THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. S7 



Extra-floral Nectaries of Elder. — One of the 

 "Commonest illustrations of extra-floral nectaries may be 

 found in the common elder. Along the fachis of the leaves 

 and at the base of the leaf-staJk may be found small plat- 

 ter-like objects that produce nectar. On such plants one 

 will usually find numerous ants and has only to watch a 

 few minutes to see them approach the platters and help 

 themselves. 



The Flower of the Pawpaw.— Pawpaw blossoms 

 are more familiar to southern readers than to those of the 

 north, but it is not uncommon for this plant to be found 

 some distance north of the Ohio River. The flower, which 

 opens in June, is a curious affair with three sepals and six 

 petals — three large and three small ones— all of a dull red 

 -color. The flowers are as large as a silver dollar. The 

 pistils ripen first and project above the globulaf mass of 

 stamens. In this way cross-pollination is effected, the 

 principal agency in this work appearing to be certain large 

 butterflies. The flower has an unusual odor that may be 

 likened to the smell of yeast. 



The Shooting Star and Insects.— The shooting 

 star(Z)o<iecat/jeo72) isone of our most attractive wild flow- 

 ers not merely by reason of its size and color but by the 

 peculiar shape of the flower as well. The flower is nod- 

 ding but the petals are reflexed in a manner that makes 

 them nearly erect. In this position they point backward 

 from the Isase of the flower. After the blossom has been 

 pollinated, however, the petals fall and the nodding ped- 

 uncles straighten up and hold the seed-capsule erect until 

 niaturitj". One Vvho finds the plant in fruit can scarcely 

 believe it the same he saw in flower. The question why the 

 flower assumes these different positions is hard to answer, 

 but it would appear that it is to guard the pollen and 

 nectar from creeping insects, such as ants. While the flow- 

 er is open the reflexed petals form a cup about the flower 

 stem beyond which the insects find it hard to penetrate. 

 After pollination the erect position can be assumed with- 

 out fear of the ants. 



