132 



ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN BOTANY 



individual members are called petals, is variously and usually 

 brightly colored, forming the showy part of the flower. 

 In fact, it is the corolla that usually gives character and at- 

 traction to the flower. These general statements in reference 

 to the calyx and corolla must not be applied too rigidly. 

 For example, the calyx may be brightly colored and showy, 



FIG. 102. Flower of tobacco : A, sympetalous corolla ; B, tube of corolla cut open and 

 showing stamens ; C, the pistil (carpels), showing ovary and style (the stigma forms 

 the surface of the knob-like tip of the style). After STRASBURGER. 



the corolla may not be showy or even colored, both sets may 

 be showy, neither set may be showy or colored, etc. 



The general roles played by calyx and corolla have to do 

 with the sporophylls. The calyx protects the young and 

 growing parts within while the flower is in bud. The showy 

 corolla is related in some way to the visits of certain insects 

 (as bees, butterflies, moths, etc.), which become agents in 

 transporting pollen (pollination , see 73, p. 125). This sub- 



