104 



DICOTYLEDONS 



stigma bifid. Fruit of four dry, one-seeded nutlets, originating from 

 two carpels within the bottom of the calyx. 



(■ 



(a) The Tumbe Plant {Leiicas aspera). 



(/ia». Tumbe. Mai. Tumpa. Tarn. Tumbfii. San. Rudrapushpa.) 



This plant appears with the rains everywhere, near roads, 

 ditches, hedges, and flowers as long as there is any moisture in 



the ground. 



1. Accommodation to 

 Conditions. — The Leaves 

 are oblong-linear, dis- 

 tantly serrate, slightly 

 pubescent, and decus- 

 sate, i. e., they are so 

 arranged that every 

 pair stands crosswise 

 over the next lower 

 pair. So are also the 

 many branches. This 

 affords the advantage 

 of the stem being e(tual- 

 ly loaded. 



If we compare Tumbe 

 plants thdii grow in moist 

 and shady places with 

 such as grow in dry and 

 sunny places, we shall 

 find that the former 

 have always larger and 

 more delicate leaves 

 than the latter. We 

 shall learn something 

 from tliis fact. 



Those plants which ar(! growin.i;- in llio shade of a tree, 

 naturally get less sunlight. Their leaves must, therefore, be' 

 larger so as to get a greater (juantity of the light that is not so 

 intense. A small amount of th(^ intense sunliiiht, which can be 



Pig. 08. — Tuinbo (Lencas asjicra). 



