90 



YELLOW WOOD SORREL. 



The leaves are arranged alternate on the stem, compound, 

 trifoliolate, consisting of a long petiole, with 3 leaflets. 

 The form of these leaflets is a study. They are broad and 

 notched above so as to present 2 rounded lobes at the apex 

 —the cordate form inverted {c), or obcordate. The venation 

 is also to be studied, whether the leaf he jmlmate-trifolioJate, 

 with the leaflets all sessile alike (as if cut from a palmi- 

 veined leaf), or lyinnate-trifoliolate, with the terminal leaflet 



Oxalis stricta : 3, the united stamens ; 4, 5, stamens ; 6, the 5 pistils ; 7, 8, sections 

 of the fruit; 9, seed, 10, testa, 11, nailed ; 12, embryo. 



stalked as in Bulbous Crowfoot (p. 50), or better, in the gar- 

 den Bean. This question let the reader decide. 



inJlo7"esce7ice. — Next arises the inquiry, Where is the 

 axil of the leaf ? It is analogous to the arm-pit — the inner 

 angle between the petiole and the stem («). From this 

 point issues the bud which develops into a branch, and in 

 this case, at least, the peduncle which bears the umbel of 

 flowers. Hence the inflorescence is axillary and umhellateJ^ 



The Flower Regiox. — The flowers of Sorrel, like those 



* Not truly umbellate, however, as it becomes a cyme when the flowers are more 

 than 3 



