122 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



where the leaves are narrow below the plant has 

 stipules. This fact is well exemplified in the Spotted 

 Rockrose, H. guttaium, in which the lower leaves are 

 opposite and broad-based without stipules, and the 

 upper are narrow at the base and bear stipules. 



The flowers are yellow, loosely racemose, with 

 narrow bracts on the flower-stalks, which are bent 

 down before and after the flowers open. The 

 flowers bend over in wet weather and open in the 

 sun, following it in direction. 



The three larger sepals have three prominent ribs, 

 and are membranous between ; the two outer are 

 very small, the inner are blunt, have a short point, 

 and all are nearly smooth. The petals are broad 

 and spreading. The style is bent upwards at the 

 base, and longer than the ovary. There are more 

 than 100 stamens. 



The flowers are conspicuous, and though without 

 honey, yield much pollen. The anthers and stigma 

 (which is large and pin-headed) ripen at the same 

 time, the stigma being a little longer than the stamens, 

 which stand close around it. The latter are sensitive 

 and bend outwards when touched (not inwards as in 

 the Barberry). Hence an insect approaching from 

 the outside is dusted with pollen. The method which 

 is most favourable to cross-pollination is for the first 

 insect to approach from outside and for subsequent 

 visitors to alight in the middle. An insect visiting 

 it first is brushed with pollen, which in the next 

 flower, if it alights in the middle, will touch the 



