APPENDIX A 



643 



ORDER: PERSONATAE. 



Family : Scrophulariaceae. Examples : Figwort, Speedwell. 



(38) The Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa, L.) is a common plant of moist 

 soil, with upright four-angled stems bearing decussate leaves, and terminating 

 in lax cymose panicles of tawny purplish flowers. They are zygomorphic, 

 and strongly protogynous (Fig. 494). Each flower consists of: 



Calyx, sepals 5, slightly gamosepalous, inferior. The odd sepal is posterior. 



Corolla, petals 5, gamopetalous, inferior ; two-lipped. 



Fig. 494. 



Scrophularia nodosa. I. flower in anterior view with stigma recurved, and the 

 stamens dehiscent (late stage). II. same in section. III. flower seen laterally with 

 projecting stigma (early stage). IV. floral diagram. 



Androecium, stamens 4, epipetalous ; the fifth posterior stamen represented 

 by a prominent staminode below the upper lip. 



Gynoecium, carpels 2, syncarpous, superior, antero-posterior ; style elongated 

 stigma capitate. Ovary bilocular, with numerous ovules on an enlarged axile 

 placenta. A yellow honey-disc surrounds the base of the ovary. Fruit a 

 dry capsule, which splits septicidally, and liberates the numerous albuminous 

 seeds, with straight embryos. 



Pollination. The tawny colour of the flower attracts wasps, which are 

 the pollinating agents. The flowers are strongly protogynous. While the 

 stamens are still tightly packed in the globose corolla, the stigma protrudes 

 so as to meet any visiting insect, and receives any pollen she may bring (111.). 



