466 



GNETALES 



[CH. 



ovule in the female flower being retained in the sterile ovule of the 

 male 1 . 



In contrast to the indefinite, spirally disposed, bracts or 



u 



FIG. 818. Welwitschia mirabilis. Staminate flower (sectional elevation), sub- 

 tending bract and the two missing stamens indicated by dotted lines. (From 

 a drawing kindly supplied by Dr A. H. Church.) 



perianth of Cycadeoidea flowers Welwitschia has only two connate 

 segments, and the staminal disc of Welwitschia is considerably 



1 This account is based on the excellent description with illustrations by 

 Dr Church (14). 



