Classification of Plants 



339 



species the stigma is undivided, and since the stamens ripen 

 first the flower cannot fertilize itself. It was Epilobium which 

 led Conrad Sprengel to make the discovery of dichogamy, or 

 the unequal ripening of stamen and pistil. 



Montinia, which is described in Chapter XIV, also belongs 

 to this order. 



Order UMBELLIFER^E. 



Plants of this order can usually be easily recognized. Many 

 are herbs with stout stems hollow between the nodes. In 



FIG. 318. Bubon Galbanum, L. I. Flower. II. Floral diagram. (From 

 Edmonds and Marloth's " Elementary Botany for South Africa".) 



South Africa, as in the case of so many other plants, the flower- 

 ing stalks often appear after the leaves, which have prepared 

 food to be stored in underground reservoirs. 

 They have alternate, exstipulate, much-divided 

 leaves sheathing the stem. Or the leaves may 

 be entire with narrowed petioles. The flowers 

 are usually arranged in compound umbels with 

 an involucre. Sepals 5, small. Petals 5 or 

 none, usually regular, but the outer petals of 

 the outer flowers are often longer, reminding us 

 of the ray flowers of the Sunflower family. 

 Stamens 5. Ovary inferior, 2 -parted. On the 

 top of the ovary is a disc where the honey is 

 exposed to short-tongued flies, though bees visit 

 the flowers also. When ripe, the dry schizocarp 

 splits apart ; the two carpels are supported on a forked stalk 

 which runs up between them. The fruit may be flattened, on 

 both sides or at the backs of the carpels. Carpels i-ovuled. 



22 * 



FIG. 319. Fruit 

 of the Fennel : 

 a, carpophore. 

 (From Thom( 

 and Bennett's 

 "Structural 

 and Physiolo- 

 gical Botany".) 



