THE ANGIOSPERMAE 



1083 



the third power. To approach the flower-model seems, indeed, to be a 

 tendency pervading inflorescences throughout the Angiosperms. 



.^AN 



f^ 



>•:/ 





Fig. 1052. — -Echinops sphaerocephalus. A 

 super-capitulum of reduced one-flowered 

 capitula. 



ELEMENTARY STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS AND FRUITS 



The stalk of a flower, that is the internode which ends in a flower, is 

 called the pedicel and the stalk of an inflorescence, on which pedicels are 

 inserted, is the peduncle. At 

 the apex of the pedicel there 

 is an enlargement called the 

 floral receptacle or thala- 

 mus, on which are inserted 

 the floral parts. 



The "perfect" flower com- 

 prises four sets of organs 

 (Fig. 1053). Lowermost and 

 outermost stand the sepals, 

 which compose the calyx and 

 are normally green and small. 

 Above these come the petals, 



composing the corolla, usually Fi^. 1053. — Ranunculus aa-is. Longitudinal section 



coloured. Both sets together °^ '^. " Perfect " flower. From below in sue- 



o _ cession are seen the sepals, the petals (that on 



form the perianth, but either the right showing the small nectary flap), the 



or both sets may be absent. stamens the carpels, all inserted on'the corneal 



