96 DICOTYLEDONS 



terminal flower, the stem again forking into two bra/ches below 

 it, and so on. The flowers are similar to those ofi the Potato 

 plant (see page 93), and the fruit is a long, dry borrj formed 

 of two carpellary leaves. 



Several species of Solannm are growing wild, and among 

 them, the commonest, perhaps, is S. xanthocm^jmm, an annual 

 weed, prickly all over and producing yellow berries, as its 

 name says. 



The Thorn-apple {Datura stramonium; Kan. Dattura, Um- 

 matta; Mai. Ummattam; Tam. Ummattai; Tel. Ummetta) 

 is a common weed with a strong, disagreeable smell. Its large 

 leaves are deeply toothed, the two sides generally being un- 

 syrametrical. They are spirally arranged round the stem and 

 its numerous branches, the formation of which is the same as in 

 the Chilli plant. The corolla of the flower forms a large funnel 

 of a pure, white colour. It opens at nightfall and exhales a 

 strong smell which, like the white colour, attracts moths which 

 transfer the pollen from one flower to another. The capsules 

 open in four valves, the ovary being four-celled by the inflection 

 of the midrib of each of the two carpels so as to meet the placenta. 



22. The Butterwort Family 



(Lentibulariaceae). 



Carnivorous, aquatic and marsh plants. Flowers zygomorphic. Co- 

 rolla two-lipped and spurred. Stamens two. Ovary superior. 



The Bladderwort {Utricidarla stellaris). 



The Bladderwort is a little plant witli yellow flowers, floating 

 in stagnant water and very common in our tanks and wells. It 

 does not root in the mud nor stretch its leaves above the le\;eL 

 of the water like the Lotus and, therefore, Jias tojind some other 

 means of existence. 



1. Absorption of Water and Mineral Food. -Terrestrial plants, 

 suck u[) water and mineral food hy means of their roots. Ac^uatic 

 plants that are wholly submerged in water absorb water on their 



