66 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



frequently petaloid. In Ranunculus the distinction 

 between calyx and corolla is well-marked. The 

 nectaries often take the form of modified petals or 

 stamens. The honey is secreted by the carpels in 

 Marsh Marigold, in Bearsfoot and Winter Aconite 

 it is secreted by the tubular petals, in Love-in-a- 

 Mist by petals with a leafy end, in Goldielocks at 

 the base of the petals, and in Upright Meadow 

 Crowfoot also at the base of the petals. 



In Monkshood and Larkspur the flowers are zygo- 

 morphic. 



The stamens are spiral and indefinite. The 

 anthers usually open outwards, except in the case 

 of the Pseony. The carpels are indefinite, apo- 

 carpous, spiral. In Love-in-a-Mist the carpels are 

 united. There is but one carpel in the Baneberry, 

 which has a berry-like fruit. 



In Meadow Rue the flowers are wind-pollinated. 



Generally the anthers open first, and in opening 

 the stamens bend outwards. In Clematis there is 

 only pollen, in Rammculus the flowers are actino- 

 morphic and open, with honey more or less exposed. 

 In the Columbine and Larkspur the honey is con- 

 cealed in a long spur, and the flowers in the latter 

 are zygomorphic. 



As a rule the fruits are achenes or follicles, rarely 

 capsules as in Love-in-a-Mist, or a berry as in Bane- 

 berry. In Clematis and Anemone the achenes are 

 wind-dispersed. 



The Ranunculus group has been split up into three 



