THE FLOWER 



41 



two quite distinct parts, — a small case called the anther and its 

 support, a thread-like stalk termed the filament. The anther is 

 the essential part and in it is formed a 

 dust-like powder, usually yellow, known 

 as pollen, the male fertilizing element of a 

 plant. The highest and innermost whorl 

 of floral organs bears the name gynoecium, 

 the parts of which are pistils. A simple 

 gynoecium consists of a single pistil, a 

 compound gynoecium of two or more pis- 

 tils either distinct or united. The swollen 

 basal portion of a pistil is the ovar'if; 

 the slender stalk leading from the ovary 

 the style; the tip of the style, a more 

 or less expanded moist surface, is the 

 stigma. In the ovary are a small body 

 or bodies w^hich from analogy with the 

 eggs of animals are called ovules; these 

 ovules develop into seeds (Figs. 25-30). 



67. The inflorescence. — All plants in which the flowers are 

 not solitary have a typical inflorescence which is always helpful 



Fig. 27. The grape 

 flower. I, Opening 

 bud showing the 

 way in which the 

 cap becomes loosened 

 at the base. II. 

 Diagrammatic illus- 

 tration of grape 

 stamens. {Man. Am. 

 G. Groiv., p. 305.) 



Fig. 28. Grape flowers. Left, upright stamens of Delaware ; right, de- 

 pressed stamens of Brighton. {Man. Am. G. Grow., p. 30<j. ) 



in delimiting species. The leaves in an inflorescence, from the 

 axils of which flowers arise, are bracts; the individual flower- 



