294 



HORSE-CHESTNUT 



Inflorescence a racemoid panicle with cymose branches. 

 Upper flowers </ by abortion. Floral formula K (6) C 5 (or 4) 

 AS 5 G(3) f disc extrastaminal. Flowers entomophilous, 

 proterogynous, dichogamous and honey-bearing ; in a large 

 erect pyramidal mixed panicle (thyrsus). Galyx greenish ; 

 petals crisped and undulate, white with yellow basal flecks, 



Fig. 113. Horse-chestnut, JEsculus Hippocastanum. A, flower from 

 the side ; J5, the same in longitudinal section ; (7, a petal of same. D, 

 a c? flower in the ? stage, the stigma in position but the anthers as yet 

 immature ; E, the same in the $ stage, in section, the mature anthers now 

 raised; F, a <f flower in section, p. 293 (E and P). 



which turn rosy or purplish ; stamens long and sweeping 

 forwards, then erect. Pollen brick-red, elongated-oblong, 

 smooth, 35 40 x 20 /JL with about 3 longitudinal furrows, 

 striated. Ovary and style glabrous. Fruit large, sub- 

 globose, with coarse prickles, splitting and exposing the 

 large polished brown seed. 



