THE DICOTYLEDONES 1931 



scorodotiia (Wood Sage) is the most common. Rosmarinus officinalis (Rose- 

 mary) is the only species of the genus and is a xerophytic shrub inhabiting 

 the Mediterranean region. 



The polHnation mechanism in this group differs from that most typical 



Fig. 1858. — Teiiaiiim scorodonia. Woodsage. 

 Inflorescence. 



of the family as a whole. We may consider Teucriiim scorodonia (Fig. 1858) 

 as an example. The greenish-yellow flowers are arranged in terminal and 

 axillary racemes. The corolla tube (Fig. 1859) is about 10 mm. long, 

 almost half of which may be filled with nectar. In the early stage the 

 stamens, which lie against the back of the corolla tube, project straight out 

 of the flower, in company with the bifid style. The anthers however lie 

 slightly in front of the style. In this stage pollen will be shed on to the head 

 of a bee entering the flower in search of nectar. Later the anthers wither 

 and bend backwards, while the lip of the style bends forwards so that the 

 positions are reversed and the style will come into contact with the insect 

 visitor. When the lower flowers of the inflorescence are in the later or 

 female stage, the upper flowers still have functional anthers. Hence an 



