SECT. II 



PHANEROGAMIA 



577 



which are usually thirteen in number, have the form of tubular, two-lipped 

 nectaries. Numerous stamens. Carpels 3-5, developing into follicles. Helleborus 

 niger, from the south-eastern Alps, flowers in autumn and winter and is commonly 

 cultivated. Helleborus viridis. All three species are poisonous. The Monkshood 

 (Aconitum napellus) is a stately perennial herb with underground tubers and 



occurs most commonly in alpine 

 meadows. The leaves are palmately 

 divided, the segments being in turn 

 pinnatelylobed (Fig. 595) and widened 

 towards the tip. Inflorescence a 

 dense raceme, reinforced by lateral 

 inflorescences standing in the axils 

 of the upper leaves. Flowers zygo- 



FIG. 592. Caltha palustris (I nat. sizi-)- 



Potmron. 



FIG. 5'.'3. Helleborus foetidus 

 POISONOUS. 



nat. size). 



morphic. One of the five, dark blue sepals is helmet-shaped, and protects two 

 long-stalked, tubular, two-lipped nectaries, which correspond to petals. The 

 remaining petals are wanting or are reduced to inconspicuous, narrow structures 

 (Fig. 594). Aconitum lycoctonum (Fig. 596) has smaller, yellow flowers of similar 

 construction. A. Stoerkianum and A. variegatum resemble A. napellus but are 

 more brightly coloured. All the species are poisonous. Aquilegia, Delphin- 

 ium and Paeonia are favourite ornamental plants with showy flowers. In Actaea 

 the fruit is a berry. 



2 P 



