Dorsal Sepal (DS) 
Anther (A}) 
Sligma (confluent, G2 63) 
Gynoslegium 
Lateral Petal (LP) 
Lateral Sepal (Ls) 
A B 
Fig. 1. A. A monandrous orchid flower showing its various parts. 
B. Ground plan of the various vascular traces of a generalized 
orchid flower to indicate the symbols used in the text. 
The orchid ovary, as will be seen presently, is trav- 
ersed by six main vascular traces,* each lying under a 
perianth member; I am applying to these traces the ab- 
breviations corresponding to the perianth members. 
Main Vascular Traces of the Ovary 
In the inflorescence axis of the orchids the vascular 
bundles are arranged in the same scattered pattern as in 
the vegetative axis of monocotyledons. The number of 
bundles that enter the floral axis and their method of 
breaking up into the six main traces of the ovary vary 
considerably in different genera. In Paphiopedilum and 
Cypripedium of the Diandrae (Fig. 2 A), six vascular 
bundles from the inflorescence axis deviate into the flower 
and constitute the corresponding main traces (DS, two 
LS, two LP and MP) of the ovary. The bract is sup- 
plied by a seventh independent bundle (Br) from the 
inflorescence axis. 
* The term trace is used throughout this text to designate the vas- 
cular elements in the flower from the moment the vascular bundles of 
the inflorescence axis enter the ovary. 
[ 65 ] 
