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PLANTS AND MAN 



in progressive order of flower complexity, representative Dicot 

 families include the Buttercup, Poppy, Mustard, Violet, Saxi- 

 frage, Pea, Rose, Cactus, Mallow, Evening Primrose, Heath, 

 Indian Pipe, Figwort, Mint and Thistle families. Common 

 Monocot families, fewer in number, include the Arum, Lily, 

 Amaryllis, Iris and Orchid families. 



The Buttercup Family 



The Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae) is considered the most 

 primitive of all the Angiosperm families since its flowers have 



Fig. 261. — ^The Buttercup Family includes some species with both petals 

 and sepals in the flower; typical are buttercups (A), columbine (B), baneberry 

 (C) and peony (D). 



separate petals and sepals, often of an indefinite number; in some 

 of the genera the flowers lack petals and in such cases the sepals 

 are like petals in appearance. Many of the species prefer wet 

 habitats. Some are among our most widespread wild flowers. 



Both petals and sepals are characteristic of the buttercup, 

 columbine, baneberry, peony and larkspur genera (fig. 261). 

 There are a dozen or more species of buttercups native to the 

 United States. The leaves are usually divided into narrow lobes, 

 and the flowers have five sepals and five petals, the latter in some 



