27. Perianth-segments thickened and hardened at the base, yellow or red. Ovary glabrous. (See 17.) =Centema= Hook. fil. Perianth-segments not hardening. 28 28. Sterile flowers consisting of hooked spines.--Species 6. Tropical and South Africa. =Pupalia= Juss. Sterile flowers consisting of not hooked spines, bristles, or hairs. 29 29. Partial inflorescences consisting of 2 fertile and 2 sterile flowers, the latter reduced to bristles or spines. Ovary hairy. Herbs or undershrubs.--Species 10. Southern West Africa to Namaland. (Under _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Marcellia= Baill. Partial inflorescences consisting of 1-3 fertile and 4-6 sterile flowers. Ovary glabrous. 30 30. Partial inflorescences consisting of 1-3 fertile and 4-6 sterile flowers, the latter reduced to branched spines. Collective inflorescence interrupted below. Style very short. Herbs.--Species 2. South Africa and German South-West Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill. or _Sericocoma_ Fenzl). =Sericorema= Lopr. Partial inflorescences consisting of 3 fertile and 6 sterile flowers, the latter reduced to long simple spines or bristles. Style thread-shaped. 31 31. Sterile flowers elongating in the fruit into yellow spines. Herbs.--Species 1. German East Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill.) =Kentrosphaera= Volk. Sterile flowers elongating in the fruit into yellow or brown, rather soft bristles. Shrubs.--Species 3. East Africa. (Under _Marcellia_ Baill.) =Dasysphaera= Volk. 32. (4.) Perianth-segments spreading. Style short, with 2-4 stigmas. Fruit succulent, baccate. Herbs or undershrubs. Leaves ovate.--Species 1. Tropics. =Deeringia= R. Br. Perianth-segments erect. Fruit dry. 33 33. Fruit opening lengthwise. Style very short, with 2-3 stigmas. Filaments united at the base only. Leaves narrow. Shrubs.--Species 1. Madagascar. =Henonia= Moq. Fruit opening by a lid. Herbs or undershrubs. 34 34. Spurious staminodes longer than the stamens, 2-lobed. Style short. Leaves narrow.--Species 10. South Africa and southern Central Africa. =Hermbstaedtia= Reichb. Spurious staminodes shorter than the stamens or wanting.--Species 30. Tropical and South Africa. Some are used as vegetables or as textile, ornamental, medicinal, or fodder-plants. (Including Lestiboudesia Thou.) =Celosia= L. SUBORDER PHYTOLACCINEAE FAMILY 69. NYCTAGINACEAE Leaves entire, toothed, or lobed. Flowers regular. Perianth simple, but often surrounded by a calyx-like involucre, 3-6-lobed, valvate or folded in the bud, persistent. Stamens with the filaments united below; connective narrow; anthers opening laterally. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Ovule 1, erect, inverted. Style 1, lateral. Fruit a nut, enclosed by the enlarged and hardened perianth. Seed albuminous.--Genera 5, species 30. (Plate 42.)