142 



GROWTH AND WORK OF PLANTS 



I. FLOWERS OF DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



The Buttercup. 

 (Ranunculus.} 



227. Almost any of the species of buttercup will answer for 

 the study of the flower. This study is made from the tall or 

 meadow buttercup. It is common in fields and roadsides, 

 especially in the Northern States and Canada, from May to Sep- 

 tember. The flowers are bright yellow and are borne two or 

 three or more in loose corymbs. 



Fig. 103. 



Flower of buttercup (Ranunculus acris) with petals removed and arranged at left. 

 flower at the right has the sepals, stamens and pistils. 



The 



228. The calyx. The outer whorl of members of the flower 

 is the calyx. In the buttercup the calyx consists of five distinct 

 members. Each member or part of the calyx is known as a 

 sepal. In the meadow buttercup the sepals are elliptical in form 



