562 



HOT A X Y 



Fie. 



envelops the triangular, nut -like fruits; 

 at maturity it opens by splitting into four 

 valves. The surface is covered with 

 numerous, blunt prickles. 



Castaiica vulgar is, the edible Che>tnut. 

 is a native of the Mediterranean region. 

 The inflorescences on shoots of the current 

 year bear in some cases only male tlcnuT-.. 

 in others female flowers at the base ami 

 male flowers above. Flowers grouped in 

 dichasia. Female dichasia three-flowered 

 (Fig. 570 A), so that three nuts comr to 

 be enclosed within the spiny cupule, 

 longitudinal w hich splits into four valves. The Oaks, 

 pedunculata (Figs. 572, 573) 



Becttonof the female flower. '/, The young 



cupuli- ; f, ovule ; d, ovary ; c, perigone ; 



/, styl.-: ,,, stixina. (After BERG and and Qucrcus sessiliftora, are the largest 



SCHMIDT, magnified.) deciduous trees of European woods. Leaves 



FK.. :,7:i. Quercus yeilniti-nlntn. .1, Klowci-inn l)ranch ; /.', a male flowi-i (inu-Milii'il) ; C, stainrii.-* 

 (magnified) ; D, a female flower (magnified) : /.', iufructescence ; F, cupule ; G-Il, seed. 



