290 PHYLUM XIV. ANTHOPHYTA 
Here the flower axis is globularly enlarged somewhat as 
in the Buttercup, and this is covered likewise with many 
spirally arranged carpels (megasporophylls). At the 
base of this globular body of carpels the axis is flattened 
out into a rim or collar, on the margin of which the 
stamens grow in several whorls of 5 or 10 each. On 
this margin there grow also the five rounded, white petals, 
and the five pointed, green sepals, both series in whorls. 
The development of the single ovules 
cS and the production of the egg are 
essentially the same as in the two 
preceding examples. After fertiliza- 
tion the zygote develops into an em- 
Fic. 164,—Vertieal plan Dryo plant consisting of a small stem 
ot fewer nd with a root at one end and two rudi- 
mentary leaves at the other. The 
endosperm which appeared in abundance after fertili- 
zation is here wholly absorbed by the growing embryo, 
so that at maturity the seed contains a large embryo, 
and no endosperm. 
528. While these changes are taking place in the seed 
the carpel enlarges, and the inner layers of the ovary 
cells thicken their walls into sclerenchyma, while the 
outer layers soften into a juicy flesh (parenchyma). The 
ripe carpels are thus very small fruits consisting of a thin 
flesh surrounding a tiny stone, which encloses a single 
seed. The proper fruits of the Strawberry are these 
small ripened carpels. When they fall to the ground the 
contained seed germinates by pushing out the root of 
the embryo, and since there is no remaining endosperm 
this is quickly followed by the escape of the remainder 
of the plant from seed and carpel, when it pushes its stem 
and leaves into the light, becoming an independent plant 
(sporophyte). 
