236 FLOWERS OF THE ROADSIDES AND HEDGES 



Perhaps the most striking feature of the Cuckoo Pint is its curious 

 flower. There is no true stem, and the leaves all spring from the base 

 of the tuberous root, which is used as sago. The leaves are net- 

 veined (which is unusual in monocotyledons), spear- or arrow-shaped, 

 with long lobes behind, the surface glossy green, spotted with black 

 patches (hence the second Latin name), stalked, with sheaths at the 

 base, enclosing the spathe, triangular and channelled above. 



The inflorescence of this monoecious plant, with male and female 



Photo. K. Hanley 



LORDS AND LADIES (Arum macidatuin, L.), with the spathes open, after pollination 



flowers, consists of a spadix, club-shaped, pink or purple, narrow below, 

 borne on a smooth, rounded scape, and enclosed within a thin, white 

 spathe, often yellowish-green, swollen below; and at the base are the 

 oval ovaries. Below, the stamens and the stigmas are bearded with 

 long hairs. No styles are found. The spathe falls off when ripe. 

 The berries are scarlet. 



Cuckoo Pint is a foot high, and flowers about April and May. 

 It is perennial, propagated by seeds. 



Cuckoo Pint is proterogynous, and the female flowers open first 

 and lose the chance of being pollinated before the anthers on the same 

 plant, which are above, are ripe. So that it is necessary for fresh 



