APETAL^ 2S5 



catkins. The male flowers are solitary, either 

 crowded or in spikes. They bear bracts. The 

 perianth-segments are one to five or more, unequal, 

 or they may be wanting. There are five to twenty 

 stamens, inserted on a disc or attached to the base 

 of the perianth-segments. The anther-stalks are 

 free or united at the base. The two-celled anthers 

 open inwards. The female flowers are stalkless in 

 an involucre of bracts, free or united. The perianth 

 is united to the ovary, or is wanting, superior, six- 

 lobed. The ovary is inferior, two- to three- or four- 

 to six-celled. The styles are of the same number, 

 with stigmatic papillae above and on their faces. The 

 ovules are one to two, collateral, erect or pendulous, 

 anatropous. The fruit is indehiscent, one- or two- 

 seeded, situated on, or enclosed in, the hard bracts. 

 There is no endosperm. 



The flowers are pollinated by the wind. Most of 

 the types have winged fruits suited to dispersal by 

 the wind. 



Many valuable timber trees are included in this 

 group. Some of the fruits, such as the Hazel, are 

 edible. The bark yields tannin. 



Hazel (Corylus Avellana). 



It is said by Pliny that avellana is from Avellinum, in 

 Campania, where it was first produced, now Avellino, 

 and Hazel-nuts of a special kind are found there at 

 the present time. Corylus refers to the staff used 



