Amphicarpaa monoiccu. 317 



Flowers of Amphic \rim.a. 



Before stating observations as to the flowers and fruit of 

 Amphicarpaa^ it may be well to give a brief outline of the 

 facts to be found in the principal Botanical Manuals. 



In the " Botany of the South," Elliott" describes pale pur- 

 ple flowers found in racemes. These are complete, but he 

 says they are "generally sterile." Indeed when, in his 

 report to the Academy of Natural Sciences, he deseribes 

 the shape and appearance of the legume, he quotes Walter 

 as his authority, stating that he himself had never seen one. 



Peduncles from the root bear flowers without petals. 

 Near the surface of the earth racemes are produced, the 

 flowers of which are furnished with a calyx and rudiments 

 of a style. "The fruit here" he says, "is a one-seeded 

 ovate pod." 



The preceding account refers to A. monoica. In addi- 

 tion he mentions A. sarmentosa. It bears filiform racemes 

 which are three-flowered and apetalous. The calyx alone is 

 described. The fruit is an oblong pod. 



Darlington s agrees with the above statements in regard 

 to complete flowers, and also as to fruit. On the radical 

 peduncles he finds apetalous flowers, which " are often 

 merely pistillate." Peduncles arise from the base of the 

 stem ; and a solitary legume develops at the extremity. 



In the "Flora of North America " * (Torrey and Gray) the 

 descriptions are much more detailed and indicate more 

 careful observation of the floral parts. The purple flowers 

 are described, the shape of legume also, though no reference 

 is made as to the fertility of the flower. 



The imperfect flowers are located as the preceding 

 authors have done. It is stated, however, " Stamens want- 

 ing or often five or ten, shorter than the ovary ; three or 

 four with perfect anthers, the others rudimentary— the 

 filaments are distinct. The ovary is nearly sessile, tipped 

 with a short recurved style. The legume is obovate, hairy, 

 one-seeded, usually maturing below the surface of the 

 ground." 



