (ii) disc; ray florets zygomorphic, female, with ligulate corolla ; disc florets actinomorphic, bisexual, with tubular corolla ; calyx modified into bristly pappus; stamens 5, epipetalous ; anthers syngenecious, dehiscing by apical pore?, connective produced ; ovary 1-chambered, with single, basal, anatropous ovtile; style 1, stigmas 2; fruit a cypsella, 1-seeded ; seeds exalbuminous:
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE).
Corolla: If any flatly expanded from a tubular base (ligulate) then only the marginal florets of the flower-head (ray florets) so expanded;
Sap not milky;
Style – arms long, distinct:
Flowers, if dissimilar (heterogamous), at least those of disc yellow; Anthers appendaged at the apex;
Receptacle paleaceous ; anthers sub-entire at the base ; bracts of the involucre 1 – many seriate, heads radiate, heterogamous; leaves opposite;
Anthers united into a tube;
Heads many-flowered;
Pappus of numerous scales;
Scales of pappus feathery, fringed, heads medium;
……. So, the plant belongs to the genus: Tridax.
Only one species recorded in the Key: procumbens
Therefore, the name of the plant: Tridax procumbens L.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 51. Date :
[Argemone maxicana Linn.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied in laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A spiney herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, aerial, errect, cylindrical, branched, solid, spiny, green, latek.
Leaf:
Cauline, alternate, exstipulate, simple, semile, semi-amplexicaul, margin dessected, spinary, acute, unicostate, reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Solitary axillary.
Flower:
Ebracteate, pedicellate, complete, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, tetramerous, hypogynous and cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals -3, polysepalous, imbricate, highly cadneous, spiny, slightly boat shaped.
Corolla:
Petals -6, in two whorls of 3 each polypetalous, imbricate, yellow.
Androecium:
Stamens indefinite, polyandrous, filaments long and yellow; dithecous, basifixed, extrose.
Gynoecium:
Tetra to hexacarpellary, syncorpous, ovary, superior, covered with spine, unilocular, ovules many, parietal placentation, style reduced, stigma hood-like.
Fruit:
Capsule, oblong.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A herb with alternate exstipulate leaves, reticulate veination; Flower actinomorphic, hypogynous, trimerous with extrose stamens, Carpel 2-16, apocarpous ovules in parietal placentation; fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: PAPAVERACEAE.
Sepals 3, petals 6, capsule oblong, the stigma, plicate capitate.
……. So, the plant belong to the genus — Argemone.
Only one species reported.
……. So, the species maxicana.
Name of the plant: Argemone maxicana Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants vol. 2 by D. Prain. (1903).
Specimen No. 52. Date:
[Melia azedirachta Linn.]
Specimen:
Twig with flowers and fruits supplied in laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody tree.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, branched, solid, older portions glabrous and brown, younger portions minutely hairy, smooth and greenish.
Leaf:
Alternate exstipulate, compound, unipinnate, imperipinnate, base pulvinus, pinnae ovate to lanceolate, coarsely serrate or entire, glabrous, unicostate, reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary pannicle cyme.
Flower:
Bisexual, complete, actinomorphic, bracteate, pedicillate, pentamerous, hypogynous and cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals -5, polysepalous, basally connate, valvate, hairy.
Corolla:
Petals -5, polypetalous, imbricate, white.
Androecium:
Stamens -10, monadelphous, forming a steminal tube enclosing the ovary, tube cylindrical, dilated at apex and base, apex ten toothed, anthers insested near apex, dithecous, basifixed, introse.
Gynoecium:
Carpels -5 to 8, syncarpous, ovary superior, 5-8 locular with one or two ovules per locule, placentation axile, style long and slender; stigma -5 lobed, a nectariferous disc is present below the ovary.
Fruit:
Drupe.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Leaves exstipulate pinnately compound inflorescence paniculate cyme, flower pentamerous, stamen obdiplostemonous and form a staminal tube, carpel many, syncarpous, ovlues in axile placentation, fruit drupe.
……. So, the plants belong to family: MELIACEAE.
Stamens connate in a tube, Leaflets coarsely serrate, fruit drup, petals imbricate.
……. So, the plants belong to Genus — Melia.
Leaves simple pinnate, flower white, ovary 3-celled, one seeded.
……. So the plants belong to species — azadirachta.
Therefore the name of the plant: Melia azadirachta Linn.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (Vol. 1) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 53. Date:
[Callistemon citrinus (curtis) Skeels. = Callistemon lanceolatus Dc.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appear to be tree.
Habit:
Woody plants.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, branched, solid, glabrous, brownish.
Leaf:
Alternate, exstipulate, simple, sub-sessile lanceolate, entire acute, unicostate, reticulate, present sub-marginal vein, leathery, gland dotted.
Inflorescence:
Pendent intercalary spike.
Flower:
Bisexual, complete, sessile, bracteate, actinomorphic, pentamerous, cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals -5, gamosepalous, imbricate, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals – 5, polypetalous, imbricate, boat-shaped.
Androecium:
Stamens indefinite, polyandrous, filaments bright red and united at the very base forming a staminal sheath dithecous, versatile, introse.
Gynoecium:
Carpels -3, 8, syncarpous, ovary inferior, trilocular, axile placentation, many ovules in each locules, style long and stigma capitate.
Fruit:
Capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Stem woody, leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, presence of sub-marginal veins, stamen, many, thalamus cup-shaped, carpel-3, inferior, syncarpous ovary, axile placentation, capsule fruit.
So, the plant belongs to the family: MYRTACEAE.
Fruit deliscent, leaves alternate and gland dotted, pendent spike, stamen indefinite polyandrous.
Hence the genus — Callistemon
Only one species
— So the species — citrinus
Therefore the name of the plant: Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skill.
Key used:
Flora British India — J. D. Hooker (1918).
Specimen No. 54. Date:
[Coriandrum sativum Linn.]
Specimen:
A twig with flower & fruits are supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appear to be herb.
Habit:
Week herbaceous plants.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, angular, branched, solid, aromatic smell present.
Leaf:
Alternate, exstipulate, compound, petiolate, leaf base sheathing, pinnate narrow, entire, acute, unicostate, reticulate, aromatic smell present.
Inflorescence:
Compound umbel, bracteate.
Flower:
Complete, bisexual, sessile, central flower actinomorphic, peripheral flower zygomorphic, bracteate, epigynous and cyclic.
Calyx:
Sepals -5, polysepalous, valvate, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals -5, polysepalous, valvate, each petal is bilobed, central flower, petals of equal size, peipheral flower, petal unequal.
Androecium:
Stamen -5, polyandrous, filament long and stender, dithecous, dorsifixed and introse.
Gynoecium:
Carpels -2, syncarpous, ovary inferior, trilocular, with one pendulous ovule in each locule, placentation axile, style -2, stigma -2, and capitate. A disc called stylopodium is present below the style.
Fruit:
Cremocarp, splitting into 2 mericarps, subglobose, secondary ridge prominent.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plant herbaceous, stem angular, leaves alternate, exstipulate, compound with inflorescence umbel, flower bisexual, pentamerous, carpel-2, fused with 2 styles on swollen style base (stylopodium) inferior, ovules solitary, axile placentation, fruit schizocarpic—splitting into 2 mericarps.
……. Hence, the plants belongs to the family : “UMBELLIFERAE”
Umbles compound, Leaves compound, secondary ridge of the fruit prominent, fruit subterete, and glabrous.
………… Hence the plants belongs to the Genus— Coriandrum
Only one species
— Hence species — sativum.
Coriandrum sativum L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. 1) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 55. Date:
[Achyranthes aspera Linn.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Branched erect herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, aerial, erect, quadrangular, branched, solid, hairy, and green.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite decussate, exstipulate, sub-sessile, elliptric-ovate, entire, acute, unicostate, reticulate, rough, coriaceous.
Inflorescence:
Spike in which flowers are sharply deflexed.
Flower:
Bracteate, bracteolate, bracts and bracteoles have spinous tips, sessile, complete, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, pentamerous, hypogynous and cyclic.
Perianth:
Tepals -5, polytepalous, quineuncial, membranous and chaffy.
Androecium:
Stamens 10 in 2 whorls of 5 each, the outer whorl is reduced to fimbriate staminodes, monadelphous, filaments thin, dithecons, versatile and introse.
Gynoecium:
Bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, unilocular with a single ovule on a basal placentation, style stigma knob-like.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herb with alternate to opposite leaves, exstipulate, flower small, hermaprodite, actinomorphic, bracteate, Perianth 5, sepaloid; stamens-5 to 10, anteposed; Gynoecium 2-3, syncarpous, superior, unilocular with 1 to few ovules.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: AMARANTHACEAE.
Leaves opposite, not fascicles, overy 1-celled, flowers perfect, stamens with interposed staminodes.
……. So, the plant belong to the genus — Achyranthes.
Bracteole ovate, tipped with a spine, staminodes fimbriate, inflorescence spike, leaves valvety tomentose, obovate, elliptic.
……. So, the species: aspera.
Name of the plant: Achyranthes aspera. Linn.
Key Used:
Bengal plants (2 vols.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 56. Date:
[Trigonella corniculata Linn.]
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Erect herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, aerial, erect, cylindrical, branched, solid, green, puberulous.
Leaf:
Stipulate, stipule adnate, leaf compound, pinnately trifoliate, main nerves of the leaflets usually ex-current as marginal teeth.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, sub-umbellate to densely racemed on very elongated axillary penduncles, bracts minute.
Flower:
Bracteatc, pedicellate, complete, zygomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous, cyclic, 6-10 flowers cluster together, gamopetalous.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, connate in a tubular calyx, teeth distinct, sub-equal, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, papilionaceous, free from the staminal tube; standard obovate or oblong, short clawed, wings oblong, longer than obtuse keel.
Androecium:
Stamens -10; diadelphous (9 + 1), filament filiform, anther with vexillary attachment.
Gynoecium:
Carpels -1, apocarpus, superior, style filiform, stigma terminal, ovary, sessile, many ovuled in marginal placentum.
Fruit:
Legume, indehiscent lomentum, pod flat, linear, falcately recurved.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous, bisexual, zygomorphic flower with papilionaceous corolla, diadelphous stamens (9+1), unicarpellary, superior ovary, ovules in marginal placentation, fruit legume, indehiscent lomentum.
……. Hence plant belongs to the family: PAPILIONACECE (FABACEAE).
Leaves pinnately trifoliate, pod indehiscent, flattened, straight.
……. So, the plant belong to genus — Trigonella.
Diffused herb, flowers 6-10 closely racemose forms, flat, straight.
……. So, the plant belongs to species corniculata.
Hence the plant is Trigonella conniculata L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 57. Date
[Mikania scandens Willd ]
Specimen:
A portion of flowering twig.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Climber.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, cylindrical, solid, green, branched.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, opposite, obovate, entire, acute, reticulate, unicostate, glossy.
Inflorescence:
Capitulum, usually 2-4 flowered, spicate, involucre oblong, bracts -4.
Flower:
Bracteate, sessile, complete, actinomorphic, bisexual, inferior.
Calyx:
Sepals modified into hairs.
Corolla:
Petals -5, gamopetalous, connate in equal, regular, slender, tubular corollas, limb campanulate, 5 fid.
Androecium:
Stamens — five, syngenesious, anther appendiculate, with obtuse base.
Gynoecium:
Carpel -1, inferior, style with long acute arm, ovuls in basal placentation.
Fruit:
Cypsela, 5 angled.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous leaves simple, opposite, flower epigynous, inflorescence capitulum, flower with reduced calyx, calyx modified into papus, statemens -5, syngenesious, ovary 1 celled with basal placentation, fruit cypsella.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: COMPOSITAE.
Flower white corolla tubular, style arm long, capitulum few flowered, leaves opposite, calyx modified into hairy papus, involucre bracts – 4.
……. So, the plant belong to the genus — Mikania.
Only one species
……. So, the plant belong to species — scandens.
Key used:
Thus the plant is Mikania scandens Willd. Bengal plants (2 volm.): by D. Prain. (1903)
Specimen No. 58. Date:
[Canna indica L.]
Specimen:
Flowering twig with fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Errect tall herb.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, shoot arises from modified corm-like underground stem, aerial parts covered with large leaf base.
Leaf:
Leaves simple, exstipulate, large, oblong, acute, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Bracteate, bract small ovate, flower in lax terminate racemes.
Flower:
Zygomorphic, bisexual, complete epigynous, large, showy & bracteate, polysepalous.
Calyx:
Sepals-3, small, polysepalous, small, oblong — lanceolate.
Corolla:
Petals-3, gamopetalous, connate in a corolla with cylindric tube, lobes lanceolate, equal.
Androecium:
Stamens-1, half lobe of anther perfect, all 5j modified into coloured showy petaloid stamenodia.
Gynoecium:
Carpel -3, syncarpous, epigynous, style petaloid, stigma terminal, oblique, ovary three celled with numerous ovules in each cell, axile placentation.
Fruit:
Capsule, globose, echinate surface.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous plants with rhizomatous stem, leaves large simple laceolate with prominent midrib and sheathing leaf base. Inflorescences in condensed raceme, flower — bisexual, epigynous, calyx-3, corrola-3, basally connote, stamens bulky modified into petalloid stamenodia, Carpel-3, syncarpous, inferior with ovules in axile placentation.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CANACEAE.
Single genus in India.
……. So, the plant belong to the genus — Carina.
Single species under the genus.
……. So, the plant belong to species — indica.
Name of the plant: Canna indica L.
Key used:
Flora of British India (7 volumes) by J. D. Hooker (1908).
Specimen No. 59. Date:
[Vanda roxburghii. R. Br.]
Specimen:
Whole plant with flower & fruits.
Habitat:
Epiphytic.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Aerial roots.
Stem:
Herbaceous, partially woody stem, partially covered with sheathing leaf base.
Leaf:
Leaves long, lanceolate, exstipulate, sessile, thickly coriaceous, fleshy, flat, keeled.
Inflorescence:
Large, showy, lax racemes.
Flower:
Bisexual, epigynous, medianly zygomorphic, bracteate.
Calyx:
Sepals -3, polysepalous, equal in size.
Corolla:
Petals -3, irregular in size, median petal larger-termed as labellum or lip, labellum provided with a spur.
Androecium:
Stamens -1, anther 2-celled, rostellum small, pollinia -2, attached, didymous globose ovoid, caudicle short & broad.
Gynoecium:
Carpel -3, syncarpous, ovary inferior, 1 celled with three double parietal placentae bearing many ovules, stigma trifid, stricky, situated below rostellum and facing the labellum.
Fruit:
Capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Epiphytic herb with long lanceolate leathery leaf, raceme inflorescence, bisexual, epigynous flower with 3 + 3 perianth, medium petal modified into labellum, stamen 1, produces pollinia each pollinium bears a cord the caudicle and a sticky end retinacula; carpel-3, syncarpous, inferior ovary, ovule in perietal placentatiom, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ORCHIDACEAE.
Epiphytic herbs with stem covered with leaf bases, leaves thickly coriaceous, flat, keeled, flowers large showy, raceme, petals large medianly, base spurred, pollinia attached, caudicle very broad.
……. Hence the plant belong to genus —Vanda.
Leaves flat, petals greenish, median one large with lip violet.
……. So, the plant belong to species — roxburghii.
Name of the plant: Vanda roxburghii R.Br.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain (1093).
Specimen No. 60. Date
[Cyperus rotundus Linn.]
Specimen:
Whole plant with flower supplied.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
Diffused herb.
Root:
Fibrous type.
Stem:
Rhizomatous stem with upright triangular, solid axis.
Leaf:
Three ranked with a narrow blade, leaf sheath closed eligulate.
Inflorescence:
Spike with bracts & bracteoles, glumes distichous, rachilla persistent.
Flower:
Small, subtended by chaffy bracts, zygomorphic, bisexual, superior.
Perianth:
Reduced brisder like.
Androecium:
Stamens-3, anther linear, basifixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-3, united, ovary celled with a solitary basal ovule, stigma-3, style short.
Fruit:
Trigonous nut.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Perennial herb, with 3 ranked leves, spikelet conspicuous, glumes distichous, flower bisexual, perianth empty or bristle life, stamen-3, free carpel-3, united, ovary with basal placentation; trigonous nut.
…… Hence the plant belongs to the family: CYPERACEAE.
Spikelet with lower glumes empty, glumes distichous, style 3 fid, spikelet rachilla persistent.
……. So the plant belongs to the genus — Cyperus.
Leaves long, shirome stoloniferous, rachilla of spikelets distinctly winged.
……. So the plant belongs to the species — rotundus.
Name of the plant: Cyperus rotundus L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 61. Date:
[Scirpus articulatus L.]
Specimen:
Whole plant with spikelet supplied.
Habitat:
Plants of marsh habitat.
Habit:
Herb of sallow water bodies.
Root:
Fibrous root system.
Stem:
Stem short rhizomatous with upright trigonous sprout, covered with sheathing leaf base, articulated stem.
Leaf:
Leaf scale like, lies at the base of the stem axis.
Inflorescence:
Spikelets sessile, many flowered, glumes spirally imbricate round a stout or slender rachilla.
Flower:
Bisexual, hypogynous, zygomorphic.
Perianth:
Flowering glume spirally arranged, perianth part absent.
Androecium:
Stamens-3, anther linear.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-3, syncarpous, superior, stigma-3, slender, style single, ovary one chamber with basal ovules, base of the style passing gradually into fruit.
Fruit:
Trigonous nut.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Perennial herb, with 3 ranked leaves, spikelet conspicuous, glumes prominent, flower bisexual, hypogynous perianth-0, stamen-3, free, carpel-3 syncarpous, ovary with ovules in basal placentation, trigonous nut.
…. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CYPERACEAE.
Flowering glume spirally arranged, base of the style passing gradually into the fruit, articulated stem, leaf at the base only.
…………. So the plant belongs to the genus— Scirpus.
Spikelet terete, glumes slightly keeled, stem terete.
…………. So the plant belongs to the species articulatus.
Name of the plant: Scirpus articulatus L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volumes) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 62. Date :
[Sagittaria sagittifolia L.]
Specimen:
Whole plant with flowers.
Habitat:
Plants of marsh area.
Habit:
Perennial marshy erect herb.
Root:
Fibrous type.
Stem:
Bulbous rhizomatous with lateral sprouts.
Leaf:
Long petioled, elliptic—cordate to sagittate, multicostate, reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Bactreate, paniculate whorl.
Flower:
Unisexual, actinomorphic, hypogynous, receptacle globose.
Calyx:
Sepal-3, free, herbaceous, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals-3, polypetalous, membranous, deciduous, white, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens in male flower—many, free, staminodes in female flower, filament filiform.
Gynoecium:
Carpel many, crowded on a large globose receptacle, style apical, stigma papillose, apocarpous, ovules in marginal placentation.
Fruit:
Crested or winged achenes in cluster.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Perennial aquatic herb, stout rhizomatous stem, leaf long petiolate, sagittate, inflorescence panicle on scape, flower unisexual, parianth 3 + 3, free imbricate, stamens—many, carpel—many, apocarpous, ovary superior, ovules in marginal placentation, fruit clusters of achenes.
….Hence the plant belongs to the family: ALISMATACEAE.
Fruit indehiscent, cluster of achines, stamens many, receptacle globose, flower unisexual.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the Genus— Sagittaria.
Leaves, hastate, stamens about 24 in ♂ flowers, staminods in female flowers.
……. So the plant belongs to the species — sagittifolia.
Name of the plant: Sagittaria sagittifolia L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volms.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 63. Date:
[Ottelia allismoides Pers. ]
Specimen:
Whole flowing plant.
Habitat:
Aquatic herbs of marshy place.
Habit:
Errect aquatic herb.
Root:
Fibrous type.
Stem:
Slender rhizomatous, surrounded by seathing leaf bases.
Leaf:
Long petioled, ovate—lanceolate oblong, reticulate multicostate.
Inflorescence:
Pedicelate, solitory, ebracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, hypogynous, actinomorphic.
Calyx:
Sepals -3, linear, or oblong.
Corolla:
Petals-3, larger, obovate, with fleshy basal appendages.
Androecium:
Stamens-10, > 2 seriate, anther erect.
Gynoecium:
Carpels—few oblong, beaked, > 6 celled ovary, ovules many, placenta diffuse, styles -6, linear, 2 fid.
Fruit:
Oblong, enclosed in the spathe, 3-6 winged.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Aquatic herb, with long petrolate leaves, leaves clustered, flower solitory, bisexual sepaI-3, petal-3, free, stamen—many, carpels—many, placentation parietal, Fruit—berry like, winged.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: HYDROCHARITACEAE.
Leaves with long petiole flower solitary, ovary beaked.
……. So the plant belongs to the genus — Ottelia.
Only one species.
……. So the plant belongs to the species — alismoides.
Name of the plant: Ottelia alismoides Pers.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volms.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 64:
Date:
[Eichhornea crassipes Solms.]
Specimen:
Whole plant with flower supplied.
Habitat:
Floating macrophylic plants.
Habit:
Marshy herbs.
Root:
Fibrous type.
Stem:
Slender stoloniferous.
Leaf:
Arising singly on the stem mostly enveloped with sheathing leaf base, fleshy, with long swollen petiole.
Inflorescence:
Terminal raceme with spathaceous bracts.
Flower:
Bisexual, hypogynous, medianly zygomorphic, with minute bracts and bracteoles.
Perianth:
Tepals-3 + 3, petaloid, usually tubulor, persistent, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-3 + 3, in two rows, out row adnate to sepals, inner row adnate petals, anther elongated, basifixed, longitudinal dehiscence.
Gynoecium:
Carpels -3, syncarpous superior ovary -3 celled with axile placentation.
Fruit:
Loculicidal capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Perennial aquatic herb, with slender stout stem, leaves with sheathing leaf base, long swollen petiole, flowers in terminal raceme, bisexual, hypogynous, bracteate, perianth 3 + 3, petaloid, free, stamens-3 + 3, epipetalous, carpel-3, syncarpous, superior, ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule.
…….. Hence plant belongs to the family: PONTEDERIACEAE.
Ovary trilocular, stemens, -6 in two rows….
……. So the plant belongs to the gemus — Eichhornea.
There is only one species.
……. So the spacies is crassipes.
Name of the plant: Eichhornea crassipes Solms.
Key used:
Bengal plants (2 volms.) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 65:
Date:
[Shorea robusta Glertm.]
Specimen:
Flowering twigs supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody tree branch.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, glabrous, divided into distinct nodes and internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, stipulate, petiolate, coriaceous, reticulate, unicostate, lateral veins sub-parallel, acute, entire.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in axillary panicled cyme, bracts caducous.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, complete, extrose, pentamerous.
Calyx:
SepaIs-5, polysepalous, adnate to the thalamus tube very short, segments, imbricate, persistent, and three accrescent in fruit.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous, twisted, pale colour.
Androecium:
Stamens-15 or 20 or numerous, free, anthers with usually subulate, cuspidate connective.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-3, syncarpous, superior, ovary 3 locular, style subulate, stigma entire, ovules 2 in each locules, placentation axile.
Fruit:
Leathery indehiscent samara with persistent calyx segment.
Seed:
Solitory with large fleshy cotyledons, exalbuminous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Tree, leaves coriaceous, entire, lateral veins sub-parallel, stipule enclosing the bud, Inflorescence paniculate cyme, flower bisexual, regular, superior, calyx-5 lobed, petals-5, twisted, stamen—many free, anther linear acuminate, ovary -3 locular, and each cell with two ovules, ovules in axile placentation, fruits indehiscent samaroid.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: DIPTEROCARPACEAE.
Ovary 3-celled, each cell 2-ovuled, stigma united, seeds exalbuminous, sepals free, three outer calyx lobes expanded in fruit.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the genus: Shorea.
Leaves, coriaceous, dark green, ovate acute, fruit leathery indehiscent samaroid type.
……. Hence the species — robusta.
……. Name of the plant: Shorea robusta Gaertn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) – – by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 66:
Date:
[Passiflora foetida Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Twining plants with tendrils.
Habit:
Climbing/twining.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, partially woody; with nodes & internodes, hairy stem, with simple tendril.
Leaf:
Simple, palmately lobed, with glands on under surface, petiolate, stipulate, alternate, reticulate, margin entire.
Inflorescence:
Solitary, axillary cyme with bracteoles.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, complete, hypogynous, blue colour, extrose, large showy.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, polysepalous, imbricate, connate at base and fused with the formation of short calyx tube.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gamopetalous, inserted on calyx — throat, with corona of slender filaments within the corolla.
Androecium:
Stamen-5, arising from apex of gynandrophore, filament flat, another oblong, dorsifixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-3, syncarpous, connate in a one celled ovary situated on top of gynandrophore, ovules many in 3 parietal placental groups, style -3, stigma reniforms, capitate.
Fruits:
A fleshy berry.
Seed:
Many in a fruits, arillate.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plant twining shrubs, leaves alternate, simple, lobed, stipulate with simple tendril on stem; flower regular, hermaphrodite, with bracteoles, sepals-5, petals-5, united to form a tube, corona present, stamens-5, lies on gynandrophore, anther oblong-2 celled, basifixed; Carpel-3, syncarpous, ovary one chamber, ovules in parietal placentation, fruit berry, seed many, arillate.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: PASSIFLOREAE.
Flower hermaphrodite, corona of corolla conspicuous, tendril bearing herbs.
Hence the gemus—Passiflora.
Flower large, showy, bracts- 3, leaflets of the involucre finely pinnatifid.
……. Hence the species—foetida.
……. Name of the plant—Passiflora foetida Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (vol. I) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 67:
Date:
[Quisqualis indica Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig supplied in the laboratory.
Habitat:
Terrestrial, twining, lianous.
Habit:
Branched climbing lianous form.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody, with nodes & internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, superposed, oblong, entire, petiolate, exstipulate. reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in short axillary cyme, bracteole small.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, epigynous, red or white.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, gamosepalous, connate in an urceolate, deciduous, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, small, polypetalous, twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens-10, short, free, anther-bilobed, medianly fixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-1, apocarpus, inferior, style filiform, stigma sub-capitate, ovules 3-4, pendulous from apex.
Fruit:
A dry, coriaceous, 5 angled or 5-winged, sub-indehiscent drupe.
Seed:
Solitary, cotyledons not convolute.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plant tree, shrubs in climber, leaves opposite, simple, flower hermaphrodite inferior, sepals-5, connate, petals-5, free, stamens-10 free, filament filiform, carpel-1, ovary with 3-4 ovules in pendulous forms, fruit indehiscent, drup.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: COMBRETACEAE.
Inflorescence in spike, calyx lobes valvate petals -5, calyx deciduous, calyx limb 5 fid, calyx tube long.
……. Hence the plants belong to genus: Quisqualis.
Only one species in thus genus.
……. Hence the species—indica.
……. Name of the plant—Quisqualis indica Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 68:
Date:
[Bombax ceiba L = Bombax malabaricum D C.]
Specimen:
Twig with flowers and fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Habit:
A woody tree.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, with prickels, nodes & internodes distinct.
Leaf:
Digitately compound, petiolate, stipulate, leaflet reticulate, unicostate, elagate to ovate, acute, entire, alternately arranged on stem, deciduous.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in axillary or sub-terminal, solitary or clustered, bracteoles present.
Flower:
Bisexual, complete, regular, hypogynous, pentamerous, pedunculate, scarlet red colour.
Calyx:
Sepals – 5. gamosepalous, forming a cup, vaivate.
Corolla:
Petals -5, polypetalous adnate below to staminal tube, twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens—numerous, connate below in a tube, dividing upwards more or less complicatedly into 5 clusters, stamenodia present, ultimate filament terminated by one celled anther.
Gynoecium:
Ovary 5 celled, syncarpous, superior, style filiform stigma -5, often very minute, ovules in each cell numerous placentation axile.
Fruit:
5-valved capsule, valves woody or coriaceous, woolly within, seeds globose, embedded in the woolly packing derived from the endocarp, testa thin, albumen scanty.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
A woody tree with alternate palmately compound leaves, stem with prickle or the surface flower solitary, regular, bisexual, calyx united, corolla free, twisted, stamen many and united at base, carpel -5, syncarpus ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule.
Hence the plant belongs to the family: BOMBACACEAE.
Flower large showy, regular, stamen many with staminodia, carpel-5, syncarpus, fruit capsule with woolly or pitty pericarp.
………….. Hence the genus— Bombax.
Flower petal fleshy, scarlaet red colour, solitary, pendunculate type.
………….. Hence the plant belongs to species — ceiba.
Name of the plant: Bombax ceiba L.
Key used:
Flora of British India — J. D. Hooker (1908) (vol. 1 to 7).
Specimen No. 69:
Date:
[Grewia asiatica L.]
Specimen:
Twig with flowers and fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A woody tree.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, hairy, with distinct, nodes & internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, stipulate, alternate, entire, serrate, acute, coriaceous, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in axillary or extra-axillary cymes.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, complete, hypogynous, extrose, superior.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, polysepalous, valvate, deciduous.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous, twisted, glandular at the base.
Androecium:
Stamens — many, lies on a raised torns, staminode — absent, filament free, anther bicelled.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, ovary 2 locules with only in axile placentation, style subulate stigma shortly lobed.
Fruit:
Drupe like fleshy 1-2 seeded.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Plants woody, leaves single alternate, stipulate, flowers regular, bisexual, axillary cyme, pentamerous, stamens many united at the base, anther 2— celled carpel-2, syncarpus, ovules in axile placentation, fruit drup like.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: TILIACEAE.
Petals thin, twisted in bud, sepals distinct, stamens springing from apex of torus, fruit drupaceous.
Hence the genus—Grewia.
Inflorescence in axillary clustered cymes, Drupe fleshy, Leaves broad, stipule lanceolate.
……. Hence the species — asiatica.
Name of the plant: Grewia asiatica L.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (Vol. I) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 70:
Date:
[Madhuca indica Gmel.] = Bassia latifolia L.
Specimen:
Twigs with flowers and fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A woody tree.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, with distinct nodes & internodes, with milky latex.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, alternate, ovate, entire, acute, coriaceous, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Solitary, pendunculate, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, superior.
Calyx:
Sepals-4, in two whorls, united at the base, persistent, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-8, gamopetalous, imbricate, united to form a funnel.
Androecium:
Stamens many, epipetalous, in 2-3 whorls, outer whole forming stamenodia, anther-2 celled, introse, dehiscent longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-5, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, style terminal, stigma filiform.
Fruit:
Fleshy drup, 1 seeded.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Trees with milky latex, leaves single, alternate, exstipulate, inflorescence solitary, flower bisexual, regular, superior, gamopetalous, petals in funnel shaped corolla, stamen many epipetalous, arranged in 4—5 wholes, carpel-5, syncarpous ovules in axile placentation, fruit drupe, one seeded.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: SAPOTACEAE.
Corolla lobes are more numerous than calyx lobes, staminodes absent, seed albuminous.
……. Hence the genus—Madhuca.
One species in this genus.
……. Hence the species—indica.
Name of the plant: Madhuca indica Gmel.
Key used:
Bengal Plants (Vol. 2) by D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 71:
Date:
[Cardiospermum helicacabum L.]
Specimen:
A flowing twig with fruit is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
A weak climber.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Herbaceous, soft stem, with climbing habit, nodes & internodes prominent.
Leaf:
Alternate, pinnately compound, exstipulate, petiolate, leaflet ovate, dentate, acute, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, panicle, ebracteate, axis tendrilar.
Flower:
Small, regular, obliquely zygomorphic, bisexual, superior.
Calyx:
Sepals-4, polysepalous, imbricate, deciduous.
Corolla:
Petals—4, polypetalous, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-8, free, extrastaminal disc present, filament hairy, anther bi-celled.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-3, syncarpous, superior, ovary with 3 locules (one in each chamber) & ovules in axile placentation, style terminal, stigma trifid.
Fruit:
Dry capsule, inflated.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Climbing herb with alternate pinnately compound leaves, flower bisexual, irregular, extrastaminal disc present, polypetalous, stamens-8, free, carpel-3, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, fruit dry capsule:
……. Hence the plant belongs to family: SAPINDACEAE.
Tendril bearing climber leaves alternate, stipule -O, ovule solitary in each carpel, fruit inflated capsule.
……. Hence the Genus Cardiospermum.
One species in this genus.
……. Hence the species — halicacabum.
Specimen No. 72:
Date:
[Plumbago zeylanica L.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appear to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody shrubs.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, pubescent hairy, with distinct nodes and internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, ovate, entire, acute, exstipulate, petiolate, unicostate, reticulate.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in spikate axis, bracts & bracteoles small, rachis pubescent.
Flower:
Complete, bisexual, regular, hypogynous, introse, large, white.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, gamosepalous, connate in a tubular calyx, covered with stalked glands, limb 5—fid, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous, connate in a long, slender, tubular corolla; lobes round, twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens-5, opposite to petals, often epipetalous, filament linear, dialated at the base, anther oblong, bilocular, introse, dehiscing longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-5, syncarpous, superior, style slender, filiform, ovary one chamber, unilocular, basal placentation, stigma simple, five fid.
Fruit:
Capsule, circumscissile near the base, seed solitary, albumen scanty.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Shruby plants with alternate simple entire leaf, flowers in terminal spike state, each flower bisexual, superior, regular bracteate, corolla tube long, calyx tube with stalked glands, stamen-5, epipetallous carpel-5, syncarpous with one chamber ovary, ovule in basal placentation, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to family: PLUMBAGINACEAE.
Style -1, filiform, stigma five fid stamens free at the top, basally epipetalous.
……. Hence the genus — Plumbago.
Leaves ovate, rachis of spike pubescent, corolla white.
……. Hence the species — zeylonica.
Name of the plant: Plumbago zeylanical L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimenr No. 73:
Date:
[Pergularia daemia Choiv.
= Daemia extensa R. Br.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appear to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Twining climber.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, cylindrical, woody, pubescent, with distinct nodes & internodes, with milky latex.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite petrolate, stipulate cordate, entire, acute, reticulate, unicostate, glabrous.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in corymbose cyme, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, complete, regular, hypogynous pedunculate, greenish white.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, gamosepalous, connate in a 5—partite calyx, glandular within, lobes acute, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gamopetalous, connate in a shortly funnel shaped corolla, lobes large, wide ovate, overlapping to the right, spurred behind.
Androecium:
Stamen-5, adnate to the corolla tube, filaments connate in a column, anthers with membranous inflexed tips, pollen in sac like pollinia attached in sigma angle as gynostegium.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-2, syncarpous, superior, ovary-2, style terminal, fused at the top, stigma anguler with concave top, ovules in axile placentation.
Fruit:
Paired follicles.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Erect climbing shrubs with milky latex, leaves simple, entire, exstipulate, opposite, inflorescence cymose, flower bisexual, regular, hypogynous, sepal -5, united at the base, corolla-5 united, with corna appendage, stamens-5, connate in a hollow column enclosing the style, anther in the form of pollinia, adnate to the stigma angle as gynostegium, carpel-2, syncarpons, ovules in axile placentation, fruit a pair of follicles.
……. Hence, the plant belongs to the family: ASCLEPIADACEAE.
Filament connate, pollen masses forming pollinia, corona double, outer corona conspicuous -5 lobed, alternate with anther, stem twining.
……. Hence the genus: Daemia (Pargubria).
One species in this genus.
……. Hence the species: extensa (daemia).
Name of the plant: Pargulauria daemia Choiv. = Daemia extensa R. Br.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. 2) by D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 74:
Date:
[Barleria cristata Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody, herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical with distinct nodes & internodes, node hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite, decussate, lanceolate, entire acute, reticulate, unicostate, glossy.
Inflorescence:
Solitary flower in cluster around the nodes, with bracts & bracteoles, bracteole ovate, acuminate.
Flower:
Bisexual, hypogynous, introse, zygomorphic sessile, blue.
Calyx:
Sepals-4, gamosepalous, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-5 limb, gamopetalous.
Androecium:
Stamens-4, didynamous, two large fertile, epipetalous, anther 2-celled, longitudinal dehiscence.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, superior, ovary 2 celled, ovules in axile placentation two ovules in each locules, style slender, terminal, stigma lobed.
Fruit:
Capsule.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Woody shrubs, leaves opposite, flowers in cluster at nodes with bracts & bracteoles, flower bisexual, irregular, sepals-4, connate, petals-5 connate — tubular, stamens-4, didynemous, carpel-2, superior, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Erect non-climbing plant, corolla lobes imbricate, ovules 2 in each chamber, anther bi-celled sepals-4, stamen-4, large sessile.
Hence the genus: Barleria.
Bushy plant, flower blue, bracteoles—ovate, accumulate. ……
Hence the species : Cristata.
Name of the plant: Barleria cristata L.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 75:
Date:
[Lippia geminata H. B. & K.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody, prennial shrubs.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, angular, hairy, with nodes & internodes, odorous.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite, decussate, ovate, crenate, acute, reticulate, unicostate, coriaceous.
Inflorescence:
A dense spicate head, axillary, bracteate, lowest flower opening first.
Flower:
Bisexual, zygomorphic, hypogynous, polygamous.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, gamosepalous, tubular, persistent, lobes valvate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gamopetalous, bell shaped with obliquely spreading limbs, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-4; epipetalous, didynamous, filament free above, anther bi-celled.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-2, syncarpous, superior, bicelled, style terminal, stigma-2 lobed, ovary 2 chamber, ovules single in each chamber, axile placentation.
Fruit:
Small, dry, one seeded.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Stem woody, angular, leaves opposite, decussate, exstipulate, inflorescence in dense head on axillary stalk, bracteate, flower bisexual, superior, regular, calyx-5, gamosepalous, corolla-5, gamopetalous, bell shaped with spreading limbs, stamens-4, epipetalous, didynamous, anther bi-celled, carpel-2, syncarpous, superior, ovary two chamber, one ovules in axile placentation, fruit drupaceous.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: VERBENACEAE.
Inflorescence dense spikes, lowest flower, opening first, stamen-4, shruby, fruit small & dry.
……. Hence the genus — Lippia.
Leaves ovate, crenate, perennial erect shrubs.
……. Hence the species — geminata.
Name of the plant: Lippia geminata H. B. & K.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 76:
Date:
[Zizyphus jijuba Lamk.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig with flower & fruits supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody shrubs.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody, cylindrical, spiny with distinct nodes & internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, stipulate, petiole short, ovate, crenulate, acute, reticulate, three nerved, pubsescent, glabrous above.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in sessile cymes, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, superior, extrose, whitish yellow.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, gamosepalous, lobes spreading, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polysepalous, cuculiate, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-5, opposite & nestling under the petals, filament free, anthers bi-celled.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-3, syncarpous, style three, stigma papillose, ovules in axile placentation, over sunk in a disc.
Fruit:
Indehiscent, drupaceous, fleshy.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Errect shubs, often spiny, leaves simple, alternate, stipute small, flowers in sessile cyme, each flower regular, bisexual, superior, sepals-4, valvate, petals -5, free, stamenr-5, carpel-3, ovules in axile placentation fruit indehiscent, fleshy.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: RHAMNACEAE.
Leaf reticulate, 3-nerved, ovary sunk on a disc., fruit fleshy.
Hence the genus — Zizyphus.
Flowers in sessile axillary cymes, leaf more or less pubescent (glabrous above & woody beneath).
……. Hence the species – jujube.
Name of the plant: Zazyphus jujube Lamk.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. 1) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 77:
Date:
[Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig with fruit supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody shrubs to free.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical to square, branched, with distinct nodes & internodes, hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite distichous, partly alternate, entire lanceolate to ovate, acute, glossy, green, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Large, showy in axillary or terminal cyme, bracteate, bracteoles 2 on the pedicels.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, complete, superior.
Calyx:
Sepals-6, gamosepalous, funnel-shaped tube, surface grooved, valvate persistent.
Corolla:
Petals-6, polypetalous, inserted at the apex of calyx tube, with distinct claw, margin fimbriate twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens — many, inserted near the base of calyx tube, filaments long, exserted anther bi-celled, basifixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-5, syncarpous, superior, ovules many axile placentation, style long, curved, stigma capitate.
Fruit:
Ellipsoid, woody capsule, seeds many.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Shrubs to trees, with often angular branches, leaves entire, opposite to alternate, flower, regular, bisexual, sepals connate, persistent, united to form a tube, petals-6, free, stamens — many, free, filament free, anther bicelled; carpel-5, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, fruit woody capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: LYTHRACEAE.
Clayx thickly herbaceous, flower symmetrical, stamen many in several rows, capsule 5-celled.
……. Hence the genus —Lagerstroemia.
Calyx tube rubbed leaves long, lanceolate to ovate.
……. Hence the species — speciosa.
Name of the plant: Lagerstroemia speciosa (L) Pers.
Key used:
Flora of British India — Hooker J. D. (1918).
Specimen No. 78:
Date:
[Stellaria media Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Soft, angular, branched, with distinct nodes and internodes, hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite, decussate obovate, entire, acute, reticulate, unicostate, glabrous.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in dichotomous cymes, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, superior, white, extose.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, polysepalous, connate at the base, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous bifid twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens-5, free, anther bi-celled.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-5, syncarpous, superior, ovary unilocular, ovules in free central placentation, style—3.
Fruit:
Capsule .
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous branched creeping plants, with opposite leaves, bisexual flowers in dichasial cyme, sepals-5 & free, petals-5 & free, stamens-5 & free, carpel -3, syncarpous, free central placentation, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE.
Calyx-5, free; style—3, free; petals-5 two fid, free.
……. Hence the genus — Stellaria.
Only one species.
……. Hence species — media.
Name of the plant: Stellaria media Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 79:
Date:
[Artabotrys hexapetala (L.F.) Bhandari ]
Specimen:
A flower twig with fruits is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Woody shrubs.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical, branched, with distinct nodes & internodes hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, lanceolate, entire, acute, glossy, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in axillary, solitary cyme, bracteate, penducle looked.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, superior, extrose, polyphyllous.
Calyx:
Sepals-3, free, polypetalous, valvate.
Corolla:
Petals-6, free, polypetalous in two wholes, valvate sepaline, attached to convex receptacle, base cancave.
Androecium:
Stamens – many, spirocyclic, free, filament short, anther bi-celled, long, with a prominent truncate connective.
Gynoecium:
Carpel – many spirally arranged on axis, apocarpous, superior, each carpel with marginal ovules style flat & short, stigma simple.
Fruit:
Aggregate (etaesio of berries), seed arillate.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Shubs to lianas, leaves simple, exstipulate, entire, alternate flower in sodiary cyme, bisexual, regular, spirocyclic, superior, calyx & corolla very much identical 3 + 3, free, stamens many on extended thallamus, carpel – many, apocarpous ovules in marginal placentation, fruit aggrigate berries.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ANNONACEAE.
Petals valvate, connective large & broad, penduncles hooked petals with concave base.
……. Hence the genus — Artabotrys.
Woody shrubs, hooked penduncle, carpel prominent long.
……. Hence the species — hexapetala.
Name of the plant: Artabortrys hexapetala (L. f.) Bhandari.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) —D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 80:
Date:
[Powzolzia indica Gaud.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Erect, un-branched, partially woody, cylindrical stem with nodes & internodes, hairy, with watery juice.
Leaf:
Simple, sub-sessile, stipulate, opposite, decussate, entire, acute reticulate, unicostate, coriaceous, no stinging hairs.
Inflorescence:
Small in cymose cluster at nodes, bracteoles present.
Flower:
Unisexual, monoecious, regular, superior, bracteoles present.
Calyx:
Sepals-4, free in a ♂ flower, flowering connate in a tubular perianth in ♀ flower, imbricate, lobes convex.
Corolla:
Petales – absent, perianth sepaline.
Androecium:
Staminate flower with free stamen, anther bi-celled.
Gynoecium:
Only in pistillate flower carpel — two, syncarpous, one fertile & one sterile, ovary included, ovule erect, stigma filiform, jointed & decidous.
Fruit:
A small achene.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous, stipulate, subsessile, flower in nodal cluster, unisexual, regular, monoecious, perianth sepal like, 4 in number, stamens-4 in male flower, carpel-2 in female flower, one fertile only, ovule erred, basal placentation, fruit a minute achene.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: URTICACEAE.
Plants with watery juice, stamen inflexed, leaves and stems with no stinging hairs, female perianth tubular, stigma jointed deciduous.
……. Hence the genus— Pouzolzia.
Perianth lobes convex, leaves opposite base rounded.
……. Hence the species — indica.
Name of the plant: Pouzolzia indica Gaud.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 81:
Date:
[Eleusine indica Gaertn].
Specimen:
A flowering plant is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Fibrous, both primary & adventitious root present.
Stem:
Soft, cylindrical, compressed partially, with nodes & internodes, hollow at internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, distichous, long, narrow, entire, parallel veined, with a sheathing base, distinct from the blade, erect ligule at the apex of the sheath.
Inflorescence:
Terminal spikelet, spikelet many flowered, rachilla continuous between the flowering glumes.
Flower:
Bisexual, complete, regular, superior, hypogynous, 2 empty glumes & 2 flowering glumes, glumes unequal, keeled, 3 nerved.
Perianth:
Tepals-2, represented by 2 lodicules, cuneate.
Androecium:
Stamens-3, free; anther short, bi-celled, and versatile.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-3, two abortive, syncarpous, superior, style short, free, stigma slender, laterally exserted.
Fruit:
A seed like grain, oblong, seed rugose.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbs; cylindrical, hollow stem, distichous, ligulate leaf with sheathing base, glumes present in each flower, perianth represented by 2 lodicules, stamens -3, free, anther versatile; carpels-3, two abortive, grain seed like.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: GRAMINEAE.
Mature spikelets breaking up, spikelet’s bi-seriate, spikelet’s in simple digitate many flower clusters.
……. Hence the genus — Eleusine.
Spikelets pointing forwards at an acute angle with the rachis of the spike, glumes I & II with entire tips, grain oblong.
……. Hence the species — indica.
Name of the plant: Eleusine indica Gaertn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 82:
Date:
[Justicia diffusa Willd.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Soft, partially woody, with distinct nodes & internodes, nodes swollen, hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, entire, acute, exstipulate, cuneate at base, reticulate, unicostate, sparsely hairy.
Inflorescence:
Sessile spike at axillary position, with copious bracts & bracteoles.
Flower:
Bisexual, irregular, hypogynous, bracts & bracteoles present, obsolete.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, narrow, connate below, valvate, lanceolate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gemopetalous, 2 lipped, tube as short as the dips, upper lip 2 lobed, lower lip 3 lobed imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-2, filaments often dilated, hairy near the base, epipetallous, anther 2-celled, one higher up than other, with spur-like appendage.
Gynoecium:
Carple-2, syncarpous, ovary 2-celled, ovules in axile placentation, style filiform, stigma shortly 2-fid.
Fruit:
Not supplied
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous plants with simple, opposite leaves, flowers in axillary spike, with bracks & bracteoles, each flower bisexual, irregular, superior, sepals-5, united at base, petals-5 (3+2), united, stamen-2, epipetalous, carpel-2 syncarpous, superior, ovules in axile placentation.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Herbaceous, corolla distinctly 2—lipped, anther 2-celled, stamen-2, anther cells placed one higher up than the other, anther cell with spur like appendages.
……. Hence the genus — Justicia.
Bactoles & sepals lanceolate, hairy, leaves cuneate at base, sparsely hairy.
……. Hence the species — diffusa.
Name of the plant: Justicia diffusa Willd.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 83:
Date:
[Portulaca quadrifida Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering plant is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Primary root system present.
Stem:
Soft, cylindrical, glossy, with nodes & internodes, succulent.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, whorled, entire, stipulate, stipule bristly, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in terminal solitary cluster, surrounded by a whole of leaves.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, perigynous, extrose, superior, small yellow.
Calyx:
Sepals-2, connate below or a disc., upper part free, deciduous, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous, perigynous, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-many, free, anther 2-celled.
Gynoecium:
Carpels-3, two abortive, syncarpous, ovary half superior, style terminal, stigma trifid, ovules many in a chamber, attached to an axial column.
Fruit:
Capsular type, seed reniform.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbs; opposite to whole, simple leaf, flower in terminal solitary cluster, bisexual, perigynous, calyx with 2 sepals, petals-5, stamens-many, carpel -3, 2-abortive, syncarpous, ovules in basal to free central placentation, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: PORTULA CACEAE.
Flowers in terminal clustered, surrounded by whorl of leaves; lower half of the calyx united on a disc, upper part free deciduous.
……. Hence the genus — Protulaca.
Leaves flat, ovate-oblong, flower small yellow, surrounded by a whorl of 4-leaves, style – 3 fid.
……. Hence the species — quadrifida.
Name of the plant: Portulaca quadrifida Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 84:
Date:
[Solarium nigrum Linn]
Specimen:
A flowing twig with fruits is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Woody, cylindrical,with distinct nodes & internodes, hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, stipulate, petiolate, exstipulate, ovate, serrated, acute, reticulate, unicostate, hairy.
Inflorescence:
Flowers in dichotomous, axillary cyme, ebracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, superior, extrose, white.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, connate at the base, imbricate, persistent.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gamopetalous, rotate, imbricate.
Androecium:
Stamens-5, epipetallous, filament anther short dehiscent by apical pores.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, superior, style terminal, stigma small, ovules in axile placentation.
Fruit:
Globose berry, indehiscent.
Seed:
Solitory with large fleshy cotyledons, exalbuminous.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous, alternate leaves with reticulate, unicostate veination, flower in dichotomous cyme, bisexual, regular, hypogynous, corolla rotate, stamens-5, epipetalous, carpel-2, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, fruit berry.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the Family: SOLANACEAE.
Fruit indehiscent, berry, corolla rotate, leaves entire, anther connivent in a cone, dehiscent by apical pores.
……. Hence the gemus — Solanum.
Calyx unaltered, persistent, root not tuberous, leaves ovate, herbaceous.
……. Hence the species — nigrum.
Name of the plant: Solanum nigrum Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 85:
Date:
[Cassia sophera Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody, cylindrical to ribbed, with distinct nodes & internodes, hairy, branches green.
Leaf:
Pinnately compound, stipulate leaflets 6-12, reticulate, unicostate, ovate, entire, acute, gland detted.
Inflorescence:
Axillary racemes, bracts & bracteole present.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, superior, extrose, yellowish.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, polysepalous, imbricate, lies on disc., broad, obtuse.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous, imbricate, subeged.
Androecium:
Stamens-10, unequal, filaments free, anther bicelled, basifixed, dehiscent longitudinally.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-one, apocarpous, superior, ovary unilocular, ovules in marginal placentation, style short, stigma terminal.
Fruit:
Woody, lomentum, seed vertically compressed, dehiscent pod.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous, leaves pinnately compound, flower bisexual, regular, hypogynous, petals-5, free, imbricate, stamen 10, free, unequal; carpel – one, ovule in marginal placentation, fruit lomentum.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: CAESALPINIEAE.
Leaves simple pinnate, anther basifixed, petals-5.
……. Hence the Genus — Cassia.
Sepals broad, obtuse, pod dehiscent, stamens-10, all not perfect, leaf rachis furnished with gland, leaflets 12 jugate, oblong lanceolate, branches green.
….. Hence the specis — sophera.
Name of the plant: Cassia sophera Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 86:
Date:
[Ruellia tuberosa Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Sloid, woody, cylindrical, with prominent nodes & internodes, nodes sowllen.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, lanceolate, entire, acute, petiolate, exstipulate, reticulate, unicostate, pubescent.
Inflorescence:
Solitary, axillary cymes, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, complete, hypogynous, blue, bracts & bracteoles present.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, linear, subequal, connate below, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gamopetalous, tubular with spreading limbs, lobes subsequal, twisted.
Androecium:
Stamens-4, didynamous, included, longer pair of filament hairy, the shorter pair glabrous, anthers subsimilar, ovate or oblong, 2-celled.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, superior, ovary bicelled, ovules in axile placentation, style terminal, stigma bifid.
Fruit:
Cylindrical capsule, seed large thin, retinacula large.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbs, leaves opposite, entire, stipules absent, bisexual, solitary cyme, sepals-5, united; petal-5, united, bilipped, Stamen-4, didynamous, anther bicelled, carpel-2, syncarpous, superior, ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule, seed with retinacula.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ACANTHACEAE.
Erect herb, seed with retinacula, corolla lobe twisted, corolla-5, lobed, bracteoles large.
……. Hence the Genus — Ruellia.
Inflorescence solitary cyme, bracteoles large, capsule linear cylindrical, flower blue.
……. Hence the species — tuberosa.
Name of the plant: Ruellia tuberosa Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 87:
Date:
[Boerhaavia repens Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig with is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody, cylindrical, with nodes & internodes hairy, reddish, pubescent.
Leaf:
Simple, petiolate, exstipulate, opposite, obovate, entire, acute, reticulate, unicostate, glossy above, white beneath.
Inflorescence:
Umbellate cyme, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, pinkish, minute.
Perianth:
Outer whole sepaline,5 in number, united at the base, inner whole—formings funnel shaped tube with 5 lobes, twisted, spreading, lobes plicate in bud.
Androecium:
Stamens-5, exerted, filament free, connate below, anther didymous.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-1, apocarpous, ovary one chamber, ovules in basal placentation, style filiform stigma small.
Fruit:
Indehiscent, enclosed in the coriaceous perianth base.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbs, leaves opposite, entire, flower bisexual, regular, umbellate cyme, inner perianth whorle funnel shaped, lobes plicate; stamen-5, anther didymous, carpel-1, superior ovules in basal placentation, fruit indehiscent.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: NYCTAGINACEAE.
Perianth plicate, leaves opposite, flower umbellate, bracteole present.
……. Hence the genus — Boerhaavia.
Leaves white beneath, branches adpressed pubescent.
……. Hence the species — repens.
Name of the plant: Boerhaavia repens Linn.
Key used:
Bengal plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 88:
Date:
[Leucas linifolia Spreng.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, quadrangular, woody, hairy, with nodes & internodes, greenish.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, linear, lanceolate, entire, obtuse, petiole short, exstipulate, reticulate, unicostate, and hairy.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, verticillaster, encircling the nodes, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, complete, hypogynous, superior, introse, white.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, gamosepalous, persistent, valvate, green, mouth oblique.
Corolla:
Petals-5, gamopetalous, bilabirate (3+2), imbricate, upper lips long.
Androecium:
Stamens-4, didynamous, epipetallous, anther bicelled, dehiscent longitudinal, anterior pair longer, anther divergent.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, bicelled, forming a deep 4 lobed ovary, ovules in axile placentation, style gynobasic; stigma filiform, bifid.
Fruit:
Dry dehisecent capsule, seed small & erect.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herb, stem quadrangular, leaves opposite, flowers in verticillaster inflorescence, bisexual, superior, corolla bilabiate, stamen-4, didynamous, epipetallous, carpel-2, syncarpous, style gynobasic, ovules in axile placentation.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: LABIATAE.
Ovary 4 lobed, nutlet dry, stamen erect, 4 in number, perfect, crolla 2-lipped, anterior pair of stamen larger, calyx 5 nerved, upper lip corolla long, lower lip corolla longer the hood, anther cell divergent.
……. Hence the genus — Leucas.
Calyx mouth oboliqiie, teeth short, smooth, bracts few.
……. Hence the species — linifolia.
Name of the plant: Leucas linifolia Spreng.
Key used:
Bengali plants (Vol. II) — D. Prain (1905).
Specimen No. 89:
Date:
[Crotalaria juncea Linn ]
Specimen:
Flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, woody, cylindrical, with nodes & internodes, hairy.
Leaf:
Simple, sessile, alternate, a stipulate, lanceolate to obtuse, entire, acute, reticulate unicostate, glossy, coriaceous beneath.
Inflorescence:
Terminal racemose, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, irregular, hypogynous, superior, yellow.
Calyx:
Sepals-5, free above, basal part united, imbricate.
Corolla:
Petals-5, polypetalous, papilionaceous, one standard, 2 wings, two keels, quincancial.
Androecium:
Stamens-10, monodelphous, filament alternately short and long bicelled, anther basifixed.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-1, apocarpous, superior, ovary one celled, ovules in marginal placentation, style incurved, stigma oblique.
Fruit:
Inflated pod, sessile, with many small seed.
Floral Formula:
Herb, leaf simple, alternate, flowers in raceme, bracteate, flower bisexual, irregular, corolla papilionaceous, mono or diadelphous stamen, carpel-1, apocarpous, ovules in marginal plcentation, fluit inflated pod.
…… Hence the plant belongs to the family: PAPILIONACEAE.
Stamen monodelphous, stem woody, flowers in terminal racemes, leaves simple, sessile filament 5 long & 5 short alternating, pod turgid, seeds many.
……. Hence the genus — Crotalaria.
Leaves simple, stipule small, herbaceous, leaves lanceolate to obtuse, pod sessile.
……. Hence the species — juncea.
Name of the plant: Crotalaria juncea Linn.
Key used:
Bengali plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 90:
Date:
[Spermacoce hispida Linn.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, angular, woody, hairy, with prominent nodes & internodes, greyish, procumbent.
Leaf:
Simple, opposite, stipulate, interpetiolar bristel like, petiolate, ovate, entire acute, hispid, reticulate, unicostate.
Inflorescence:
Solitary cluster in axils, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, hypogynous, superior introse, white.
Calyx:
Sepals-4, gamosepalous, valvate, forming a tube persistent.
Corolla:
Petals-4, gamopetalous, valvate, hypocrateriform.
Androecium:
Stamens -4, epipetallous, filament short, anther linear, bicelled.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, superior, ovary two chambered, solitary ovule in axile placentation, ovules attached to septum, style filiform, stigma with 2 short armes.
Fruit:
2 – mericarps seed oblong.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Tree to herbs, alternate to opposite leaves, interpetiolar stipules, flowers in clusters, calyx & corolla united, stamen epipetallous, four member each, carpel -2, superior, syncarpous, ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule.
………… Hence the plant belongs to the family: RUBIACEAE.
Ovules solitary in each cell, corolla lobe valvate, herbaceous, leaves opposite, stipulate, ovules attached to septum, fruit small crustaceous.
………….. Hence the gemus: Spermacoce.
Stem procumbent.
Hence the species: hispida.
Name of the plant: Spermacoce hispida Linn.
Key used:
Bengali plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).
Specimen No. 91:
Date:
[Ludwigia paviflora Roxb.]
Specimen:
A flowering twig is supplied.
Habitat:
Appears to be terrestrial.
Habit:
Herbaceous.
Root:
Not supplied.
Stem:
Solid, angular, soft, with nodes & internodes.
Leaf:
Simple, alternate, exstipulate, petiolate, ovate, entire, acute, reticulate, unicostate, glossy.
Inflorescence:
Axillary, solitary, sessile type, bracteate.
Flower:
Bisexual, regular, inferior, bracts & bracteoles present.
Calyx:
Sepals-4, connate in a tube, valvate, lobes persistent.
Corolla:
Petals-4, gamopetalous, twisted, lies above the ovary.
Androecium:
Stamens-4, epipetalous, intose, anther bicelled.
Gynoecium:
Carpel-2, syncarpous, inferior, ovary 4 celled, ovules many in axile placentation, style terminal, whorl, stigma capitate.
Fruit:
A linear, oblong, inflated capsule, seed many.
Floral Formula:
Identification:
Herbaceous, alternate, simple leaf; flower bisexual, regular, inferior, sepal & petals united, stamens-4, epipetalous, carpel-4, inferior, ovules in axile placentation, fruit capsule.
……. Hence the plant belongs to the family: ONAGRACEAE.
Seeds numerous, stamens equal in number to lobes of calyx.
……. Hence the genus — Ludwigia.
Capsule inflated, seeds many.
……. Hence the species — parviflora.
Name of the plant: Ludwigia parviflora Roxb.
Key used:
Bengali plants (Vol. I) — D. Prain (1903).