CONIFERS. 



2C.1 



serable the vegetative leaves ; they have also a fleshy aril (Fig. 

 262 1>, !>'). Podocarpus (40 species, East Asia, S. Temp.) ; the 

 bracts of the female flowers become fleshy, and unite together ; 

 only 1 or 2 are of use in supporting the flowers. The ovules 



ov 



FIG. 262. .4 Microcaclirys : female cone (J). A' A single carpel with its ovule. H 

 Dacrydium : branch with female flower (~). B' The flower; cp the bract; ar the aril; ov 

 ovule. C Podocarpus : female flower with 2 ovules. D Another female flower with 1 ovule, 

 in longitudinal section. 



project high above the apex of the bract, and are anatropous, the 

 micropyle being turned downwards (Fig. 262 C, -D). An aril 

 commences to develope in the flowering period as an external 

 coating, and later on it becomes fleshy and coloured. 



C. TAXE.E. The female flower is reduced to one ovule, which is 

 situated terminally on an axis which bears 2-3 pairs of opposite, 

 scale-like bracteoles ; on this account the Taxere form a very 

 isolated group among the Coniferse. 

 -Taxus (T. baccata, the Yew-tree). 

 Dioecious. The female flower con- 

 sists of only one ovule, placed at the 

 end of a short secondary branch 

 (Fig. 264), which is studded with 

 scale-like leaves. The aril when 

 ripe is thick, fleshy, and scarlet 

 (sometimes yellow), and only 

 loosely envelopes the seed (Fig. 

 263). The leaves are scattered, 



. FIG. 263. Taxus linccata .- branch 



flat, linear, and pointed (Fig. 263, with two ripe seeds (nat. size). 



