1916] Walters, — Anomalous Flowers of Pogonia verticillata 253 



Plant No. 1. One flower perfect; the other flower with lip and 

 column, and one petal (lacks one) opposite the lip. Has but two 

 sepals, the one usually over the column being absent. One sepal is 

 twice the usual width. 



Plants Nos. 2, 3 and 4. One flower perfect. The other has column, 

 but no lip, and has two petals placed opposite each other and appear- 

 ing to enclose the column, although they are free their full length. 

 Sepals 2, at sides (not over) the petals; the lip replaced by a petal. 



Plant No. 5. Peduncle (3.2 cm. long) divided about 6 mm. from 

 base of flowers; otherwise similar to Nos. 2, 3 and 4. 



Plant No. (j. Peduncle (3.7 cm. long) divided about 2 mm. from 

 base of flowers; and one sepal of the imperfect flower is very wide; 

 otherwise similar to Nos. 2, 3 and 4. 



The six plants were not growing in one little group but were scat- 

 tered about. It is probable, however, that a 25-foot circle would 

 have enclosed them. It is strange that each plant has but five sepals; 

 in each case the sepal usually over the column is absent from the im- 

 perfect flower. As the flowers are placed lip to lip and grow close 

 together it is that sepal which has the best chance to develop, not 

 being in contact with the other flower. The parts of all the columns 

 are perfect in every way. The plants each have five leaves, are of 

 average height, and the sepals are of average length. 



The following day I visited a colony of Pogonia verticillata in Great 

 Barrington and examined over seventy flowering plants, but aside 

 from one 2-flowered plant they presented no unusual features. 

 Great Barrington, Massachusetts. 



