THE SPRING FLORA 189 



How many years of growth are represented in 

 your specimen ? Is the aerial stem a product of a 

 terminal or of a lateral bud ? How is the growth 

 of the stern continued after the production of the 

 annual aerial stem ? Does the rhizome branch 

 underground ? 



b. Aerial stem. Compare the general form and structure 



of the aerial stem and rhizome. Are there nodes, 

 internodes, buds, and branches ? 



c. Leaves. Study the leaves and their venation. Compare 



their form and venation with that described in 

 the text. 



(7. Drawing. Construct a drawing to illustrate the main 

 structural features mentioned above. 



3. Anatomy. Cut transverse sections of the underground and 



aerial stems and stain with, iodine. 



a. Compare the two sections as regards the disposition of 



the skeletal, storage, and vascular systems. What is 

 the main function of the rhizome ? of the aerial stem ? 

 Is the structure of each stem adapted for its work ? 



b. Construct outline sketches of each stem to illustrate 



the distribution of the three classes of tissues men- 

 tioned above. 



4. Reproduction. 



a. Inflorescence. Are the flowers solitary or do they form 



an inflorescence ? If an inflorescence is present, to 

 what class does it belong ? 



b. Flowers. 



(1) Structure and floral plan. Compare the structure 

 and floral plan of the flower that you are studying 

 with that of a typical monocotyledon, like Trades- 

 cantia, described in the text. Is the flower perfect, 

 complete, and regular? 



