CONIFERS. 



261 



semble the vegetative leaves ; they have also a fleshy aril (Fig. 

 262 1, J3'). Podocarpus (40 species, East Asia, S. Temp.) ; the 

 bracts of the female flowers become fleshy, and unite together ; 

 only 1 or 2 are of use in supporting the flowers. The ovules 



A 



FIG. 2G2. A Microcachrys : female cone (f). A' A single carpel with its ovule. J?" 

 Dacrydium : branch with female flower ( T ). B' The flower; cp the bract; ar the aril; ov 

 ovule. C Podocarpus : female flower with 2 ovules. D Another female flower with 1 ovule, 

 in longitudinal section. 



project high above the apex of the bract, and are anatropous, the 

 micro pyle being turned downwards (Fig. 262 C, D}. An aril 

 commences to develope in the flowering period as an external 

 coating, and later on it becomes fleshy and coloured. 



C. TAXEJ:. The female flower is reduced to one ovule, which is. 

 situated terminally on an axis which bears 2-3 pairs of opposite, 

 scale-like bracteoles ; on this account the Taxea? form a very 

 isolated group among the Conifer. 

 Taxus (T. baccata, the Yew-tree). 

 Dioecious. The female flower con- 

 sists of only one ovule, placed at the 

 end of a short secondary branch 

 (Fig. 264), which is studded with 

 scale-like leaves. The aril when 

 ripe is thick, fleshy, and scarlet 

 (sometimes yellow), and only 

 loosely envelopes the seed (Fig. 

 263). The leaves are scattered, 



FIG. 263. Taxus baccata : branch 



flat, linear, and pointed (Fig. 263, with two ripe seeds (nat. size). 



