224 



not always in the three uppermost; the uppermost shoot is the 

 most vigorous, the others are weaker in basipetal succession 

 <Fig. 34 B). 



The shoots may pass several years in a purely vegeta- 

 tive condition before flowering begins. 



The flowers and the inflorescences droop before opening 

 (Fig. 36 Л), but are erect during expansion. The diameter of 

 the flower is 9 — 11 mm. 



The petals spread out in a stellate manner (Fig. 35, 36 B); 

 they are oval and have three veins (Fig. 36 D). The colour is 

 evidently rather variable. I have noted and figured them as pale 

 yellow, or whitish yellow with many small reddish-yellow spots 

 which are darker the closer they occur towards the apex, where 

 they may become almost purple. But other observations have 

 also been recorded (cf. Abromeit). According to Vanhoffen there 

 are two varieties, characterised by their different colour; the 

 more common is white-flowered, with yellow or purple dots 

 on the petals, which are long ; the other, which is smaller, 

 has distinctly yellow flowers with a few yellow, or more rarely 

 red, dots. 



Honey is secreted abundantly by the thick yellow base of 

 the ovary (Fig. 35 Ä). It occurs in numerous small drops, 

 even before the anthers open, and the secretion is continued 

 for a very long time, even in old flowers. Scent was not 

 noticed by me. Insect-visitors I did not observe. 



Pro tan dry occurs, but often not to any marked degree, 

 and sooner or later homogamy usually ensues. The stamens 

 perform the ordinary movements; first the antisepalous stamens 

 bend forwards (Fig. 35 Л), then the antipetalous ; both kinds 

 of anthers may be found simultaneously in the middle of the 

 flower above the still unripe stigmas. Then they bend outwards, 

 even if all the pollen-grains have not been shed. The styles 

 bend outwards and the stigmas usually ripen before all the 

 antisepalous anthers have opened. Homogamy lasts through- 



