RANUNCULA CEAE 



21 



49. R. aconitifolius L. (Herm. Muller, ' Alpenblumen,' p. 131; Schulz, 

 'Beitrage.') According to Schulz, the flowers are markedly protandrous in the 

 Riesengebirge. Most of the plants in this district bear blossoms of very varied size, 

 and therefore have a characteristic appearance. 



Visitors. Muller observed the following in the Alps. 7 beetles, 18 flies, 6 

 Hymenoptera, and 4 Lepidoptera. 



50. R. Seguieri Vill. At San Martino according to Schulz some stocks 

 bear purely male flowers. 



51. R. parnassifolius L. (Herm. Muller, 'Alpenblumen,' p. 132.) The 

 flowers are protogynous with stigmas that persist for a long time, so that cross- 

 pollination is at first secured. Self-pollination by the inner stamens becomes possible 



Fig. 7. Ranunculus parnassifolius^ L. (after Herm. Muller). A. Flower in first (female) condition, 

 seen from above ( X 7). All the stigmas are mature, while all the anthers are still closed. B. Flower with 

 five sepals, and two petals, seen from the side (natural size). C. The same with one petal, oblique view 

 from below (natural size). 



later on. Usually only one petal is developed, though sometimes there are two 

 or three (cf. Fig. 7). 



Visitors. In the Alps these are chiefly flies (Muscidae and Syrphidae). 



52. R. amplexicaulis L. The flowers are white. 



Visitors. MacLeod observed in the Pyrenees one bee, one hover-fly, and 

 2 Muscidae. 



53. R. Gouani Willd 



Visitors. MacLeod observed in the Pyrenees 3 species of bee, one hover-fly, 

 and 5 species of Muscidae. 



54. R. hyperboreus Rottb. Lindman states that the flowers are slightly 

 protandrous in the Scandinavian highlands, and the numerous stigmas project so 

 far above the anthers that automatic self-pollination is impossible. In the Arctic 

 regions, throughout which the species is widely distributed, the flowers are remarkably 

 small and according to Warming they are autogamous. 



