Feb., 1923] 



STOUT 



ALTERNATION OF SEXES 



59 



rapid vegetative development. By far the greater amount of the vegetative 

 growth of the plant takes place after the blooming begins. The first fruits 

 are ripe and shed their seeds when the plant is only about half grown. 

 The period of vegetative vigor overlaps that of the flowering and repro- 

 ductive vigor in a decided degree and to an extent seldom seen in plants. 

 Only during the last few days of bloom do vegetative growth and vigor 

 noticeably wane. 



Fig. 1. Main raceme of a plant of Cleome spinosa at the close of the blooming period, 

 showing the intermittent production of fruit. This raceme was about 2>h feet long. The 

 pods on the lower half have dehisced. 



At the close of the growth of the plant, about September 15th to October 

 5th as grown at the New York Botanical Garden, the main branch of a 

 plant from the point where the flowers are first produced appears as shown 



