144 



GROWTH AND WORK OF PLANTS 



fertilization, the ovule and embryo together making the seed. 



The style is the short, slender portion of the pistil, and bears the 



stigma at its apex. When the 

 seed ripens the ovary remains 

 closed and firmly surrounds 

 the seed. This forms a one- 

 seeded fruit, which is known 

 as an akene. 



232. A flower like the 

 buttercup, which has all 

 four series of members, is 

 called a complete flower, and 

 because it has both stamens 

 and pistils it is known as a 

 perfect flower. Because the 

 petals are distinct from each 

 other it is called polypetalous, 

 i.e., having many petals. Be- 

 cause all of the parts are free 

 and distinct (that is, not joined 

 to ether members, or to mem- 

 bers of the same set or whorl) 

 it is a simple flower. 



233. The part of the 

 flower to which these differ- 

 ent members are attached is 

 the receptacle. The receptacle 

 is a more or less broadened 

 part of the stem. It has not 

 elongated, and thus the mem- 

 bers of the flower, which belong to the same series of plant 

 parts as the leaves, are very much crowded. The pistils being 

 in the center of the flower, therefore stand highest upon the stem, 

 that is, at its apex. All the other members of the buttercup 

 flower are successively below the pistil and are therefore said to 

 be hypogenous, i.e., underneath the pistil. 



Fig. 105. 



Flower shoot of evening primrose (CEnothera 

 biennis). Flower buds at apex, opening 

 flowers next, and fruits forming below. Inde- 

 terminate inflorescence. 



