Order 2. =Zingiberaceæ.= Perianth most frequently divided into _calyx_ and _corolla_. Calyx gamosepalous. Only 1 _fertile stamen_ (the posterior, Fig. 315, belonging to the inner whorl) with quadrilocular anther, which encloses the style in a furrow; the 2 stamens in the outer whorl are staminodes, the median one (the anterior) is wanting. The 2 lateral staminodes of the inner whorl form the “labellum” (Fig. 315 _lab_), which usually is the largest segment of the flower, and is often bilobed. Ovules many. The fruit in some is a leathery, 3-valved capsule, with loculicidal dehiscence; in others it is more or less berry-like and indehiscent, or irregularly dehiscent. Straight embryo.--The aerial stem is seldom developed to any extent, and the inflorescences, which are (compound) spikes or racemes, often with coloured floral-leaves, spring in some (_e.g. Zingiber officinale_) directly from the rhizome. The leaves are arranged in two rows.--The ovary in a few instances (_Globba_ and others) is unilocular, with 3 parietal placentæ. They are perennial herbs with fleshy and tuberous rhizomes, which are used as condiments and in medicine on account of their pungent and aromatic properties and also for starch, dyes, etc. OFFICINAL: _rhizomes_ of _Zingiber officinale_ (Ginger, unknown wild, but cultivated generally in the Tropics), of _Curcuma longa_ (Turmeric, a dye, E. India) and _C. zedoaria_, of _C. angustifolia_ and others (as E. India Arrowroot), of _Alpinia officinarum_, China (galangal). “Preserved Ginger” from _Alpinia galanga_. Similar aromatic materials (volatile oils) are present also, for example, in _the fruits_; Cardamom fruits and seeds (from _Elettaria cardamomum_, China, seldom from _E. major_). 315 species; Tropics, preponderating in the Eastern Hemisphere, India, and especially S. Asia, whence all the aromatic species originate; they are now commonly cultivated in the Tropics. Some are ornamental plants in greenhouses, _e.g._ _Hedychium_, _Costus_, etc. _Globba_ (with axillary buds in the inflorescence, as in _Ficaria_), _Renealmia_, _Kæmpferia_. [Illustration: FIG. 316.--Flower of _Canna_: _f_ ovary; _pa_ calyx; _pi_ corolla; _l_ labellum; _st_ stamens; _an_ anther; _g_ stigma; α and β staminodes.] Order 3. =Cannaceæ.= American herbs without aromatic properties. Flowers asymmetric (Fig. 316). Calyx polysepalous. The stamens are _petaloid_ (Fig. 316 _st_) and barren with the exception of one (the posterior), which bears on one of its _edges_ a bilocular anther; another, which is especially large and coloured, is termed the _labellum_. The style is compressed and leaf-like, with a small stigma at the apex. Ovules numerous in the 3 loculi. The capsule is furnished with warts or soft prickles. _Embryo straight._