ANGIOSPEBMAE 



633 



the foliage leaves to the numerous free perianth leaves, stamens, and carpels borne 

 on the depressed floral axis. The connection of the Rosaceae may perhaps be here. 



Family 6. Ranunculaeeae. The plants belonging to this family 

 are annual herbs (Myojsurus), more commonly perennial herbs (Calthd) 

 or rarely woody plants (species of Paeonia) with alternate, exstipulate 

 leaves. Flowers hermaphrodite, the members in many cases arranged 



FIG. ii37. Floral diagrams of Raimnculaceae. A, Adonis autumnalis. B, Aconitinn nupdlus. 

 C, Aquilegia vulgari*. D, Cimiclfugn racemosa. (After EICHLER.) 



spirally; this is very evident in Myosurus. Perianth either forming 

 a simple or double perigone (Aconitiim) or differentiated into calyx 

 and corolla (Ranunculus). Stamens indefinite. Pollen-grains with at 

 least three places of exit for the pollen- tubes. Carpels three to 

 indefinite, borne on the convex receptacle (Fig. 638), and forming an 

 apocarpous, superior ovary. Ovules, borne on the ventral suture, 



FIG. 638. a. Flower of li'inunculus sceleratun ; b, the same, cut through longitudinally ; 

 magnified. (After BAILLON.) 



singly or in numbers. The partial fruits are follicles (Paeonia), 

 achenes (Anemone), or berries (Hydrastis). Seed with a small embryo 

 enclosed within the large, oily endosperm. 



IMPORTANT GENERA. Many of our commonest meadow and woodland plants 

 belong to this order. They are all in greater or less degree poisonous. A number 

 of species of Ranunculus, characterised by the usually yellow flowers, convex 

 receptacle, and fruit composed of numerous free achenes, occur in Britain. The 

 petals have a nectary at the base. Leaves palmately divided more or less deeply. 

 R. sceleratus is very poisonous (Figs. 638, 639). R. arvensis with large, spiny 



