GAMOPETAL^ 337 



The plant is a herbaceous perennial sometimes a foot 

 in height. 



There is a ring at the base of the ovary which 

 secretes honey. There are five stamens on the 

 petals, alternating with five rudimentary stamens or 

 staminodes which are opposite the petals, the outer 

 whorl being totally suppressed. The anthers and 

 stigmas are of the same height, and the anthers 

 open inwards so that self-pollination is possible. 

 The style is short, the stigma blunt or pin-headed, 

 and the stamens seated on the petals are included, 

 with very short stalks. 



The capsule opens by five valves and contains 

 many seeds, which are dispersed by the wind. 



Brookweed is also called Round Pimpinell, Water 

 Pimpinell. 



Samolus valerandi. — Fig. 76 shows the nearly 

 ■rosette-like habit and the short rootstoek, also the 

 spathulate leaves, the loose, erect racemes, with long flower- 

 stalks, and gree?i bracts just above the middle. 



End of Vol. II 



22 



