CHAPTER VI 

 THE FLOWER 



THE flower is the most conspicuous part of many plants. 

 The character of the landscape may depend largely on the charac- 

 ter of the flowering plants. Many species of plants are grown 

 extensively because of the great beauty of their blossoms. In 

 fact, the flowers are so prominent in many species that many 

 people believe that the study of botany is merely a study of 

 flowers. But the student of botany should remember that the 

 study of the flower is a very small part of the subject. However, 

 the character of the flower is an extremely important factor in 

 the classification of the higher plants and in the study 

 of reproduction. 



The size of flowers varies from the almost microscopic forms, 

 such as the duckweeds, to very large and beautiful forms with 

 which we are familiar. However, many of the apparently large 

 flowers, such as the sunflower, are in reality clusters of very 

 small flowers. The forms are extremely variable in the different 

 groups and in general are very closely associated with insect 

 visitors. The great variety of colors is also closely associated 

 with insect visitors. The odors may be pleasant or disagreeable 

 and may also serve for the attraction of insects. The size, form, 

 color and odor of the flower are factors of greatest importance in 

 the selection of plants for ornamental purposes. However, the 

 all-important function of the flower is reproduction, a subject 

 which will be taken up in the next chapter. 



Parts of the Flower (Fig. 63). The complete flower con- 

 82 



