Part 130. The heath family (Ericaceae). Examples: wintergreen (Fig. 147), mountain laurel (Fig. 189), and sheep laurel (Fig. 190).

Formulas of Gaultheria, Kalmia, and Ericaceae are given on pages 416, 417.

A corolla with the petals coalesced, as in the examples here given, is termed gamopetalous,1 a corolla with distinct petals being choripetalous.2

1 Gam"o-pet'al-ous - Gr. gamos, union; petalon, flower-leaf. P).

2 Cho"ri-pet'al-ous - Gr. choris, separate.

When anthers open by pores the dehiscence is said to be poricidal as in the case of capsules which open similarly.

It will be noticed that the capsule of mountain laurel (Kalmia) dehisces by splitting through the partitions. Such dehiscence is distinguished as septicidal.3

3 Sep'ti-ci"dal - L. septum, partition; ccedire, cut. Indicated by the sign 2-

The fruit of wintergreen (Gaultheria) is peculiar in having a loculicidal capsule enveloped in a fleshy enlargement of the calyx and torus.

The typical members of the family are woody plants, often aromatic; having simple, exstipulate leaves; and perfect, gamopetalous flowers, with poricidal stamens, and a compound pistil, superior or inferior ovary and axile placentae; the fruit being capsular, or berry-like.

Part 131. The Heath Order

131. The heath order (Ericales) includes several families associated with the above through having mostly regular and perfect, usually gamopetalous flowers, four to ten stamens nearly or quite free, the anthers mostly poricidal, and the ovary compound, with axile placentoe.

The formula for Ericales is given on pages 416, 417.