THE ANDROECIUM 



97 



simple stamen a surviving solitary branch of this compound system. 

 Similarity of the fascicle to the stamen of Ricinus (Fig. 44) has been 

 cited in support of this theory, and resemblance to tlie bennettitalian 

 stamen has been noted as a part of the evidence for the origin of angio- 

 sperms from the Bennettitales. The fasciculate arrangement seems to 



c \i f(^'^^^^ 



Aquilegia 



Paeonia 



Dillenia 



Fig. 43. Diagrams showing vascular supply to the androecium. Aquilegia, stamens 

 with independent traces; Paeonia and Dillenia, "trunk" vascular supply to the 

 stamen fascicles, c, carpel; d, disc; p, petal; s, sepal; st, stamen. (From Eames, 

 1953. Paeonia after Brouland; Dillenia drawing by Wilson.) 



Fig. 44. Sketches of parts of branching stamens of Ricinus communis. 2, 3, varieties 

 from Java showing morphology of the anther; anther sacs free, attached to the 

 base of the elongate connective. (After van der Pijl; 1, from Sack's Lehrbuch.) 



have arisen at least twice — among the Dilleniales and among the 

 woody Ranales. A series in elaboration is seen in the Myristicaceae, 

 Monimiaceae, and Lauraceae. In these three families, part or all of the 

 members of a fascicle are transformed into nectaries, which often re- 

 tain stamen form. 



The theory that the fascicle is merely an aggregation of simple 

 stamens is supported by comparison of related taxa and by anatomy. 

 In the Dilleniaceae, Paeoniaceae, Myrtaceae, and Hypericaceae, series 



