280 



BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS 



CHAP. 



EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABOVE TYPE. 



This order is a very large one, and there are many species which 

 depart more or less from the above type. 



Butcher's Broom (Rtiscus aculeatits}. This is the only British 

 monocotyledonous shrub. Stem. It grows in thickness by the produc- 

 tion of a new meristem layer in the cortex ; Leaves. The leaves are 

 very minute, bearing in their axils leaf- like branches (cladodes) ; 



FIG., 271. Daffodil (Narcissus). A, leaves and flower; B, longitudinal section of 

 flower ; C, flower viewed from above ; D, transverse section of stem. (One- 

 fourth nat. size.) 



Flowers. The flowers are minute, and are produced on the face of 

 the cladode ; Stamens. There are only 3 stamens, and the filaments 

 are united into a short stout column. 



Herb-Paris (Paris quadrifolia). This plant differs from monocoty- 

 ledonous plants in having the parts of the flower in fours, and its leaves 

 whorled. Perianth. The perianth consists of 8 segments in 2 series, 

 but varies from 3 to 5 in each whorl ; Stamens. There are usually 

 8 stamens, but these vary from 6 to 10 ; Pistil. There are 4 carpels. 



