[Chap. II 



THE PARTS OF PLANTS 



11 



Fig. 8. Embryo and early stages in the development of a bean plant. 



branch appears bearing flowers. Within a few days a pod, or fruit, begins 

 to develop from the pistil of the flower. As the pod increases in size, 

 seeds develop within it and soon enlarge to the size of the seed that was 

 planted. When the seeds are mature the life cycle of the bean plant is 

 complete. The flowers, fruits, and seeds are often spoken of as the repro- 

 ductive organs of the plant in contrast to the vegetative body made up 

 of roots, stems, and leaves. The major part of the various processes in- 

 volved in food manufacture takes place in the vegetative organs. Other 

 processes in reproductive structures result in the formation of seeds. Each 



