LESSER CELANDINE 



ii 



the other parts of the flower. The plant flowers early, at a time when 

 few insects are flying, but none the less it is much visited by insects, 

 which seek honey as well as pollen. The anthers are turned towards 

 the centre at first, but the outer anther-stalks bend so that they lie just 

 above the honey glands at the base of the petals. An insect seeking 

 honey will naturally brush itself with pollen, which it bears to the 

 next flower and deposits on the stigma. The anthers then turn out- 



LESSER CELANDINE {Ranunculus Ficaria, L.) 



Plioto. 15. Hanley 



wards, an adaptation to prevent self-pollination. The next row of 

 stamens then follows suit and the performance is as before. 



In spite of this, as mentioned already, seed is rarely set, and the 

 plant is vegetatively reproduced to a great extent. In some cases only 

 female flowers occur. Early in the season the flowers of most plants 

 possess few, 2-3, petals, those that come on later having as many as 

 eleven. 



The seeds are scattered by the plant itself, being contained in 

 rounded achenes or fruits, which are adapted for dispersal when the 

 achenes are mature and drop off. 



