538 



BOTANY 



in the Iridaceae is one whorl of the androecium suppressed. The 

 gynaeceum varies in position, but it is always formed of three carpels 



and in most cases encloses a tri- 

 locular ovary. 



The plants of this order show 

 a wide range of habit. Besides 

 herbaceous forms with bulbs or 

 corms or subterranean rhizomes, 

 climbing shrubs, succulent and 

 armed, rosette - forming plants of 

 large size and larger or smaller 

 trees occur ; the latter are re- 

 stricted to tropical and sub-tropical 

 regions. 



Family 1. Juncaceae. Plants of 

 grass* like habit. Flower ot complete 

 Liliaceous type ; with scaly perianth. 

 Wind -pollination. Pollen -grains united 

 in tetrads. Ovary superior, uni- or tri- 

 locular, bearing three, long, papillose 

 stigmas. Endosperm floury. Fruit a 

 oapaule. 



Numerous species of JUHCHX (Rush) 

 occur in our flora, in marshy ground : the 

 leaves are cylindrical and have large in- 

 tercellular spaces. The clusters of small, 

 aiiemophilous flowers (Fig. 535) are borne 

 on the end of a shoot but are often dis- 

 placed to the side by the bract which 

 continues the line of the axis. Fruits 

 with many seedsi Luzutti, with flat 

 leaves and three-seeded fruits, one of the 

 earliest spring-flowering plants. 



Family 2. Liliaceae. Typical 

 flower, with coloured, conspicuous 

 perianth. Ovary superior. Endo- 

 sperm horny or fleshy. Divided 

 into three sub-families according to 

 the construction of the fruit. 



(a) Capsule with three styles ; 

 dehiscence septicidal, i.e. fruit splits 

 through the septa. M<>l(mt)ti<'<i<-. 



(6) Capsule with one style ; dehiscence loculicidal, i.e. fruit splits 

 opening the chambers of the ovary. Lilieae. 

 (c) Fruit a berry. Asparageae. 



Colcli ii-iiin ini/ttnntfi/f, the Autumn Crocus (Figs. 536, f>:j7), is a perennial herb 

 growing in meadows. If a plant is examined in autumn at the time of (lowering. 



FIG. 537. i.'iili'hicum /</,,)"/. Longitud- 

 inal section through tin- conn of a flowering 

 plant. Explanation in t'-xt. (After SACHS.) 

 OffTCUL. 



