THE PLANT 



45 



that is not correct. If you look closely you will find in the 

 spring very small flowers on the elm and on the maple, while 

 the ear and the tassel are really the blossoms of the corn 



Pistil Pistil ~, nme 

 Stamen Stamen 



Petal 



Stigma 



Sepal 



FIG. 31. A BUTTERCUP 



plant. Although they may sometimes seem very curious 

 flowers, yet every plant that produces seed has flowers. 



Let us see what a flower really is. Take, for example, a 

 buttercup, cotton, tobacco, 

 or plum blossom (see Figs. 

 31 and 32). You will find 

 on the outside a row of 

 green leaves inclosing the 

 flower when it is still a 

 bud. These leaves are the 

 sepals. Next on the inside 

 is a row of colored leaves, 

 or petals. Arranged inside 

 of the petals are some 

 threadlike parts, each with a knob on the end. These are the 

 stamens. Examine one stamen closely (Fig. 33). On the 

 knob at its tip you should find, if the flower is fully open, 



Ovary 



FIG. 32. A PLUM BLOSSOM 



