FLOWERS OF HIGH ALTITUDES 103 



others that have either stamens alone or pistils alone. 

 Because it bears both kinds of flowers on the same 

 plant, Veratrum is said to be "polygamous." 



The perianth is fashioned of thick material not 

 unlike that of the magnolia flower. If there has 

 been plenty of snow the previous winter, most of 

 the spires are as pure a cream as the cream cup. If 

 the winter has been "dry" which is only a com- 

 parative term as Veratrum only blooms at heights 

 which are sure to have some snowfall the flowerets 

 come out a creamy green tint. Either the more 

 moisture or the longer rest under snow blankets 

 effects the color. Of course, any year, there are 

 always some blossoms that do not shade to green. 

 The six segments of the perianth contract in the 

 lower part and are united in the base of the ovary. 

 The six stamens are attached opposite them, but free 

 from them. The ovary has three styles which curve 

 outward from the center and which remain even 

 after the seed is mature. 



Veratrum wishes winged creatures to help in her 

 fertilization. It covers the lower part of the flower 

 stalk and sometimes the base of the flowers them- 

 selves with a white matted wool, in which any 

 crawling insects would soon become entangled. Be- 

 ing polyamous, only the blossoms in which there 

 are pistils whether a perfect or a pistillate flower- 

 form capsules. With such a dense florescence, Vera- 



