ERYTHRONIUM. 31 



broad, growing out of the solid base from which the stem 

 arises. 



The leaves, 2 in all, are placed nearly opposite each 

 other 011 the stem, the lower being the larger. Their rich 

 green color is singularly variegated with purplish and 

 whitish blotches. They stand out on a narrow base a foot- 

 stalk. This is called the petiole, and the expansion of the 

 leaf is the blade. The latter is in outline both elliptical and 

 lanceolate, so that we may style it elliptical-lanceolate. The 

 apex is acute. The margins are even and entire (without 

 teeth or notches). 



Yenalion. The leaf is marked with fine lines running 

 lengthwise in nearly parallel curves corresponding with the 

 contour of the margin. They indicate the course of the 

 veins and show what is called a parallel venation. 



THE FLOWER EEGIO^. The Stalfo which supports the 

 flower is called the peduncle (a term higher in rank than 

 pedicel]. Its top, forming the basis of the flower, is the 

 torus. It bends under the weight of the flower, but bears 

 the fruit erect. 



The Flower is the latest, gayest, and frailest part of the 

 plant. It is solitary, drooping or nodding from the curved 

 top of the peduncle. We can easily count 13 distinct mem- 

 bers or organs composing it. There are 6 lanceolate recurved 

 (bent back) leaflets, and six slender columns, all standing on 

 the torus around one central column. The 6 leaflets together 

 constitute the perianth (Q~r. peri, around, anthos, flower).* 



These 13 may be assorted into 4 groups of organs. The 3 

 outer leaflets, (c) orange-red on the back, are sepals, and 

 together form the calyx (cup, or goblet). The 3 inner are 



* The leaflets of the perianth are recurved more or less according to the hour of 

 the day and the amount of sunlight. At night they close, and gradually open as the 

 day advances, and at midday in a bright sun they are recurved as shown in our cut. 

 See XXI, on the Sleep of plants. 



